The Pensacola journal., 1914-12-23

homicide Mr.. Hough was insane and
because of mental arrangement was
not legally responsible for his act in
killing his wife. To support this plea
the history of the Hough family for
generations, and the personal history
of Mr.. Albert V. Hough himself, has
been. fine combed, and every fact or
circumstances of an unusual character
has been laid before the jury as evil
dence to show that Mr.. Hough was in
sane. Beginning with the infancy OF
the accused man, his movements from
place to place up to the time of the
killing Of his wife, have been brought
before the jury. Every occupation he
has ever been enga ged in and every
venture of his life has been related in
detail before the jury. Every word ut
tered by him in the presence Of others
and every act done by him in the pres
ence of others that may be thought to
afford evidence of insanity has been
brought before the jury. To support
the defendant in his claim, five physi-
ciaps and alienists of prominence and
-. Etation have been brought forward
ALI swearing that, in their opinion,
the accused was insane at the time he
killed his wife.
Throughout the several trials Of this
case, the state has relied upon the
testimony of one expert on insanity
and nervous diseases. The states ex-
pert has been none other than DR..
Ralph n. Greene, chief physician at
the Florida haspital for the insane at
Chattahoochee, who sWears that Mr.
Hough is absolutely sane and that he
was sane at the time of the killing.
Before declaring his opinion as to
made several mental, physical and
neurological examinations Of the pris-
oner, and also made a careful study
of the life history of the man on trial,
as well as the history of the Hough
family in general. Realizing that if
the prisoner is to be acquitted, the
testimony Of DR.. Greene must De
broken down, the able and learned at
torneys for the prisoner have put DR..
Greene through a grilling cross exam
ination extending over many hours and
embracing a detailed examination into
mental and nervous diseases of all
kinds, in an effort to ascertain the
weight to be given the opinion of DR..
Greene. The defendants attorneys,
however, signa1ly failed to weaken the
testimony of DR.. Greene.
The prosecution in the fourth trial
of this case, which is now, on at Ocala,
is being conducted by John P. Stokes,
of Pensacola, state attorney for the
first circuit, by special proclamation
Of the governor. Mr.. Stokes is ably
assisted by Hon. e. w. Davis, of Or
lando, former state attorney for the
fifth circuit, one of South F1oridas
most noted and successful criminal
lawyers.
The defense is conducted by Hon.
Carey D. Landis, of DeLand, former
state attorney for the seventh circuit,
and Hon Raymond B. Bullock, of
Ocala, who is also one of South Flor
ida's greatest criminal lawyers.
Attorneys Stokes for the state and
Lands for the defense are leading for
their respective sides, and often they
have engaged in spirited arguments be-
fore the court and warm repartee be-
fore the jury Each point has been
waived a point
The trial has already consumed
week and it is expected that another
week will have passed before the trial
s at an end and the result known.
Judge w. S. Bullock of the Fifth cir
cult presides over the sessions Of the
court with dignity and impartiaiity,
and with dif1culty restrains the law
yers in the case from becoming too
nersonal in their illusions to each
other.
The outcome of this will be watched
with interest throughout the state as
it is one OF the great legal trials in
the history Of Florida.
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