The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1901-03-28
JOHNSON
DECLARED
ALUNATIC
Verdict of insanity in the
Johnson Case.
He KILLED HIS PARENTS
But Shows No Visible Sign of
Rem0rSe.
He KILLED HIS PARENTS

Guthrie. o. r, March 27.-DeI Johnson,
who has been in jail for some time for
the murder of his father and mother
near Orlando, was adjudged insane this
morning in Judge Burfords court, and
the prosecution Of his case win not be
continued until the young man is adj
judged sane, and then he will have his
trial for the murder Of his parents. The
main question which came up was
whether or not the young man was able
to determine the seriousness Of the
charge against him, and whether he
could give his attorneys a complete
statement in order that they might out
line their defense for him \ jury of
twelve men heard the testimony in the
court yesterday afternoon and the YER
dict was rendered this morning.
Johnson was committed to the keeping
of the sheriff Of this county, and he viii
either be confined in the jail here or taken
to the insane asylum to remain until he
is adjudged sane enough to have his trial.
The charge against him win be dismissed
only temporarily. He win still be liable
TO prosecution. and if any time he is
adjudged sane enough the case viii be
called.
Johnson is a peculiar looking fellow.
He is said to De twenty seven years Of
age, but he does not look to be over
twenty. He sat in the court room yes
terday and watched the court proceedings
with interest, but did not seem to think
there was anything serios in his being
charged with the murder of his father
and mother. At times during the ques-
tons asked the doctors, some wit was
occasioned, and Johnson laughed with
the rest Of me people in the court, al
though ais case was the cause of it all.
J0hnson's condition is considered out of
the ordinary. He is supposed to be
queer in his methods of reasoning; at
least hiatt is the opinion of the physi-
clans who examined him. He also thinks
that whatever he does is right, and that
he cannot be wrong. In the killing of
his parents the physicians concluded that
he thought he was doing no wrong, and
that if opportunity presented itself again
he would 90 the same thing over again.
1T is thought. too, that the act was par
tally caused by the feeling natural in
such cases that those near him were try
ing. to prosecute him by their actions
of kindness.
A number Of witnesses were examined
by the attorneys and the testimony was
very similar. johnson win talk about
the case himself. but when it comes to
telling the reasons for the act he re-
fuses to talk. His brother-in-law stated
nd ToI h-T
given three reasons for the deed. The
father and mothers fear OF him, matri-
moniaI reasons, religious reasons. This
is the only person who stated that John
son had ever talked to him about the
reasons for the murder of his parents.
There Is supposed to have been some
kind Of a romance connected with john
sons life, At one time he was very much /
in love with a young woman and she
refused him. Since that time he has
acted strange. 1t evidently preyed upon /
his mind. and may be q partial cause |
for his strange actions.
Al one time he concluded he would live /
eating. For seventeen days he /
did not eat anything, ana finally his /
people took the young man to a doctor at /
who treated him. and he after /
wards got out Of the idea of not eat /
ing This is one Of the many strange /
things which he has done.
AS far as his memory is concerned. it is /
good. He can remember back years ago /
ana tel things that happened then. He /
can work hard and while on the farm /
was considered a splendid farm hand
The crime for which the young man 1
was arrested is almost without precedent /
ia this country. The killing of his father 1
and mother in cold blood seem to stamp I
on the face of ). that johnson was insane. /
There have never been any sign of re- /
morse. and If the young man has had I
any trouble in that respect no one has /
noticed it. In his cell in the JAIN be is /
talkative, and has no hesitancy in tell I
ing of the crime. how it was committed. I
and every little detail
Whether the young man viii ever be +