 What was the intention of Higgins' lawyer by saying that Higgins had put "The Scorpion" on his gun barrel himself?
As the police reconstructed it later, Mrs. Higgins had attempted to awaken him on the third morning at seven-thirty, suggesting that he really ought to stop being so foolish, and go back to work. Mr. Higgins, it was learned later, had suddenly erupted from his bedroom, brandishing a .30-.30 hunting rifle and, being annoyed at the shrieks of his wife and sister, had fired seven shells at them, killing his wife on the spot and wounding his sister in the hand and shoulder. The police used loudspeakers to tell Higgins he might as well give up, they had the place surrounded and could eventually starve him out anyway.
 To try to use an insanity defense for Higgins.
 To avoid a trial by admitting fault immediately and getting the job done quickly  In hopes of the judge and jury seeing the other vigilante acts of The Scorpion and cutting Higgins some slack.  In hopes of receiving mercy for the crimes.  To try to use an insanity defense for Higgins.