New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-11-29
Not Responsible When She
Shot Husband, Declares
DR.. Wight
X-Ray Photo Shows
Break in the Skull
Prosecution Promises Sur
prise; Sister Aids
Defence
[Staf Correspondence

memory" defence for the killing of her
divorced husband, when three medical
experts unqualifedly pronounced her a
victim Of hypothyreosis and many
other unpronouncable ailments.
The list was so surprisingly long
and scientific that the hapless posses
sor of all these defects leaned back in
her chair and opened her eyes in undis-
euised dismay, while Justice Manning,
before whom the case is being tried
called upon the witnesses to translate
their thoughts into understandable
English.
But to-dsy's testimony, although en-
tirely favorable to the cause Of the
defendant, does not mean that the en-
tire strength of the alienists has been
thrown in the balance for her. The
three experts already heard by the jury
all were called by the defence, while at
least three more of equal standing are
TO be summoned with the resumption
Of the hearing Friday by the prosecu-
ton.
Prosecution Promises Surprise
OF still greater interest to those who
are watching the development of the
prosecution of the slayer of Jack De
Saulles is the promise that was made
during the day that "there was big
surprise in store for the defence"
There has not been the slightest hint
as to the nature of the promised coup
Of the District Attorney, but it is be-
lieved that it will take the form of
the production of new witnesses who
will tell of her sanity during the ten
day period that Mrs. De Saulles de-
clares is blank to her.
As a clinching argument to. support
the plea that Mrs. De Saulles is VIC
tim of a mental ailment that reached
its most acute stage when she fired the
shots that killed her divorced husband,
Henry A. Uterhart, her attorney, pro-
duced an X-rsy picture of her skull
a picture taken two days after the
commission of the crime.
There was a touch of the dramatic
ne arrangement Of the various
properties thai went with staging the
X-ray picture. A box with black face
was set up on table directly before
the jurors, an electric wire was at
tached and a button was pressed. A
moment later the skull of a human
being sprang out in bold relief upon
the dark surface of the glass. The an.
nouncement of Attorney Uterhart that
the likeness was that of Mrs. De
Saulles' head was almost super1uou:
10 those who saw picture and reality
within a few feet Of one another.
Break in Bone Shown
Careful examination Of the plate dis
closed the break in the bone on top O
the head which, according to Mrs. DE-
Saulles's lawyers. is responsible for thu
tragedy of her life. The picture ap
peared TO verify the assertion that tht
bone is pressing upon the brain Of TN
girl-widow, contributing to the physi
cal and mental condition that was tn
subject Of such detailed description to
day.
Dr. J. Sherman Wight, who has beei
in constant attendance upon MRS. "
Saulles since her confinement IN IN
Nassau County jail, furnished the mos
striking testimony Of the day when n
pictured the wrecked physical condi
ton OF the woman on the night OF IN
shooting and during the ten days tina
followed.
The physician's testimony dove tale
perfectly into the claims oil inc dc
fence as 20 the period that has slippe
out Of Mrs. De Saulless memory, an
went beyond the broadest claims of he
lawyer, by picturing periods IN whic
she was said 10 have been the victim
Of Authorizations.
Strange figures peopled Mrs. d
Saulles's cell during at least part
her period Of mental unconsciousness
said the physician, who added to IN
strength Of her assertion that sh
didn't know that she had killed he
husband until informed that such Wa
the case. He said that she had aske'
about De Saullcs, her question indicat
ing fear that her boy again would b
taken from her.
Found She Was Nervous
When asked ss TO the symptoms tina
were recognizable when he examine
Mrs. De Saulles Immediately after tn
shooting, DR.. Wight summarized then
as consisting chiefly. as a deficiency 0
thyroid secretiOns, weakened nervou
system, due to the pressure upon he
brain. and an abnormal state brough
on By continuous worry and nervous
ness, brought 20 a climax by the shoe
Of the night Of August 3.
Mrs De Saulles was pale, ~ith
peculiar waxy palor, and her skin wa
cold 10 the touch" said Dr. Wight
"She tried 70 protect her eyes by hold
ing her hands over them. The white
noticed, were Of a blush tinge, an
there were puffy lines beneath them.
II asked her questions, but she faile,
20 respond. When she finally di
answer, her words were vague and con
fused. When she stirred in her be-
her breathing became labored an
rapid from the slight exertion."
The physician then was questi0nc'
about the spot upon Mrs. De Ssulles'
head that had been described BY he
lawyer as the cause Of her mental diff
culties.
"When ] pressed upon her head, jus
sboye the front hair line, TO the lief
% the central skull, she shrsnk AVA
and made an cutlery" he said.
The physician said that an ezannina
ton Of the throat had shown that Tn
thyroid gland was missing. lie ex
IIf..I IL. atnniGcance OF thiE fact b.