The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-02-24
SANITY TEST
ORDERED FOR
TOY GUN GIRL
Young Bandit Is Taken to
PSycopathiC Ward at
City Hospital.
CHECK SCHOOL RECORDS
Shortridge Pupil Has Been
Under Physicians Care,
Sheaffer Learns.

Psychopathic examination of Miss
Vera Wood, IT, Shortridge high
school girl, who, police say, admit
ted staging eleven holdups with a
toy pistol Tuesday was ordered to-
day by Municipal Judge William H
Sheaffer.
The brown-eyed, bobbed-haired
sophorome, who remained indiffer-
ent to consequences of her night
robbery tour, is to be taken to city
hospital psychopathic ward, proba-
bly, today, and placed under scru-
tiny of physicians.
There she will remain until
March 4 when Sheafer will rehear
charges of automobile banditry and
robbery placed against her.
Liquor Probe Is Opened
The examination was ordered
after Sheaffer investigated the girls
high school record and verified re-
ports that she has been under care
VI d pl1yOACAdl4'
At the same time, investigation
was under way to determine wheth-
err liquor, which Miss Wood told po-
lice was responsible for her alleged
crimes, was bought by the girl or
by a man whom she claims she was
with before staging the alleged rob-
berries.
In a purported confession to de-
tectives, Miss Wood said she rode
into the country in the automobile
of a man friend and drank liquor.
She said, according to the state
ment, that the man provided the
drink. His identity is unknown to
police.
May Go to Juvenile Court
Whether the girls case will be
placed before the grand Jury for
possible Indictment on felony
charges, or will be placed in juvenile
court, will be determined on Or be-
fore the March 4 hearing, it was
indicated.
1t was understood Criminal Judge
Frank P. Baker and Juvenile Judge
John F. Geckler both claim juris-
diction in the case.
Geckler declared his court holds
jurisdiction because Miss Wood is
a minor.
"She will be tried in my court if
she is under age. I don't think
there is any question on the law
in the matter Geckler said.
Girl COnfesses Robberies
Bakers court has jurisdiction in
felony cases, similar to charges
faced by the girl.
At the municipal court hearing
Tuesday afternoon, the alleged girl
bandits mother, Mrs. Eva Wood
stood sobbing at her daughters side,
and appeared near collapse before
the hearing ended.
Mrs. Wood was assisted from the
court room by Mr.. Wood. The par
entS later talked with a matror
about returning the girl to city hos
pital for treatment of a broken
wrist, suffered when a taxi driver
struggled with the girl in a frus-
trated holdup attempt.
The girl admitted, police said, that
she held up a bus driver, two apart
ment residents, five taxi drivers and
three motorists Monday night.
Bond Set at $1,000
After nearly a day in jail follow
ing her capture. Miss Wood was
taken to city hospital where an
X-ray of the broken arm was taken
and treatment was given.
According to a purported COMES
sion to detectives, Miss Wood adj
mited the holdups, although detec-
tives continued to hold Joe Hotten.
rock, 80, of Ravenswood. on a va
grancy charge.
hottenrock, a taxi driver, drove
Miss Wood to the scene of one
holdup, in which Miss Wood robbed
four taxi drivers of SO at the point
OF the toy pistol. She said he knew
nothing of the robberies, according
to police.