Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-01-06
"Psychosis Stuff"

defense for murder in cases OF cxcep-
tional atrocity has aroused a pronounced
reaction throughout the country. Fear
Is felt that the efficacy of the law
which forbids the taking of life on pain
of death, or Of hopeless life imprison-
ment in States where the death pen
atty is not established. is being weak
ened b. the device OF. psychological
Claims OF responsibility. The Hics-
man case in California is especially to
the point. But while that case is de-
veloping there has arisen a fresh in
stance in New York. In the final pleas
before the governor for clemency BY
the counsel for the man and woman
VINO have been convicted of killing the
latter's husband in a most brutal man
ner.
When that case came TO the point OF
hearing before the governor yesterday
the claim was advanced that the wom-
an had in her girlhood suffered SUM-
stroke and was therefore not account
able for her actions In maturity. It
was urged that the pair were suffering
from morbid mental condition that
prevented them from resisting evil i'm
pulses. 1t was contended that the
slayers, particularly the woman. we're
in the twilight zone" of limited re-
sponsibility, finally being moved by an
Unsuitable determination for a victim. ;"
The man was pictured as existing In a
strange, hazy world. distorted by the
unQuenchable fire within the psychical
self of the woman. and living In con-
tinuous deiirium ending in a tragic
crime"
The news reports Of the hearing bring
some reinsurance to those who have
felt uneasy on the score OF the possible
escape from punishment by the partic-
ipanrs in this CHASTITY tragedy. Gov.
Smith. IL is stated. displayed manifest
impotence with the ''psychosis stuff. ="
as he expressed it, that was put for.
ward In extcnuation. With reference
TO the claim that the mentality. resist
ance, will and physical selves Of the de-
PENDANTS were such that they were ''liv-
ing IN another world and unable to
resist the temptation to take life. the
governor exclaimed; According to that.
when you wanted to commit crime
you would have only TO do some OF
these other foolish things first" He
pointed out that under the wording of
the law on sanity a criminal could be
an idiot, an imbccile or lunatic and
stiil be held accountable for murder In
the first degree If he knew the nature
end quality Of his act and knew 1t 10
be wrong. There is always abnormality
about a person committing crime. he
said. Addressing one of the counsel
h. added:
According 20 you no one should be
held accountable Tor his acts unless he
was a strong minded person. inteliec-
eaaliy unyieiding and unbcnding. i'm
paryious TO influence and one hundred
pr cent conscious OF right and wrong.
ONE day some one comes 10 me and
says that because n person convicted OF
murGcr is poor. uneducated. has no ad-
var n.es, victim o. surroundings, he
ghollo be saved. Today you come here
ard tell me that because this man is
well educated. a Sunday school teacher,
q sympathetic and loving man. gen.
orally fine person, he should b: saved.
am not going 10 be concerned with
this psychosis. am not going TO pay
any attention 20 IL. And while you are
speaking OF background. consider my
background ] have taken an oath Of
once 10 support the law. Keep out all
this ether stun. Stick To the law.
The governors decision. 1t In stated.
viii b. rendered next week. II would
seem from his remarks during the hear
ing that there IL little doubt OF In ma
ture. And IL 1t follows the line OF his
reasoning expressed yesterday there viii
bs a decided feeling OF relief through
out the country.