The Washington times., 1906-07-13
Mentally Unbalanced IS
Plea in Police Court
for Mrs. Carter
SCENE is VERY PATHETIC
Son RuSheS to Side Of
Mother and Has to Be
Taken Away by Friends.

Pathetic and affecting was the scene
enacted in the Police Court today when
Mrs. Kate Carter. a woman OF nifty
two years, charged with attempting 10
KIN John Deitz, a motorman, twenty
seven years old, with a revolver last
night, was sent TO Jail for an eXamina-
tion as TO her sanity Her stalwGrt.
clean cut. we'll groomed son. about
twenty-five years old, who was in court
when the Judge held her under bond
and committed her to jail. collapsed.
His head struck the railing in front OF
the bench on which he was sitting. Be
fo-s any one could reach him he had al
most fallen 10 the floor. The son wept
like 4 child and friends started 10 carry
him out OF the court room.
When he reached the dock In which
his mother was confined with a score
or more Of coIOred men and women.
he freed himself from the grasp OF his
friends, rushed TO her side, and be-
gan kissing and Caressing her between
sobs. He was finally taken from his
mothers side by the marshals and led
out OF the room. Mrs, Carter was
placed in a van with the other prison
eTs and taken to Jail.
Victim of Hallucinations.
Attorney Ambrose. representing the
woman, and Assistant District Attorney
Charles Turner consulted with Judge
Kimbau before the case was called by
Clerk Potts. Mr.. Turner informed the
court that he had received information
TO the effect that Mrs. Carter smoked
strong cigars and was an inveterate
1Hff ia
10 have been impaired by relatives and
friends who have observed her for some
years and who know her habits
MT- Ambrose said he had Investigated
the case and learned that the woman
was a victim of Authorizations, and fre-
quently had distorted ideas about per
sons and things. Judge Kimbau was
asked TO commit the woman to jail for
a mental examination and II she was
found TO be sane she would go 10 trial
This was agreed upon, and Mr.. Turner
asked that the case be called immedi-
ateIy.
Kate Carter" called Clerk Potts. The
woman stood in the dock with a Wild.
vacant stare in her eyes and paid no
attention 10 the clerk. After she was
called several times BaiIin Cash took
her by the arm and led her before the
court Mr.. Ambrose waived the read
ing OF the Indictment against his client
and entered a plea of mot guilty"
Maintained Silence in Court.
Mrs. Carter is a medium sized woman
with traces Of beauty still discernible
on her mobile countenance- She has
brown eyes with heavy brows and
lashes. Her white hair was becoming
ly arranged and despite her age she has
but few lines in her face.
While standing before the judge she
appeared bewildered and had a pre-
occupied manner She uttered not
word, her attorney making all the Te-
sponses to the court and clerk
When the bond was fixed at so and
a marshal approached 10 take her 10
the dock. Mrs. Carter turned TO her at
torney with a sorrowful look. but smiled
and accompanied the officer when Mr..
Amborse told her IL was all right TO
return to the wire cage.
II was then that the son created the
scene which SO greatly moved the judge
clerk and spectators in the room.
Assault Due to Jealousy.
The assault on John Dietz occurred
last night al Mrs. Carters boarding
house. 302 street northwest. and IS
said 20 have been inspired by jealousy
on the part Of Mrs. Carter OF the atten-
tions shown by DietZ TO Mrs. Wagner
one OF the occupants OF the house.
Mrs. Carter is said 10 have fire.
Quently threatened Dietz. urging him TO
deslst in his attentions 10 the other
woman. Last night the trouble reached
a climax, when Dietz went for a boat
ride with Mrs. Wagner When he re-
turned 10 the street house, about 11:15
o'clock last night. having left mis- com
paniOn down town. he saw light IN
the front room and hgure in
front OF the window. When he reached
the head OF the steps leading TO the door
Mrs. Carter is said 70 have rushed out
at him with revolver in her hand.
You would go out with her, would
your" she exclaimed.
Just be calm, Mrs. Carter" said
DistZ. sOOthingly. everything Is al
right" he continued.
Fires Three Times at Dietz.
The woman made no response but lev
eled a revolver at the motormans g head.
When Dietz saw the weapon only a few
inches from his head. he leaped 20 the
bottom Of the steps and jumped behind
a tree box. As he did so the woman
opened fire. Three bullets were dis
charged, but none of them struck the
motOrman.
Sergeant Stoll and Private Rout, of
the Eighth precinct police station, heard
the shots and ran to- the house. There
they arrested the woman, who still held
the smoking revolver in her hand, She
was taken TO the station, where she Is
said to have admitted that she did the
shooting. but fired at DietZ because she
wanted TO protect Mrs Wagner. Mrs.
Carter insisted that she was justified
IN shooting at Dietz. She was sent TO
the House OF Detention for the night.
So to the Seashore and Return,
VIZ paoosvIxapfa E3au-,,,s 49,. H..