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Story
November 20, 1917
The Seattle Star
Seattle, King County, Washington
What is this article about?
Sensational trial of Chilean heiress Mrs. Bianca De Saulles for murdering ex-husband John De Saulles in Mineola, NY, on Nov. 20. Defense claims 'Dementia Materna' from custody battle over son; jury selection underway with four jurors accepted.
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Full Text
"Dementia Materna" to Be De Saulles Defense
BY HUGH BAILLIE
United Press Correspondent
MINEOLA, L. I., Nov. 20. - "Dementia Materna" is the plea that is to be advanced in an effort to save Mrs. Bianca De Saulles from conviction and possible death for the murder of her former husband, John Longer De Saulles.
As the trial of the beautiful Chilean heiress is taking its place with other sensational struggles of New York's court history, this new plea promises to rival the famous "dementia Americana" of the Thaw case.
Want Square-Jawed Jurors
Attorneys for the defense are determined to get a jury of "square-jawed" men to pass on this plea.
After repeated appeals for possession of her 5 year-old son, Jack, it will be argued that Mrs. De Saulles' mind was so affected that she was temporarily irresponsible. Going to "The Box," the De Saulles home, she made a final effort to obtain the boy. The dashing young clubman she had divorced turned his back on her. Then she killed him.
Four Jurors had been accepted when court reconvened today.
Mrs. De Saulles Pale
Mrs. De Saulles, pale as an ivory figure, listless and demure, listened, apparently unmoved, to the preliminary wrangles in the battle for her life.
She seemed the most unconcerned person in the room.
The battery of four prosecutors had one stock question:
"Would the fact that De Saulles had been divorced by this defendant for infidelity on his part, influence you in a verdict in this case?"
The state expects a surprise attempt by the defense to expose some of De Saulles' secret life in court, probably with the summoning of well-known stage characters.
A fifth juror was obtained after six talesmen had been examined today. He is William B. Jones, a real estate man of Freeport.
BY HUGH BAILLIE
United Press Correspondent
MINEOLA, L. I., Nov. 20. - "Dementia Materna" is the plea that is to be advanced in an effort to save Mrs. Bianca De Saulles from conviction and possible death for the murder of her former husband, John Longer De Saulles.
As the trial of the beautiful Chilean heiress is taking its place with other sensational struggles of New York's court history, this new plea promises to rival the famous "dementia Americana" of the Thaw case.
Want Square-Jawed Jurors
Attorneys for the defense are determined to get a jury of "square-jawed" men to pass on this plea.
After repeated appeals for possession of her 5 year-old son, Jack, it will be argued that Mrs. De Saulles' mind was so affected that she was temporarily irresponsible. Going to "The Box," the De Saulles home, she made a final effort to obtain the boy. The dashing young clubman she had divorced turned his back on her. Then she killed him.
Four Jurors had been accepted when court reconvened today.
Mrs. De Saulles Pale
Mrs. De Saulles, pale as an ivory figure, listless and demure, listened, apparently unmoved, to the preliminary wrangles in the battle for her life.
She seemed the most unconcerned person in the room.
The battery of four prosecutors had one stock question:
"Would the fact that De Saulles had been divorced by this defendant for infidelity on his part, influence you in a verdict in this case?"
The state expects a surprise attempt by the defense to expose some of De Saulles' secret life in court, probably with the summoning of well-known stage characters.
A fifth juror was obtained after six talesmen had been examined today. He is William B. Jones, a real estate man of Freeport.
What sub-type of article is it?
Crime Story
What themes does it cover?
Crime Punishment
Family
Justice
What keywords are associated?
Murder Trial
Dementia Materna
Custody Dispute
Jury Selection
Insanity Plea
What entities or persons were involved?
Mrs. Bianca De Saulles
John Longer De Saulles
Jack
Where did it happen?
Mineola, L. I.
Story Details
Key Persons
Mrs. Bianca De Saulles
John Longer De Saulles
Jack
Location
Mineola, L. I.
Event Date
Nov. 20
Story Details
Mrs. Bianca De Saulles is on trial for murdering her ex-husband John Longer De Saulles after a custody dispute over their son Jack. Defense pleads 'Dementia Materna' due to temporary insanity from repeated custody denials. Trial involves jury selection of square-jawed men; four jurors accepted, fifth is William B. Jones.