ðə dᵻfˈɛns, lˈɛd baɪ wˈɪljəm ˈeɪtʃ. sˈuːɚd, tɹˈaɪd tə pɹˈuːv ðæt fɹˈiːmən wʌz ɪnsˈeɪn ænd ðˈɛɹfoːɹ kʊd nˌɑːt stˈænd tɹˈaɪəl, bˌʌt ɐ dʒˈʊɹɹi ɛmpˈænəld tə kənsˈɪdɚ ðə kwˈɛstʃən dˌɪsɐɡɹˈiːd.
The defense, led by William H. Seward, tried to prove that Freeman was insane and therefore could not stand trial, but a jury empaneled to consider the question disagreed.