The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1913-01-17
INSANITY HEARING IN THE
PURPURA MURDER CASE

he had never noticed any. marksd &C
inssnisy. he sssssS IA he Il oS az
time bad essA sngASsd TO marry the
daughter Of the detsndant but that
pHrpsrA had rsha.sd to allow the mar.
further attentions to his. Purpura's.
oauenter. On cross examination he
stated that when Purpura was con-
nned In an asylum In Cleveland, o..
he. tho. witness. had accompanied
rurpura's sons to that city to visit
Clyde McPeak Of Newark. O.. was
an eye witness Of the murder and
testified ~ to the manner In which
the blows were struck. On croes-ex-
animation he stated that the defen.
can't and Loprsste were talking to-
Elsie Chattsrsou testified to having
seen the men Converting near the II.
4 o. station and that he saw P,r.
pura knock Loprests down but was
not close enough to zee whether or
not iurpura had used q knife.
puios bad . s.Ss f SSos osorss
Tor q number Of ysars and both stat
cd that they had never noticed any
strange actions on his part.
Domonick .Jsbbia testified that he
nad Known both the murdered man
s sna the dssendant for 20 years but
nad never known them TO have any
trouble. sxospt q small business dif-
perence about four years ago. He
stated that he had never noticed any
marks OF insanity In his acquaintance
with Purpura.
Dave Loprsste.- another son of the
muroereo man. next testified that he
had Known Pufpura for some time but
that BE- had always appeared sane. He
stated that he had accompanied his
father to the hospital after the cutting
and that on the way there his father
nad aid This 10 the second attempt
but he finally got me-" Court was
then adjourned until 100 o'clock.
Afternoon Session.
Court was re-convened at l.3O
o'clock and the first witness during
the afternoon session to be called was
Paul Jebbia. who stated that he had
known the defendant for many years
and during this time had had bust
ness dealings with him. He had not
noticed any actions upon the part of
the defendant that would indicate in
sanity.
Squire R. G. Hobbs was then called
and testified that the prisoner had
been arraigned in his court on three
separate times charged with insanity
put had been dismissed upon all or
the charges upon the recommended
ton OF the county physician.
Dr. A. l. Armbrecht, a county ply
sicinn. was then called and stated
that he had on two occasions that he
recalled and possibly three. recon-
, on Insanity charges. He stated that
he could ascertain the number OF
times by referring to his records and
was ordered to do so by the court.
he will again be called TO testify anu
10 produce the records in court
q ~ nj ill
sician. was next called and stated
that. on two occasions. he had recon-
! mended that Purpura be discharged
/ upon an insanity charge.
DIR. Mccoy. who treated Lopreste
following his injuries inflicted by P,Ir.
pura. told OF the nature OF the
wounds
Son Of Prisoner.
Matthew PurLura. a son OF the pris-
oner. Was called TO testify. and at
some length told OF the strange ac-
lions of his father at various times
/ He stated that his father rested under
the Authorization that Lopreste was his
enemy and was injuring his reputation
by telling bad tales concerning him
He stated further that his fathers
mind would wander at various times,
and on one occasion that the father
arose from HIS bed about midnight
and ordered Mrs. Purpura 10 place
food on the table. The witness said
that this was done 20 humor the faith
er. who said that he was about to en-
terrain nobility The witness said
that SO far as he knew his father anc
Lopreste had never had any business
differences. and attributed the murder
to the state OF mind that came over
/ his father AZ times
DR.. r. r. Plant was then called
and testified that he had examined the
mental condition upon several occa-
sions after his Incarceration in the
county jail. Dr. Plant said that Pur-
pura was suffering from clots on the
brain. which caused him TO bleed at
the nose. and that. according TO the
history Of the man. be had been in
sane at Intervals for number OF
years. The physician was asked to
examine Purpura in court 10 ascertain
II his nose was still bleeding. and an
examination showed that the nose was
clotted with blood.
Produced Record
! DR.. Plant stated that he. with DIR
/ BippUs and an Interpreter. had Wis
tied Furpura In the county Jail and
questioned him. The questions and
answers were all recorded by the
court stenogTspher and were read I'm
court. The testimony given By Pur-
( pura ~ the examination IN the county
jail was read to the jury by the Pros.
ecutor. and was ~ the effect that he
+ tPurpural went 20 the jail becausg he
vas troubled. He -aid that he va on
the way 70 the Jail when he met Io-
presto. and that Lopreste walked
across the street 20 meet him. lie
said that he knew Lopresis Intended
10 XIII him. 40 no opened his knife
and cut l)opreste on the face Pur.
pura stated that on previous coca.
sion LoBre-te had called his U'ir.
pura'sl wife bad names. and that no
PurpurnJ had then tried 10 stick 10
presto with hatpin he also said
that he was sorry no had killed 10
presto. but that n 70 was wrong he
vac ready ~ die
After being asked "A foW unfurprf