The Washington times., 1915-11-09
CONFESSES MURDER,
SENT TO AN ASYLUM
Strange DeIusion Of Young
Man Regarding Mysterious
Crime-Alibi For Him.

MINNEAPOLIS. Mimi. Nov. s.-The
peculiar mental condition Of Alfred
Driske!l. twenty-five years old. who has
insisted repeatedly that he murdered q
young girl more than three years ago
despite the testimony Of his relatives
and friends proving an alibl for him.
was q deep study for a board OF alien
lists. who finally adjudged the youth =
NOR omaniac and committed him to a
hospital for the insane.
TGstifying before this bonrd he again
told the gruesome story OF how she
refused to marry him and when his
him he warned his examiners not to
believe what she said.
The mental condition Of this youth
was described by one OF the alienists'
Or. l.. F, Foote. as a fixed delusion.
xsh he viii carry Sss as f 9as as.tmney as ne WAS WAS
introduced TO show trat It was improb-
able that Driskell killed the girl. he
steadfastly clung to his story. at the
same time admitting that he was In
sane.
nriskeli's confession was hrst report
ed from Arkansas and he was brought
here in hope that he had cleared the
mystery.
Mystery Surrounded Crime.
The girl. Miss Alice Matthews. was
fornd choked to death almost on the
doorstep Of her home In South Min
neapoiis the night Of March %. 1915.
Mystery surrounded her murder and
as yet no one has been punished for
the crime. Although Driskell has con-
fcssed four times that he killed her.
little or no credence has been given TO
evide nee that he could not have done IL
and because his mind is known to have
been affected.
When asked by a member of the
board how he felt after he killed the
"The only sensation was that Of a
man who kills hts pet rabbit and feets
queer over 1t. I choked her with poth
hands"
Young Driskeil presented an unusual
study. the examining physicians agreed.
His head is Of peculiar shape. the fore
head appearing rather low because OF
fullness at the crown. accentuated by
shock of straight dry brown hair: His
eyes are deepset. His lips are thick and
drawn at the corners. and his chin thin
and pointed.
Says Girl Fought Back.
What induced you to make this con-
fession?" inquired DR.. Foote.
"I expected to be sentenced to a place
like this so I could be treated for beins
on or whatever you call IT, he re-
piled.
He explained that when he confessed
in Arkansas he thought he would be
returned to Minneapolis. that he would
be tried for murder. but that insane
criminals are not treated at the STATE
And / knew I was insane and would
be able to prove it." he said: H., ..s..
YOU said you killed Alice Matthews?
mo. The memory Of It Is SO vivid
In my brain l can see 1t done"
ibid Alice Matthews hurt you at
"No She fought back. but didn't
hurt me. She didn't scratch me or
tear my clothes. only pushed and
struggled TO- get away. didn't tea'
ker clothes"
How did you kill herr"
II choked her." he replied coolly.
with a trace of disgust at the aues-
tion.
"You still believe you killed Alice
Matthew'S" asked DR.. Ouinby.
"I'm certain of it."
Sure of it?'
Yes"
"what reason did you have for kill
II asked her to marry me-
"And she refused?'
"She did"
Asked in what position he was to
marry. what wages he earned. he an
swered:
81 was a blamed fool. I didn't real
ize what l was doing when I asked
her to marry me-