Norwich bulletin., 1914-06-30
FAMOUS TRIALS
TRIAL OF GARFIELD's ASSASSIN.

It will be thirty-two years on June 30 that Charles J. Guiteau was exc cuted in Washington for the asassina- tion of President James Abram Gar field, the deed having been committed about a year previous, on July 2, 1881. Following the assassination of the president, Guiteau made an attempt to escape, having a carriage waiting for him on the outside of the station at Washington where he committed the deed.
 Guiteau was intercepted, however, and was taken to police headquarters, where, after a brief preliminary ex- animation, he was committed to jail. It needed little investigation to dem onstrate that the attack was conSum- mated after deliberate and carefully laid plot During Guiteau's imprison- ment three attempts were made to take his life, the first by Guard Magill, the second by Sergt. Mason, the latter a federal trooper detailed to guard the jail. and the third, on Nov. 19, during the trial. by William Jones, a young farmer living near Washington.
 Following Garfields death and bur ial the latter part of September, 1881, on the Sth of October the grand jury for the District of Columbia presented an indictment against Guiteau, and on Oct. IA the prisoner was first ar raigned in court. After the bill was read, and the culprit was asked to plead. he attempted to read from paper which he had prepared, but was prevented, the court remarking, Some other time will do for that" The prisoner finally entered a plea of mot guilty"
 The trial began on Nov. Is, three days being occupied in selecting a jury On the first day of the trial Guiteau began the boisterous conduct which as much perhaps as any single feature made the trial memorable.
 District Attorney Corkhill delivered his opening address to the court on Nov. T., and the same day James G. Blaine told the story of the assault at the Baltimore 6; Potomac depot. On the 18th of November was introduced the medical history of the case by Drs. Bliss and Reyburn. The testimony for the prosecution was finished on the goth. The next day the prisoner made an address to the court. and Mir. Rob- inson. whom the court had assigned as counsel for the defense, was granted permission to withdraw from the case, for the reason, as he alleged, that he could not maintain amicable relations with MT. Scoviile, Guiteau's chief counsel.
 On the 22d day of November Sco- vile opened the case for the defense, arguing insanity on the part of Gui- teau. The examination of witnesses for the defense was continued during the week following. Guiteau went on the stand in his own behalf Nov. 20, his cross examination lasting until Dec. 2. He described his career from his childhood up to the hour of his testimony.
 The expert testimony in behalf of the prisoner began on Dec. and was concluded the following day. The closing days of the trial were marked by the extreme violence of the priS- oners conduct. On the 27th of Decem- Der Guiteau issued a Christmas ad- dress in which he gave a sketch of his vagabond life and proclaimed himself a patriot and an inspired man. Dec. 2S was one of the most dramatic days. on which Guiteau abused the court, insulted Judge Porter, counsel for the prosecution, called Scoville a jackasS and was placed in the dock, where he trembled in terror of being shot. The testimony for both sides was closed on Jan. 2.
 It was not until Jan. 25 that Judge Cox submitted the case to the jury, and after a brief deliberation yer dict of guilty was returned. In Feb ruary Guiteau was brought into court and sentenced to be hanged on June 30 within the walls of the jail of the District of Columbia
 A number of efforts were made by the prisoners counsel and by others not connected with the trial, but who believed the prisoner insane, to save his life, but they were of no avail. Guiteau was impenitent to the last and protested his inspiration in the face of death. After ascending the scaffold he read a prayer which he had written for that purpose. and after he had finished he started to read some verses which he said ''are intended to indicate my feelings at the moment of leaving this world" He then began the chanting of a number of verses be- ginning T am going to the Lord, am so glad" which were widely printed at the time. The execution occurred shortly after noon on June 30.