The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-05-26
Is Not Pleading Insanity; Isn't
Crazy, He Says.
Women Excluded From Court
Room on His Request.
81 WANTED THEIR MONEY!"
Arch POisOner COnfesseS on
Trial without TremOr. IS
His Plot Was to Murder Three,
Including His Wife.

New York, May 26.-Dr. Arthur W.
Waite told an alienist engaged for his
defense in his trial for the murder of
John E. Peck. the Grand Rapids mill
lionaire, that he had intended to kin
his wife, Clara Peck Waite, and that
he married her only for her money,
according to testimony given by the
alienist, Dir. Morris ]. Karpas, today.
DR.. Karpas added that Waite said he
did not intend to stop at anything to
gain his end.
Previously, under cross examination,
Waite has told the prosecutor he was
not sure that he would not have killed
his wife.
Waite declared he did not think he
was crazy and denied that he had at
any time pretended he was insane
denied that he had ever told the
prosecutors that the man from
Egypt had killed Mr. Peck and
swore that he slept perfectly after the
murder. He declared that he had
wanted to kill himself and made a
pretty good attempt at it,"
Alienist Says He's Egoist.
Accused of planning to leave the
country with Mrs. Margaret Horton.
he did not deny it, but said he did
not know that" they were going ayay.
Dr. Waite declined to admit that he
| mad made himself appear worse than
ne was in order to convince the Jury
that he was insane. The aiienists for
Waite testified that he did not appear
to be mentally well and that ne was
abnormal in that all his interests
were centered in himself.
Women Excluded From Room.
Women were excluded from the
n rrf r-rar rI.<-.
sumed the witness stand today. Hum
areas OF persons in the corridors vain
ly tried to gain admission to the court
room. Waite appeared pale but
seemed to have braced himself to face
the ordeal His counsel Walter r.
Deuel., told Justice Sheran that he had
only few more questions to ask the
dentist before the cross-examipation
would begin.
Did you ever try to kill your
wife ?" asked Mr.. Deuel.
No" replied DR. Waite
Did you ever plan to kill herr"
NO, never
You never thought you might Kill
her?'
Il am not sure that 1 would not
have killed her. said Waite
Assistant District Attorney Broth
ers then began the cross-exam-
ination of DIR. Waite. He first asked
the prisoner:
DO you recall telling me that you
did not want your wife to learn of
your relations with Mrs. Horton?'
NO" replied Waite.
Waite folded his arms and smiled
at the prosecutor as he denied hav-
ing any conversation with Mr. Broth
ers in DR.. Waite's apartment.
The dentist said he was surprised
to learn that he had given a ring to
his nurse.
Didn't Fake insanity.
You were taking insanity at Belize
vue, were you not?" asked Mr.. Broth-
ers
81 did not fake insanity at any
time said Waite.
You faxed insanity in the Tombs"
said the prosecutor.
Waite denied it and also denied that
he deliberately planned false defense
or read books on nervous diseases
You have displayed a wonderful
birthday. but you have forgotten these
recent Incidents said the prosecutor.
Il don't remember" said Waite.
you don't wish to remem Der even
your letter to Margaret Horton ?"
asked Brothers. Waite did not an
swer. The smile gradually faded from
his face and he seemed to become
confused by the rapid fire of ques-
tions. He denied that he had been
reading medical books but admitted
reading a medical magazine. The witt
ness declared he did not tell District
Attorney Swami and Mr.. Brothers
/