Gitteau's Trial

On Monday, the 14th inst. at ten o'clock, in the Criminal Court for the District of Columbia, Judge Walter S. Cox on the bench, Gitteau the assassin was placed on trial. He looked.in better bodily condition than when he plead to the indictment, and having on anew suit of clothes, his appearance was j together improved. Still he had a restless, furtive expression. The offlcers elieved him of the handcuffs and he sal. between his sister and counsr 1. The district attorney announcedtbat he prosecution was ready for trial, tfr. Hobinson, counsel lor Gitteau, asked for more time to prepare the defense, and stated that eminent lawyers had promised to assist if more time could be had. No sooner had Kobinson taken lus seat than the prisoner rose and in an excited manner addressedthe courtand I stated that he wished to be heard. In vain Scoville endeavored to make him resume his seat and remain quiet. He was irrepressible. In a nervous but nretty distinct manner he proceeded with his speech as follows: "I was not aware that my counsel, Robinson, intended this morning to make an application for postponement, and 1 desire to be heard in my own behalf in this matter at the very threshold of this case. I am charged here with a murderous attempt and I desire tobe heard in my own behalf." The Court- "This is not a proper time to enter upon the defense. The only question bef ore the court is whether time should be allowed the counsel to urepare for defense." The prisoner (emphatically)- "bo iar as I am concerned I do not want further time. We are ready to try tliis case now." (ïo a deputy marshal who I endeavored to restrain the prisoner.) "Will y ou be quietV" The Court - "The question is whether further time ought to be allowed to the counsel." The district attorney insisted that the trial procecd now. Mr. Robinson said he had consulted wit h eminent gentlemen whomhe wishprt tu have associated with him and who would give him an answer soon. He also stated that there were three additional witnesses he desired to have summoned, who could not be here for three weeks. Ile flled an affldavit to the above effect, and while thus engag ed Gitteau was making very active demonstrationtowards another outbreak, but wasrestrainedbyScoville and two Deputy Marshals who were sitting rectly beside him. Mr. Scoville then arose and said: "This is a proceeding which is at least peculiar, if not unprecedented. It is very remarkable indeed that an application of this kind should be made and that I should have had no previous not ice of it; that I should not even be permitted to see the affldavit which has been presented to the court.' Mr. llobinson - "There is no earthly objection to your seeing it." Scoville- "Very well, wait a moment. I say this is an unprecedented proceeding. I shall withdraw from the caseif thedefense is toproceed longer in this manner. I will give whatever inf ormation I have to the defense and step out. I do not want to have t.his case continued, and tho prisioner does not want to have it continued. I lo not want to have any further nction with the case unless when a morton is to be made I am advised of it long enough beforehand to know something about it. Unless tb e delense can go on harmoniousiy with me in it, I will withdraw.' Gitteau again managed to get on his f eet just as Scoville sat down and exclaüüed with a motion of his clenched Üst: "I indorse every word of that, and I teil Robinson that if be does not do this thing just as I want it he can get out of tbe case. Robinson arose to address the court. Gitteau (persistently)- "I do not want to hear any more speeches of Robinson. I want him to get out of the case." (To the deputy marshals who were pulling him back into his seat) - "Let me alone; you have nothing to do with me here." Robinson said he intended no disrespect to Scoville and continued: "I know that what I have asked is indispensable. I will give the name of the counsel as soon as I know that he can be assijmed. I am sure his assignment will strengthen the defense, especially wliere it most needs strengthening." The Court - "The trouble is that I have no assurance that at the expiration of the time mentioned this gentleman will go into the case." Robinson- "I give you my assurance that if ordered by the court he will feel the obligation to accept the assignment." Gitteau here made another efiort to get to his feet, but was resiraineu uy the two deputy marshals, against whose interference he protested strenuously. TheCourt- "Tbere is much to be said about this application. The time first flxed for the trial was a week sooner than the time askedby Scoville, and wheu Robinson was assignedto the case de was not granted by a week tht extensión of the time he asked, so that the present application is not for any longer time than was originally asked by Robinson. I feel very much embarratsed at the question. It is imnortanttbat thia trial should proceed witbo'it drlay; .and I intend it shall pronetd without unnecessary delay. I intend, also, tbat this prisoner shall have a fair trial, and that the reproof shall not rest upon the court that the prisener was sent to the gallows without a fair trial in order to appease public indignation. My inclination is to allow a week's time to Eobinson which is the time originally asked by him. I shall assign the counsel of whom he has spoken, to assist him, leaving that counsel to make his arrangements to come into case (u ne cannoi qo so sooner) in two weeks time. I do not think Ishould giveany more indulgence than this, and I find embarrassment in giving that much." Gitteau (escaping the control of the deputy marshals and getting to his feet) "I do not want Robinson to act as mv counsel." Scóville rises and attempts to speak. Gitteau persista in addressing the couit and goes on: "I want to say emphatically that llobinson carne into the rase without my consent, I knew nothing abouthim, and I do not like the way he talks. I ask him peremptorily (pronouncing tbis word 'premptorily' to retire. I expect in some time lo have money to employ any counse thatlplease. I am not a beggar nor i pauper." Gitteau being made to resume hi seat, Scoville then again explained hi position in the case and added: "Gen Butler is the choice of the prisoner' relativea and of the prisoner himself If the matter is to be continued let i be continued long enough so that w can get such counsel as we want, anc we will be prepared with counsel wh will be fit to cope with the minen counsel on the other side. We do no want the court to assign counsel. W will employ counsel ourselves if the case be continued." Scoville insisted that he would not go into the case further until he knew the name of the addition;ü counsel. The court - "No counsel" can come into the case without your consent." Scoville (resignedly)- "Very well." Gitteau (again up) "I say the same." j [To the deputy marshals who were Ipulling him back.] "Can you not mind your own business. I am in the nresnnce of the court." The District Attorney- "Then I understand it to be the decisión of your Honor that the trial shall now proceed." The Court- "Yes; let the trial proceed, and when the testimony for the prosecution is in, I shall endeavor to give the counsel for the defense time to prepare their proofs." A-bout 11 o'clock the work of 1 taining a jury was begun; the three ■who ürst presented themselves btjing disqualified, two on the ground that they had formed fixed opinions on the case. and the other on the ground that he had conscientious scruples on the subject of capital punishment. In j amiuing jurors Scoville went over a large range of questiuns as to religious and political belief. Five jurors have been obtained and i sworn in. ïheir names and occupations are as follows: John P. Ilarlin, restaurant keeper; Fred. W. Branderberg, cigar maker; Chas. G. Stewart, Üour and feed dealer; Henry J. Bright, retired trom business; Thos. EL Langley, grocer. The panel was exhausted af ter flve inrnrs had been obtained, and at the suggestion of the District Attorney an order was issued for drawing seventyflve additional names from the box. The prisoner at this pointslowly rose i.id iuformed the court that he would lu. e to make a speech to-morrow rnorning, but he was ordered by the court to I take h;s seat. He then passed the manuscript of his speech to a newspaper reporter, but before the latter could leave tho court room Scoville callpd him back and compelled him to turn it. This raised the anger of the prisoner, who excitedly declared he was not under the control of his counsel; that he was alawyer and knew the la w himself ; that when he wanted help he would ask for it, and that he desired his speech to be published for the purpose of influencing public opinión. He was again silenced by the court, and it having been agreed that the sittings of the court should be from 10 a. m. to 3 p. m., daily, allowing half an bour lor recess, the court adjourned. THE I'EISONEB'S SPEECH. In the speech which Gitteau had prepared for delivery in court he says he is charged with murdering one James A. Garfleld. Nothing can be more absurd, because Gen. Garfield died of inalpractice. Gen. uarneia was a good man, but a weak politician. Being President he was in a position to do vast harm to the Republic, and he was doing it by the unwise use of patronage, and the Lord and himself took the responsibility of removing him; that his duty to the Lord and the American people overéame his personal feelings toward Gen. Garüeld, and he sought to remove him. Not being a marksman, Gen. Garlield was'not fatally shot, but incompetent physicians finished the work, and they, not himself, are responsible for his death. He then speaks of the breacn in ue Republican party and his resolve to remove the President and claims that the Diety ordered him to fire the shot. He ref ers to his work on theology, insanity in his family, his marred life and his life in prison, and appeals to those whom he says he has put in position and to the general public tosend money for his defense. OVERACTED HIS TAKT. Gitteau's performances in court seem to have eonvinced a few sons tbat ho is really crazy, but the general opinión is tbat he overdid his acting; that the same shrewdness with wliich he planned the assassination and his escape fiom the mob prompted him to his line of conduct at this time with a view of backing up his plea of insauity by his actions. He was undoubtedly much excited. He waved his hands violently and told his counsel to miad their own business; that he proposed to conduct his own case. The eourse of Robinson, associate counsel, in asking for a postponement and for additional counsel without consulting his chief, is commented on as unusual in practice. The beginning of the trial was full of incidents and excitement. THE SECOND DAY. The secoud day of Gitteau's trial was devoid of strikiug incident. The assassin was under better control than yesterday, and he refrained from any intenuption of the proceedings, but he was by no means quiet. He persisted in conversing in au undertone with his brother John and his counsel Scoville, between whom he sat during the session of tho court. He talked rapidly and energetically, emphasizing his words with gestures and thumping of the table in front of hiru. He didn't nay close attention to the proceedings i the court. Now and then, however, when anything humorous occurred, he dughed heartily with thecrowd. It is mpossible to express in words the peuliar expression of the wretch's counenance. He is particularly repulsire vhile in conversation, chiefly because of the singular glare and wildness of his eyes. Mr.Scoville submitted an affidavit and made application for an order tor an additional number of witnesses, which order was made by the ourt. Then the additional panel of seventyüvesummoned lastevening was called, most of the persons responding when called. ïhe f ollowing additional jurors were sworn. Michsel Sheehan, an Irishman with a very pronounced brogue; Samuel F. Hobbs, a native of Maryland and a plasterer by occupationjG. W. Gates, a native of Washington, a machinist; Kalph Wormley, a colored plasterer. Wormley is the ninth juror, and the ent re list of seveuty-üve talesman was exhausted without securing another.