Norwich bulletin., 1911-11-23
torney General.


 Wednesday at Springfield in the trial Of Bertram G. Spencer. charged with the murder of Miss Martha B. Black stone, a school teacher the direct evil denee for both the prosecution and the defense had been submitted and the prosecution had introduced considera- tle rebuttal testimony In less than a week, it was predicted, the fate of the defendant, whose sensational ac- tions in the courtroom have attracted wide attention, will have been decided. Insane When He Killed.
 The defense ended it's direct evil dence before the taking of the noon recess with the testimony of prominent alienists- Three physicians, Doctors ! Edward B. Lane, Joseph w. Courtney ] and L. V. Briggs, all of Boston. testi- i fled that after thorough examinations -Iley were Of the opinion that the ac- cused man was insane at the time he killed Miss Blackstone.
 With the closing of the direct case Ui Witnesses to the stand. All were ac- quaintances of the prisoner and their ev+cence was largely to the effect that they never saw anything unusual or ee eeoentric in his actions or habits. Tears TrickIed Down Face. i With the exception of an outbreak early in the day, when he made vio- lent demonstration against Attorney General James NJ Swift, Spencer was of 2 more peaceable disposition Wed
 
 muttered to himself. and again tears were seen triclSling down his face. For the most part, however. he appeared to be taking but little interest in what was going on about him.
 i. Spencer's Second Outburst.
 Soon after the opening of Wednes- days session the prisoner indulged in another outburSt of violence in the courtroom, Attorney General James NJ Swift being the especial object of his wrath. As Attorney General Swift mentioned the name Of Miss Dow Spencer began to show signs of anger. He muttered to himself and moved uEeasily in his cage Looking at the attorney general. Spencer shouted in
 ''TIi give you something."
 Swift Smiles at Him.
 MT. Swift turned Ieisurely, looked into the face of the prisoner. and smiled. The smile seemed to put Spencer into d frenzy. He jumped to his feet and began to curse the attor- ney general.
 Turnkey Wade, the defendants guard, soon overpowered the prisoner and forced him back into his seat.
 The prisoners wife put her hand through the bars of the cage and tried Ic soothe her husband. but he thrust l her hand away and cried at her saw agely: let me alone"
 For time it appeared that Spencer's anser at his wife was almost as in tense as that directed against MT. Swift. Spencer, however, was soon restrained.
 Spectators Eauer to See All. ! During Spencer's outburst of rage most of the spectators in the court room stood up in order to see what was going on. Sheriff E. P. Clark rapped for order and ordered all rer- sons to be seated. Most of the spec tators needed the command but half 2 Tnzav7 court procedure and etiquette, remain ed standing.
 Judge Crosby then directed that all persons who had not obeyed the sher- if be elected and three or four wom- CT were escorted into the corridor by the court officers.
 Expert Testimony.
 Spencer was insane and irresponsible and controlled by irresistible impulses a the time of Miss BlackstoneS nur- der. according to the testimony of Dr. Joseph Courtney, in charge of the wards for the insane at the Carney Swift. in cross examining pr. Court ney, said that Spencer. while in the Dow home. pulled down a window screen on the north side of the house
 Say. judge" called out the prisoner at this stage of the Droceedings,- those shades were down. I never knew there was anyone in the house when I went there. Don't let him tell you that iie.'
 
 Another Boston expert on mental diseases, Dr. T.. Vernon Brigss. follow ed Dr. Courtney on the stand. Dr. F:riggs like the previous witness. testi- between right and wrong and was in- sane at the time of the murder.
 Visit to Brideewater.
 Dr. Briggs also said that he had wis ited the Bridgewater hospital for the criminal insane after Mrs Spencer. the nrIS0nPrS' her had informed him that Spencer had told her was being abused. Dr. Briggs said his visit to bridsewater convinced him that Snen- Ger was being well treated but was suffering from deiusions that he was being abused. On cross examination Dr. Briggs told of conversation he had with the pris- oner on Nov. 8 last. Spencer. the wit stances where he found it impossible to refrain from robbing. Once Spencer said he found himself out in the street in his night clothes and walked three miles in an attempt to overcome his impulse to rob. On the way home he said he stole a floor mop and was sat- isfied Once Spencer told the witness he left a theater to rob. Spencer said that V hen he was robbing 9 building he always took things that were bright Sometimes he wanted to take the whole house he was in-
 Defense Rests. When the cross examination of Dr. Briggs was concluded the defense rest ed it's case and the commonwealth at Cncc opened it's rebutt2l District At torrey Callahan conducting the exam ira ton in place of Attorney General Swift.
 Lebanon Witnesses Heard. Five witnesses, all of Lc5anon. Conn. ! - -