Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-12-23
Let There Be No DELAY,

AS q consequence of the far.fiung
publicity given TO the Los Angeles
atrocity the murderer Of little Marion
Parker has been captured in flight
After several days of search he was
taken in Oregon while trying to
escape. having been trailed in that
direction through his use OF one of
the bills received by him from the
father Of the slain child. His cap
ture is hailed by millions of people
throughout the country as giving
promise of swift justice in punish.
ment for one of the most abominable
crimes ever committed.
Immediately after being taken Hiok.
man confessed to participation in the
kidnapping of the little girl but claimed
that he had had no part in her murder
He averred that a partner, whom he
identifies only vaguely and of whom
there is no present trace. actually
did the killing. This is regarded with
the utmost doubt by the police of Los
being made for such another man and
for woman also mentioned as sharing
IN the conspiracy.
1t is Of little moment, as regards the
fate Of the fugitive who has just been
caught, whether or not he had an &C.
complete in the crime. Under the law
OF California any person who partict
ipates in a crime in which life is
taken Is guilty OF murder, the penalty
for which is death by hanging. Ac.
cording to the exculpatory confession
already made, Hickman. though he
processes 10 have been shocked by the
killing Of the child. went through with
the ransom collection. That places
him in the accessory class and renders
him subject to the extreme sentence
OF death.
1t Is striking commentary upon
the present state of judicial procedure
In this country that a general appre.
hension is felt lest this fiend in human
form may escape the penalty which
he justly deserves and which, for the
sake OF society's protection, should be
swiftly imposed and executed. Fear
Is felt that the plea of insanity may
be made. TO lessen the penalty, per.
haps TO secure acquittal. Before the
man was caught mention was made
Of background Of mental unbalance
In his case.
While there have been abominable
crimes heretofore in which the in.
sanity plea has been invoked to spare
the life. and even TO obtain the free.
dom, Of the criminals--one has very
recently occurred in Cincinnati-this
case presents such an aspect of horror
that IL the plea OF mental irresponsi.
bility is entertained there will surely
be a widespread and violent revulsion
Of feeling against this defense. with
a peremptory demand for the amend.
rnent Of the laws in the States TO pre-.
vent such miscarriages Of justice.
Cnmistakably the trend toward
greater mercy IN the punishment OF
crime has carried 10 dangerous ex-
IRENE. The repeated presentation OF
testimony by alienists-they are now
styled psychiatrists-in behalf Of per.
sons accused Of atrocities has brought
the country 10 a realization Of the
danger that the law against murder
;s being nullihed.
This apprehension may be unwar.
rsnied in the present case. The
processes Of Justice may he swift and
certain. with no consideration given 10
the plea II irSesponsibiity. IL assured.
ly should be, else the feeling will pre-.
vail throughout the country that the
time has come ~ halt by universal
law amendment the tendency toward
confinement Of crime on psychologi-
cal grounds.
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