The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-02-03

AAohC oGuOChC W a InOI OoC anu III
Brutality of the crime he
committed.
Lack Of a definite motive and
the small sum demanded as
ransom.
Testimony Of the father and
mother that Hickman was
"born dead. "
Evidence that his mother, Mrs
Eva Hickman, had been committed
to an asylum and that shortly be-
fore Hickman'S birth she was in
her worst mental state.
Hickman was deluded by tho be-
lief that a Special Providence" or
dered him to murder Marion Par
ker, DR.. Shelton, former sanity COM
missioner of San Diego, testified.
Believes He Is Divine
The anenist testified that his
questioning of the young murderer
had brought out that Hickman be-
lieved himself greater than Christ,
and that he was sent to earth with
a message for all men,"
According to DR.. Shelton, Hick-
man told him that he was to be
man without emotion and that the
murder was directed by "Provi-
dence" as a test.
The witness testified that Hick-
man said that at one time during
the dismembering of Marion Par
ker's body he stopped his work and
played a phonograph record to de-
termine whether he was experience
ing any emotion.
DR.. Shelton said that Hickman
believes that if he were hanged he
would be like Christ.
( Hopes to Escape Moose
At other times he believes that
he never will be hanged, but that
his providence" will cause some
accident that will halt the law, DR..
Shelton said.
"He is under the delusion, for ex-
ample, that he could make you his
friend" DR.. Shelton said, address
ing District Attorney Asa Keyes.
THAT is the first real delusion
you nave shown us" Keyes declared.
The remark was ordered stricken
from the records by Judge ]. J.
Trabucco.
It was believed the State would
begin, by calling Perry M. Parker
father Of the girl for whose murder
Hickman is on trial.
Parker believes Hickman should
be hanged" In this he is supported
by his wife. 1--WE don't base our be-
lief on a spirit of revenge" Parker
said, "but we think society should
be made safe from such a fiend.
Parker termed the insanity de-
tense a<S'sham."
Prosecution In Quandary
The prosecution admittedly was
ct loss as. to plans of rebuttal
since the defense already has placed
all of the important State witnesses,
except Parker, on the stand.
The trial reached a climax Thurs
day when the Hickman family
mother, father and brother Of Ed
ward-calne into court to term Ed
ward insane. The father, Thomas
Hickman, and the brother, Alfred,
told of the insanity heritage on the
mothers side.
Thomas Hickman told Of his fam
fly life and Of the threatened muir
derous attacks by his wife.
IT am just like any other man."
he sobbed as the State sought to
establish in cross examination that
his affairs with other women had
brought about collapse of his wife's
health.
Mother Tells of Life
Alfred, the first of the family to
take the stand. declared he believed
Edward insane.
Then the mother, Mrs. Eva Hick-
man, took the stand. She is a slim
little woman. Her gray hair was
tied back in an old-fashioned knot.
In a high, thin voice she recited
the events of her life, in which sui
eide attempts, wayward husband,
i've children and poverty stricken
home Wed for attention.