Imperial Valley Press

HE MUST NOT ESCAPE

Another terrible crime against a little girl, with Michigan as the scene of horror this time. It does not seem to be far amiss to declare that the Hickman case inspired this latest outrage.

Also since Hickman's crime, two other cases of kidnaping have occurred in California. If one good deed can inspire another, it follows equally true that one foul deed can cause many others.

California cannot allow this foul wretch whom she has in custody to hoodwink her. His attempts to fake insanity, and the rehearsing reported to be going on in his cell, are nothing more than brazen gestures against justice. One also wonders just what sort of ethics these doctors who are trying to declare him insane boast of. Hickman has a "screw loose", as the layman says. Of that there is no doubt. But to claim that he does not know right from wrong is as far-fetched as saying the sun rises in the west and sets in the east.

It is maddening to right-minded citizens to read day after day of the contempt in which this young wretch holds all that is decent or righteous. Even the crude justice of the old time "vigilante" was a lot more consideration than Hickman deserves. To coddle him as appears to be the case is a sin against justice.