Pine Bluff daily graphic. (Pine Bluff, Ark.) 1893-1942, 1911-11-10

to LOOK into the luelLdl COHulCioll "a
Alexander will hear the statements
of many expert witnesses today. M
few local doctors have been summon !
ed to give their views Of the defen- /!
dant's mental and physical condition !!
Ii after the testimony is all In the
jury should find that Alexander IS
insane he will be committed to the
state insane asylum. If on the other
hand their findings should be that
he is sane and fully capable of stand
ing trial he will then be placed upon
trial for the murder of Kelly.
Attorney w. B. Sorrells, who with
his law partner, Attorney A. T. White
law, and Attorney Van Williams fe-
present the defendant, made hare
fight to get continuance of the c5se
on the ground that Alexander was
mentally and physically ineapacitated.
He presented additional affidavits 20
show that Alexander was not able
to go to trial at this time. Among
them We're two affidavits from M
Sorrells and Mr. Whitelaw, in which
they declared that they had been I'M
able to get any information concern
ing the case from their client, that
he had never given them any infor-
nation concerning The details of the
murder of which he is charged, had
never mentioned any witnesses to be
summoned in his behalf nor in any
| other manner has Alexander aided
his counsel in their efforts to prepare
for his trial.
Mr.. Sorrells took occasion in argu-
| ing the motion for continuance be-
| fore Judge Grace in chambers TO
/ criticise the states attorney and 9th
| err counsel for the defense in their
efforts to prevent 70, delay Of the trial,
declaring that it appeared to him as
if they were trying to job Alexander
and had thirst for, his blood. He
severely criticised Dr.. T. W. Woodu,,
who, at the suggestion of District At
torney Nixon, remained in cell with
the prisoners physical and mental
condition. DR.. Woodul presented an
affidavit for the state to the effect
that Alexander showed absolutely no
signs of insanity and that he showed
no symptoms of alcoholic dementia.
Mr.. Sorrells said that he did not
consider it in accordance with pro-
fessional ethics for a physician t,
remain in filthy prison just to help
break the neck of en unfortunate
man--who seemed doomed to the ga
lows.
Congressman Stephen A. Brundidge
and District Attorney Nixon both ar
gued for an immediate disposition Of
the case. Congl essman Brundidga
cited authorities, cases that were al
, most identical, where the Supreme
Court of Arkansas had held that i
was entirely for the court to decide
as to whether man, thought to b;
j. insane. should be adiudged mental.
, and physically able to stand trial
He reviewed the contents of affidavit
of experts who had informed thu
), court that Alexander's condition W.
not such as to make him unfit TO
f trial or to prevent him from com
fering intelligently with his counse
or anyone else, saould be so desire
Mr.. Nixon argued that Alexande
q was sane and that he was fe gnin;
= insanity. He could not understanl
he said, why counsel for the defense
:, who had given notice to the state Z M
the court some days ago that the.
intended to rely upon tie insanif
, plea for their client. could not salts
Il factorily confer with his counsel II
V this time. They had plenty of time
a he said, to arrange for the defens
of Alexander and that there was alb
solutely no 1e son at this time VIII
tie defendant should not go to trial
=
sleeps we'll, talked intelligently O
all topics and was fully capable o
advising his attorneys in his case.
Throughout the day the court roof
was crowded with spectators an
jurors, who had been summoned, o
well as many witnesses. AleXande
maintained that same Indifference t
his surroundings Throughout the da
as char cterized his demeanor o
!. the previous day. He sat in cha
"a just inside the, rail, ST ring disir
). terestedly at a spot just before hi.
10 on the Judges bench and never spok
:. one word to anyone. His wife wa
again seated bes lie Tim while Mr.
81 J. B. Kelly, widow, and tie childre
= of the man Alexander killed, remain
cd i'm bench ont side the rail