St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1918-02-16
Judge Carter Fixes Bond at
$4,000 Account of Phys
ical Condition.
INSANITY WILL BE
PROBABLE DEFENSE
Drs. Bulloch, Maybe, Gau-
treaux Appointed as
Commission.

aAIlIV 1AlO COuTI At COvluelOH, laSL
Thursday, brought to notice the fact
that there is to be a woman tried
for her life in the District Court here
soon, and that it is probably to be a
bitterly fought case for the freedom
of Mrs. Doolitxle. Attorney u. J.
Burke, prominently known in New
Orleans as criminal lawyer, is
Mrs. Doolittle's attorney. and he will
probably have associated with him
some prominent attorney of this
town.
1t will be remembered that Mrs.
Doolittle shot her husband in Sill
dell, recently, using the .32 revolver
OF Mr.. Dunn, which she got from
under his pillow in a room which he
occupied in the house. he having re-
Gently rented it. Mrs. Doolittle fired
from the bed while her husband waA
standing at the fireplace with his
back to her. and as he ran for the
door she fired again, both bullets
taking effect in his arm and body.
This ie the statement, it is said, that
was made at inquest. How tar the
testimony is correct will probably be
brought out in the trial. The only
eye witness is said to be the little
child Of the Doolittles, who Is about
6 years of age. There are some who
believe MRS. Doolittle was tempo
rarily insane at the time she fired
the fatal shots; there are others who
believe it was a deliberate murder.
No statement has been made as to
the defense, but indications are that
insanity will be pleaded. The Daily
States of last Monday mas the fol-
lowing:
1.-The insane actions Of Mrs. New
ton Doolittle, of SMdell, La, held in
the parish prison pending disposi
tion of charge of murder against
her, which caused intense excitement
ct church services in the chapel. has
convinced many that the frail little
woman who shot her husband 10
death in Slidell. is on the verge Of
complete mental collapse.
"Her removal from the parish
prison to a sanitarium of some kind,
where she can receive proper medi-
cal attention, is expected .ais week.
This was advised by DR.. Jos. O'lIara,
coroner, after he examined Mrs. Doc
little last week. DR.. O'Hara stated
at the time that Mrs. DOOlittle was
on nervOua breakdown,
which threatened to unbalance her
mind, and advised that further con-
finement in prison would probably
wreck her mind completely. He so
informed DIR. Bulloch, coroner, OF
CovingtOn, who came to New Or
leans two days fater. DIR. Bulloch
withheld an opinion as to Mrs. Doo-
Titles mental condition. saying that
he would return within few days
and make further examination of the
prisoner.
During the church service In the
little chapel on the third floor, ad-
joining the woman's department,
Sunday morning, Mrs. Dbolittle sSd-
denly went into frenzy, and climb
ing to the coping of one Of the barr
ed windows, began shouting to pass
ersby. Mrs. Doolittle cried out
Murder! Come and get me out OF
this place." 1t was with difficulty
that Mrs. Rolls, the night prison
matron, quieted her..
The case has called for good deal
OF attention from Coroner Bulloch Ut
late. he having been called DO New
Orleans by the defense to make All
examination as to her physical con-
dition, It being the contention that
her condition was such as to entitle
her to release on bond. The cOro-
ner deferred his report in this mat
ter until such time as he could base
his conclusions ON more thorough in
vestigation. Tuesday, February II,
he gave a certificate recommending
that she be released ON bond, which
wae fixed by Judge Carter at $4,000.
Her bond was signed and approved
and Mrs. Do0little sent to the Fen
wick Sanitarium.
The grand jury took up the case
Wednesday, February Is, and brougt
in an Indictment for murder, and
she was brought before the Court
for arraignment Thursday. Febru-
ary II.
when Mrs. Doolittle arrived on the
morning train she was accompanied
by Mr.. and Mrs. Dunn and smother
laidy. She ID small, rather nice look
Ing and Of good ngure. Among the
few who were aware Of her comingi
there was cDnsidesuble curiosity to
80 her. Che went into the court