The Washington times., 1906-05-21
Says She Obeyed Com
mand of the Lord Told
by Voices.
EXAMINED BY EXPERTS
Josephine Terranova to Go
on Stand Today in Her
Own Behalf.

NEW YORK, May 21.-Josephine Ter
ranovas first statement with reference
20 the killing of her aunt and uncle. In
response to a direct examination by the
prosecution, was made public today.
The examination was conducted by
Drs. Allan MacLane Hamilton, Dr. Aus
tin G. Flint, and DR.. Carter +. Mac
Donald, the alienists employed by the
prosecution 10 determine the Sirls s
mental condition. These experts will be
called by the State to rebut the testt-
mony of the experts for the defense, who
will testify that Josephine suffered from
adolescent insanity.
"Are you crazy now?" was the first
question asked the girl
mo, l am not" she replied.
Were you crazy when you killed your
aunt and uncle?
no. 1 was not"
"why did you kill them If you were
not crazy2"
Il obeyed the command Of the Lord" "
Did you know that It was wrong to
kin them?"
NO. It was not wrong. Nothing IS
wrong that is commandeS by the Lord" d"
Commanded by Voices.
How was the command given to
you?" the girl was asked.
by voices" she declared emphati-
cally
do you stuI hear those voices?''
"Yes: I hear them in my cell now"
Former Judge Palmieri, Josephlne's
counsel. said the girl was entirely unpre-
pared for the examination. He said the
defense was very glad to have the eX
perts examine her and he consented
~eadily when asked by Justice Scott if
he would allow it.
Josephine was taken into a room in
the Criminal Courts building, where the
three experts were waiting. Judge Pal
mleri did not know until he was told af-
terward by his client a stenographic
record of the oral examination was made
and the girl also was subjected to a
physical examination.
Josephine says the voices now have
told her that she is to enter "A convent
after she is released from prison. and
she has talked of this with the priest
who attends her IN the Tombs.
When this was told today 10 Giuseppe
Terranova, the husband Of Josephine
became very indignant, and said:
''If 7 can prevent IT she will enter no
convent After her acquittal. she Will
come TO me. to my home. that she left
several days after our marriage"
But Josephine, sitting in her cell in
the Tomhs. says that there is no alter
native.
Declares it Gods Will
'It is Gods will" she said. "and I
must obey. I have fully made I'D nv
mind to enter a convent and lose myself
to the world"
One or two minor witnesses will be
called today and then the girl will take
the witness stand and tell the twelve
men who are sitting in judgment the
horrible degradation of her life, all of
which was brought about by Gaetano
Riggio and his wife. Concetta.
Fate od7ly working has so shaped
things that tn, dying words Of GaetanO
RlggiO. stabbed by Josephine, may be
the very agency that will get the girl
her freedom and set the seal of retri-
butive justice on her act.
Il is the contention of Judge Palmieri.
defending Josephine TerranOva- that the
girl was insane when she killed Riggio
and his wife-made insane by years Of
cruel and monstrous treatment-aEd to
day Policeman Kane, a witness of abSo-
lutte responsibility. who has never be-
fore been heard of in the case. will tes-
tlfv TO the girls jury that when Gaetano
Riggio was lying on the floor of his
home with the life blood flowing from
his wound. he said:
TIE one who did this is nothing but
crazy girl"