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Story
October 13, 1837
Alexandria Gazette
Alexandria, Alexandria County, District Of Columbia
What is this article about?
In the October 1837 term of the United States Circuit Court, a woman was tried for murdering her child. The defense claimed insanity, and despite evidence of the crime, the jury returned a not guilty verdict. A second indictment for another child's murder was dropped with court consent.
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Full Text
United States Circuit Court of U. S.
Oct. Term, 1837.
This was a trial of the prisoner on an indictment for the murder of her own child. The fact of committing the crime was clearly shewn by the testimony and by the prisoner's proved admissions. The defence set up was insanity; and several witnesses were examined to prove the imbecility and great mental perversion of the prisoner. The ground taken by the prosecution, was that admitting the general mental weakness of the prisoner it did not amount to such weakness as destroyed her moral sense of the distinction between right and wrong; and that if the prisoner was insane, the crime, from the testimony, was committed in a lucid interval. After hearing the arguments of counsel, the jury retired at a late hour, and returned into court next morning with a verdict of "not guilty."
On another indictment against the prisoner for the murder of another of her children at the same time and place, a nolle prosequi, with consent of the Court, was entered.
Mr. Semmes and Mr. Addison for the prosecution. Mr. Wm. L. Brent and Mr. Dickins for the prisoner.
Oct. Term, 1837.
This was a trial of the prisoner on an indictment for the murder of her own child. The fact of committing the crime was clearly shewn by the testimony and by the prisoner's proved admissions. The defence set up was insanity; and several witnesses were examined to prove the imbecility and great mental perversion of the prisoner. The ground taken by the prosecution, was that admitting the general mental weakness of the prisoner it did not amount to such weakness as destroyed her moral sense of the distinction between right and wrong; and that if the prisoner was insane, the crime, from the testimony, was committed in a lucid interval. After hearing the arguments of counsel, the jury retired at a late hour, and returned into court next morning with a verdict of "not guilty."
On another indictment against the prisoner for the murder of another of her children at the same time and place, a nolle prosequi, with consent of the Court, was entered.
Mr. Semmes and Mr. Addison for the prosecution. Mr. Wm. L. Brent and Mr. Dickins for the prisoner.
What sub-type of article is it?
Crime Story
Historical Event
What themes does it cover?
Crime Punishment
Madness
What keywords are associated?
Murder Trial
Insanity Defense
Not Guilty Verdict
Child Murder
1837 Court Case
What entities or persons were involved?
The Prisoner
Mr. Semmes
Mr. Addison
Mr. Wm. L. Brent
Mr. Dickins
Where did it happen?
United States Circuit Court Of U. S.
Story Details
Key Persons
The Prisoner
Mr. Semmes
Mr. Addison
Mr. Wm. L. Brent
Mr. Dickins
Location
United States Circuit Court Of U. S.
Event Date
Oct. Term, 1837
Story Details
Trial of a prisoner for murdering her child, with clear evidence of the crime but successful insanity defense leading to not guilty verdict; second indictment for another child's murder entered nolle prosequi.