The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-11-26
MORAL ANAESTHESIA.
A New Defense Is Set Up in Mae
Otis's Case.

Chicago, Nov. 26.-After a defense
had been made for her that she suf-
fered from moral anaesthesia," a dead
ening of the moral perceptions, Mae L.
Otis, charged with attempting to plot
the murder of her mother was dis
missed by Municipal Judge Gemnlill
The court held there was no statute
covering the offense and that no crime
was committed.
Miss Otis does not even live I'D to
her own moral standard; she seems
perfectly subjective to outside sugges-
tion,' said the alienist Dr. Harriet
Alexander, when placed on the witness
stand.
DR.. L. B. Baldwin. city physician.
suggested that the young woman be
placed in a sanitarium, until her mental
condition can be determined
The case of Miss Mae Otis. accused OF
attempting her mothers murder in or
der to get hold of about $4,000 which her
mother had, is one of the most dra-
matte and heart rending incidents in
police court annals.
That sweet demure Young Isdv
who for years has been employed as a
bookkeeper, should conceive so heinous
a crime as disclosures show Miss Otis
to have attempted, is beyond belief.
The present theory is that she was
temporarily deranged and the police
are gathering evidence to lay before a
commission which is to pass upon her
sanity. The facts in the case are so
cold-blooded as to be incredible but
with her heartless planning was an alb
solute lacking of precaution.
The facts in the case are to the effect
that Miss Otis called upon local de-
tective agency last week and asked
relative to the amount of property her
mother possessed. This was handled
promptly and a few days later she was
told her mother had in all about $4,000
available assets. This she seemed to
desire with keen greed. She startled
r. c. Stolpman of the detective agency
by the remark: Il would do most any
thing for money, would you?" Mr..
Stolpman caught glimpse of her
meaning and in order to lead her on
said he would. She then told her
plans to him, which were to the effect
that he was to secure an accomplice,
to whom she would point out her
mother, and he was to do away with
her in any way he saw fit. Mr. Stolp-
man demanded money for this and she
agreed to pay him $500 for the job.
She agreed to come back to the office
the next day and have part of the
money with her for the payment and to
meet the accomplice. She did this and
another detective was detailed to take
the part of the thug. She came back q
third time to go over the details of the
horrible crime. Her statement, 'Don'c
make it an ambulance affair."" is typical
of her seeming attitude and talk with
the detectives. The third day when
she went down stairs from the de-
tective agency she was arrested and
taken to headquarters and her case was
laid before the police.
Miss Otis mother was Mortified at
the attempt to assassinate her and re-
fused absolutely to believe it. Her
mother love was stronger than any
other feeling and she Immediately went
to the girl and attempted to shield her
in every way and begged for her re-
lease. Her mother states that the girls
father died in the asylum and that Miss
Otis has been i'll for some time and
hints that she is undoubtedly of an un-
balanced mind.