Evening star., 1934-12-16
AL|EN|ST TO GIVE
OPINION ON BELLS
SANITY TOMORROW
5000 Word Hypothetical
Question May Climax
Defense Case.
DR.. TUCKER CLAIMS
BRAIN is S0FTENING
Mental Expert Lists Defendants
Ills-Sees Tendency Toward
Infatuations.
BY stan Correspondent of The Star.

BY Staff Correspondent of The Star.
FREDERICKSBURG, Va, Decem-
Der 15.-What is expected to be the
climax of the defense case in the
poisoning trial of Edward C. Bell will
be reached at 10 am Monday, when
counsel for the former Baptist deacon
submit to their alienist a 3,000-word
hypothetical question, the gist of
which is:
Is the defendant insane?
The question first was propounded
late today by the attorneys defending
Bell against charges of having at
tempted to poison his invalid wife.
Directed to DR.. Beverly Tucker, Rich
mond specialist on nervous diseases,
its length caused Judge Frederick w.
Coleman to abandon plans for a night
session and adjourn court until
Monday.
The question is based upon a sum-
mary Of all the evidence in the trial
Of the wealthy civic leader, and asks
the defense alienist:
Assuming all this to be true, then
would you or would you not believe
the defendant crazy?"
DR.. Tucker, noted throughout the
East as specialist of 20 years ex-
perience, was on the stand when the
question was proposed.
Judge Interrupts.
"Just a minute, gentlemen" Judge
Coleman interposed. L have seen
these hypothetical questions before.
They are complex and they consume
time. Therefore, I declare this court
adjourns until 10 o'clock Monday
morning"
In his testimony, DR.. Tucker had
declared AL Bells reflexes are exag-
gerated." He testified he examined
Bell at the Tucker Sanatorium in
Richmond on october % and again a
week later.
The first thing I did" DR.. Tucker
said, "was to obtain Bells history and
hospital record. Aside from this evi-
dence, I learned his blood pressure was
abnormally high. his tonsils infected
and there was indication of chronic
kidney ailment. I found he suffered
from hardening of the arteries and
thyroid infection.
Bell appeared to be a mental wan
derer who often had to be guided back
to the subject. 1t was easy to upset
his emotions"
Bell already had been publicly ac-
cused at this time Of six poison at
tempts upon the life of his wife.
Bell" continued DR.. Tucker. had
no appreciation of his predicament.
He was subject to memory lapses and
often contradicted himself. Tests in
dicated the arteries of his brain were
hardening"
DR.. Tucker said this indicated a
general softening of the brain proper,
one of the first symptoms of which Is
change in personality. Other
changes are those of conduct, habits
and desire.
This may lead to infatuation and
to injudicious selections for marriage"
the alienist continued.
At this juncture, Acting Common
wealth's Attorney Albert v. Bryan
permitted himself a cynical smile.
which did not escape the attention
Of several members of the jury.
Cites Theft Tendency.
The expert testified that other
symptoms of this brain deterioration
we're tendencies toward petulance,
stealing and eventual criminal acts.
The witness said still other victims
of this disorder tended to lose all emo
tions and were highly susceptible to
suggestions.
Corroborating the earlier testimony
of DR.. Henry w. Decker, also of Rich
mond, DR.. Tucker blamed this condi-
ton on a thyroid operation which
Bell underwent in November, 1891.
AS DR.. Decker had said before him,
the witness declared such an opera
ton might "disjoint reason. insight
and responsibility"
do you believe Bells condition can
be traced to this thyroid operation?"
DR.. Tucker was asked by defense
counsel.
Yes" the alenist replied.
I'm view of this, your honor" said
defense counsel, I'VE wish to submit
hypothetical question"
The testimony of DR.. Decker had
covered a period of three years dur
ing which he had Bell under observa-
ton. He had seen Bell operated
upon, confined to a Richmond hos
pital for six weeks and gradually go
1Continued an pace a Column a.