Medical expert testimony in the Kelley murder trial / by Walter Channing.

  • Channing, Walter, 1786-1876.
Date:
1898
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Medical expert testimony in the Kelley murder trial / by Walter Channing. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The University of Glasgow Library. The original may be consulted at The University of Glasgow Library.

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    money he stole, meaning to pay it back when he was twenty-five, a statement to be immediately explained. Second may be mentioned his statements about his having a contract with the devil, beginning when he stole the watch, about the age of ten, and to expire when he was twenty-five. He never attempted to thrust this devil story into his conversa- tion, but was ready to detail it if encouraged to do so. He had both seen and talked with the devil, he said; though there was evidence that he resorted to fiction in describing him, it appeared probable that he believed a portion of what he said. He frankly confessed that he had been brought up to believe in the con- ventional devil, but this one was different. He had a dark com- plexion; eyes like drops of water; dark hair streaked with grey, and a deep bass voice. When asked how tall the devil was, he thought it an immense joke to say, as tall as you; he could not help dropping into cheap or vulgar buffoonery when occasion offered. At our different interviews he mentioned categorically, though with constantly added details, what the devil said and how he behaved. It was most difficult, in fact impossible, for the writer to get at Kelley's real idea about the devil. The thing that was the most genuine and had some hold of him was his compact with the devil, which, as already mentioned, was binding to a certain time. He honestly believed in a personal devil, and thought he was in his power. As to how he looked and be- haved, he made so many statements that it was easier to believe he was lying, than that he had actual delusions and hallucina- tions. There was without doubt something in the devil story, but just how much importance to give to it could not be de- termined during the examinations. Third, he had had three attacks of somnambulism. Fourth, he had had syphiHs and at various times immoral relations with women. Fifth, he never drank to excess. Sixth, though he was very amiable, hail-fellow-well-met, and was generally liked, he had no intimate friends or comrades except a respectable girl with whom he kept company. As a result of this peculiarity he was able to conceal his constant and curious thefts and his other bad practices for years; even his sweetheart did not receive his full confidence.