Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1909-04-16
Or. SWEENEY, PROMINENT SPEC.
lALIsT, TEsTIFlEs IN NINA.
MARA CASE.
TESTIMONY UNsHAkEN
ON cRoss-ExAMINArIoN.
Defense Claims Some Of His Declara-
tons Are Strong Points in Their
Contention Of Mental Deficiency
Witness Discusses Learnedly Freaks
of the Mind.
,cial to Times-Republican.

Sweeney, of ST. Paul, expert medical
witness for the state in the Mcnamara
case was in the hands of attorneys for
defense all yesterday afternoon. His
direct testimonyS in answer to hypoth-
etical questions lpropounded by the
state, was not weakened, altho he cor
roborated the theory of the defense in
many particulars when asked his opin-
ion as to what certain peculiarities of
the deceased indicated. Turnout the ex-
animation DIR. Sweeney showed an I'M
derstanding of his subject that en-
abled him to answer all questions
promptly and decisively. Altho being
questioned by one of the shrewdest
trial lawyers in Iowa he was at no
time embarrassed, but defense said his
testimony strengthened its case in
many points.
A Fair Witness.
DR.. Sweeney was at all times abso-
lutely fair and candid in his answers
to questions, and left the impression
upon those who heard him that he was
man who had a good understanding
Of the details of nervous and mental
diseases, broad as that subject is. De-
PENDANTS attorney drew out of the
witness opinions concerning peculiar
|ities in Eds personality or life, which
corroborate the testimony given by the
experts introduced by the defense.
When asked if the lack of the sense
of play, was not abnormal, and an in
dication of imbecility, DR.. Sweeney said
that it was and also that an abnormal
affection for any one, even for the sup
posed persons mother is indicative of
weak mind. When questioned as to
| what is indicated by the shape and size
of the head, Dr. Sweeney said that those
things are important features, which
should be taken into consideration. He
said further that personal examina-
ton and acquaintance with the pa
tent is another essential in forming
| a correct opinion as to sanity or in
sanity.
| The Subconscious Mind.
| Concerning the lack of intelligent ex-
preston in the eyes of the supposed
person, an interesting comparison be-
| tween a person committing an insane
act and a sleep walker, was brought
out, to the effect that there is the
same lack Of lustre look in the eye
present in both cases. And that the ap-
pearance Of the subject at the time of
committing the act, and the testimony
of people who saw him at the time,
and noticed the look in his eyes, and
other peculiarities is highly important
in determining sanity or insanity.
Emotional insanity, and the yielding
to uncomfortable impulses is common
in weak minds, altho they often strug-
gle against these impulses. 1t is also
possible for people of normal minds
ordinarily to suddenly yield to such an
| impulse.
That degenerates "fall down. when
they try to carry out the projects
which their minds conceive, is also a
fact, and in this light a railroad plan
such as the accused has when he want
ed to reorganize the Mason City ter
minals should be considered in arriv-
ing at an opinion, and that it might
evidence failing mentality.
| Weak minded persons, said the doc
tor, magnify the Importance of incon-
sequential things, and do not remem-
Der more important things. This ac-
counts for his remembering the story
about the sand storm he saw in Tex
as, and about the rattle snakes in
North Dakota, when he could not de-
scribe more important things which
came to his knowledge. This same line
Of argument also accounts for his re-
membering so clearly the David Har-
UNI story, or the geographical catch
question about the two rivers, con-
corning which Paulson testified. Mr..
Markley's last question was concern
| ing grief as a factor in causing insan-
| ity. DR.. Sweeney said that it was Of
ten a great factor.
sweeney Aids States Case.
| DR.. Arthur Sweeney, of st. Paul, the
| well known specialist in nervous and
! mental diseases, testified on behalf of
the state that Ed Mcnamara was sane
and knew right from wrong and the
consequences Of his act when he shot
his father last December. Defense OBJ
jected to states hypothetical question
on the ground that 1t did not contain a
full or fair statement, of the case, but
was overruled. The reading of the
question took about an hour.
| DR.. Sweeney seems to be we'll quail
| fed as an expert. He is a graduate of
Fordham, N. Y, Of Harvard University
Medical College. and for two years
was on the staff Of the nervous and
mental diseases division Of the Massa-
chusetts General Hospital.
Since. then he has at times had to do
| with work at the Danvers and the
Nolan asylums in Massachusetts,. For
sixteen years back he has been a
specialist in nervous and mental dis
eases, practicing at st. Paul and prac-
tees as consulting physician all over
the northwest. He has for many years
been an examiner in insanity for the
probate court Of Ramsey county, Mimi,
and has charge Of all cases of nervous
and mental trouble in most of st.
Paul's many hospitals, including the
city and county, st. Luke's and Luther.
DIR. Sweeney said that in his opinion
the accused man was sane when he
committed the act, could tell right
from wrong, and could realize the con-
sequences Of hi. act After answering
the direct questions about the condi-
ton Of the man in the hypothetical
case, he was asked many questions
about symptoms which the defense
claims indicate an unsound mind His
testimony as far as dt goes Is the best
and strongest yet offered by the state.
Sioux City Man Suicide.
Sioux City. April &c. Tucker.
fnrOnriefor nf q n1oat market commit.