Los Angeles herald., 1909-10-09
EXPERTS CALL
RlTCHIE INSANE
SUFFERING WITH EMOTIONAL
DULLNESS, SAYS DOCTOR
ExToRTIoN TRIAL NEARs END IN
SUPERIOR COURT
Man Charged with Effort to Obtain
BIackmail from Banker Preserves
suien Attitude and Refuses
10 Look at Wife

"Roland r. Ritchie is suffering with
emotional dullness," said Dr. Charles l..
Allen. who was called as an expert by
the defense yesterday in Ritchie's trial
on a charge of sending threatening Iet-
tors 70 William l., Graves in April for
the purpose of extorting money from
the banker. ILL.,
Taking of testimony on both sides
was closed shortly before 4 o'clock, and
Deputy Attorney Ford delivered ms
opening argument to the Jury before
court adjourned until $3.50 O'CLOCK 70
day. 1t is probable the case Will go 10
the Jury by noon.
During the testimony of DR.. George
w. Campbell, who was called by the
defense to testify as to Ritchie mental
condition, a slight sensation was caused
by the collapse of the young ueIeu-
dants mother who apparently mas DeeI
undergoing a heavy strain during @ @tle
trial. She was carried to an ADJOINING
room, and physicians attending the
trial as witnesses were called TO au-
minister restoratives. Mrs. Ritchle was
able to return to the courtroom an hour
later. .-zo,.
The prosecutions efforts yesterday
were directed to showing that Rltchle
was insane when he made ms WriIteI WII6ad
demands on Banker Graves for $5oOO'
threatening him with death If these
demands were not acceded TO. Dr'
Charles L. Allen was called as an eX-
pert on mental diseases.
In response to a lengthy hypothetical
question propounded by Attorney Nor
man B. Sterry, DR.. Allen said:
TT is my belief that Ritchie IS sut-,
fering from emotional dullness,' ana
when asked to explain, he added:
Explains Emotional Dullness
Emotional, dullness is manifested by
Ritchie's Indifference toward his Wlte
and friends, toward whom ne had De-
fore shown affection. He is also care
less and Indifferent regarding matters
in which he took u great interest at one
time"
Drs George w. Campbell and DR.. D.
c. Barber also stated they had exam
ined Ritchie and believed he was IN
sane when he sent the letters to Mr..
Graves. The cause of the trouble they
said. is an insidious disease with Whlcn
Pitchie had become afflicted six years
ago. II
sIrroundings testified to by DR.. Allen
was manifested yesterday as on the
first day of the trial. For two days ms
wife has occupied a chair next to Where
he sat, but during that time ne mas not
glanced in her direction once nor
spoken word to her or to any other
person in the courtroom. To all APP
pearance he has not heard one word OF
the testimony.
A surprise was created late in the
day when a witness called to give re-
buttal testimony for the prosecution
stated in his opinion Ritchie was in
sane at the time he wrote the letters
to Mr.. Graves. This witness was A. A.
Adams, tax agent for the Huntington
interests, whose office is near to that
in which tie accused man was en-
ployed.
II knew Ritchie we'll about year, "
said Adams. He was always genial
and lively until a month before his
arrest, when he became sullen and
morose, an entire change in his manner
taking place"
Ritchie's young wife also was a wit
ness, stating she had noticed gradual
change for the worse in his condition
during several weeks before his arrest
Since then, she said, she had been
unable to make him realize his position
or that ne had committed crime.