The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1910-09-21
FIGHT IS BEGUN
TO>SAYE CHARLTON
Self-COnfeSsed Slayer of His
Wife to Enter Insanity
Plea.

JERSEY CITY, y J.. Sept sl.-The
fight I'D save Young Porter Charlton,
who confessed 20 killing his wife. Mary
Scott castle Charlton. and throwing her
body In Lake Como, italy. on the night
Of June : last, and who was caught in
Hoboken while landing from steamer
after a orld-wide search. vas started
today e.. the Hudson county cfimIna!
court
The hearing today had FOR its object
the taking of testimony TO ascertain
whether Charlton is insane or whether
lie should bc turned over to the Italian
government TO stand trial on a charge
OF murder
For months aIIenis.s. employed by
Judge Paul Cha-I,ou father Of the ac-
cuSed vouth have been examining Por-
ter. and elaborate reports have been
written upon his mental condition for
me submission TO Judge John a Blair,
and Tire court Prosecuting Attorney
Pierre GaUvan. Of Hudson county, tech
nioally renresentinG the italian govern
ment as the prosecutor, has been as
sisted in preparing his case against
Charlton by Lawyer EH.H F~ucns. rep
reSentinr Capt II H scott the brother
OF The murdered woman. who is deter
mined TO be legally avenged for his
sisters death
Hope For Insanity Verdict.
Attorney Edwin r smith. counsel for
Charlton, said hat ne believed that the
fndinus Of his alienisJs would prove
5hc ~ccused man Incapable Cf answering
1o . charge OF murder in court. The 0e-
Tense, through its alienisJs has set up
the claim that Charlton is suffering
from ad5lescent insanity. and that he
cannot be held responsible for his crime
It was said today before court opened
that a searching investigation had been
made Of Charlton's past life 10 deter
mine Whether his actions indicated men
tai weakness
TOday-s chapter in the sensational in
ternatiOnai case involving love, sudden
marriage. jealous hatred and finally
murder, came after a long delay while
Charlton was confined IN the Hudson
county jail The accused youth plainly
showed the effect Of his confinement in
the unnatural pauOr which Ovsrspread
his face
New points in international criminal
law were promised in tOday's hearings
and SUBSEQUENT negotiations between tie
governments IN addition TO the insanity
plea the defense has been preparing ad-
didonal data 40 show that no extradi-
uol clause exists between America and
Italy 10 allow the latter government TO
take the prisoner back TO Europe for
trial
ChaTltCn's Father Assists.
Judge Paul Charlton, himself on ex-
pert IN International law, has greatly
assisted counsel for the defense in prep
arations Tor the case
Captain Scott promised to produce let
ts-s written to him by Charlton after his
marriage 10 SCOTS. sister which gave
no hint Of insanity
Charlton was arrested as he walked
down the gang plank OF a returning
steamer on June - At first he denied
the crime bot later broke down and
confessed, signing his name To a writ
ten confession in which he gave the de-
tails of the tragedy and the circum-
stances which led UP TO it. He declared
that both he and his wife were subjects
OF blind rage and while in one Of these
par0Xysms he slew her by beating her
over the head with maIIet.
Mrs Charlton was woman Of eX-
CeptEGnai beauty She had been 1irDn
the stage at one time and had written
2 CrediUable play