Monday, March 23, 2020

Foster Parsons, Cured of Insanity, Faces Murder Trial in July, March 25, 1920

From the Rockingham Post-Dispatch, Thursday afternoon, March 25, 1920.

Parsons to Face Jury. . . Attorneys for Foster Parsons Will Apply for Habeas Corpus Before Judge Finley at April 5th Term. . . Will be Tried July Term. . . Insanity Plea. . . He Confidently Expects Acquittal

The Post-Dispatch stated last issue that there was a possibility that the attorneys for Foster Parsons might submit to a charge of second degree murder for their client, at April 5th term and accept a sentence of life imprisonment.

This statement was made, of course, on surmise, and was not an authoritative statement from his attorneys or anyone connected with the case.

In an interview with Mr. Stack, of counsel for Parsons, the Post-Dispatch is informed that not only has the defense no intention of submitting to second degree murder, but that they have every prospect of acquittal for their client. Mr. Stack states that they will enter trial confident of acquittal,--on the grounds of insanity at the time the murders were committed. And not only will the same evidence be introduced at the next trial to show his insanity, but additional evidence will be brought forward to show his mental irresponsibility at that time.

The attorneys for Parsons intend to apply to Judge Finley at April 5th term of court for a writ of habeas corpus for their client, so that he can be liberated on bail.

The trial itself will not come up at the April term. The next criminal term will be in July, and it is likely he will stand formal trial then The defense assert that they can prove by positive evidence that Foster Parsons’ mind was deranged at the time the two jitney drivers were killed last August, and that he is not responsible. And if the next jury finds that the young man was not insane at the time, the verdict would be guilty.

At any rate, he will try at April term to be admitted on bond, and then place his case in the hands of 12 of his countrymen, probably at the July term.


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