Not Just Evil: Murder, Hollywood, and California's First Insanity Plea
David Wilson
Dec 2016 · Diversion Books
3.0star
4 reviewsreport
Ebook
216
Pages
family_home
Eligible
info
reportRatings and reviews aren’t verified Learn More
About this ebook
In 1927, a schoolgirl’s murder leads to a Hollywood manhunt, a bizarre confession, and a landmark trial in this historical true crime.
Twelve-year-old Marion Parker was kidnapped from her Los Angeles school by an unknown assailant on December 15, 1927. The killer dropped her off a few days later, fleeing with the ransom money before Marion’s father discovered she had been brutally murdered. When William Edward Hickman was hunted down and charged with the killing, he admitted to all of it, in terrifying detail, but that was only the start.
Hickman’s insanity plea was the first of its kind in California, and it led to a national media frenzy. His lawyers argued that their client lived in a fantasy world, inspired by movies and unable to tell right from wrong. In a year when the first talking picture had just been released, the movie industry scrambled to protect itself from ruinous publicity. As scandals threatened the proceedings from the start, the death of a young girl grew into a referendum on the state of America at the birth of mass media culture.
Author and private investigator David Wilson captures the maelstrom surrounding Marion Parker’s death in vivid detail. From the crime itself to the manhunt that followed, the unprecedented trial, and its dramatic aftermath, Wilson draws readers into this fascinating true account of the birth of the celebrity criminal.
Twelve-year-old Marion Parker was kidnapped from her Los Angeles school by an unknown assailant on December 15, 1927. The killer dropped her off a few days later, fleeing with the ransom money before Marion’s father discovered she had been brutally murdered. When William Edward Hickman was hunted down and charged with the killing, he admitted to all of it, in terrifying detail, but that was only the start.
Hickman’s insanity plea was the first of its kind in California, and it led to a national media frenzy. His lawyers argued that their client lived in a fantasy world, inspired by movies and unable to tell right from wrong. In a year when the first talking picture had just been released, the movie industry scrambled to protect itself from ruinous publicity. As scandals threatened the proceedings from the start, the death of a young girl grew into a referendum on the state of America at the birth of mass media culture.
Author and private investigator David Wilson captures the maelstrom surrounding Marion Parker’s death in vivid detail. From the crime itself to the manhunt that followed, the unprecedented trial, and its dramatic aftermath, Wilson draws readers into this fascinating true account of the birth of the celebrity criminal.
Ratings and reviews
3.0
4 reviews
Linda Strong
- Flag inappropriate
October 24, 2016
Marion Parker was 12-years-old when kidnapped and later murdered and dismembered by William Edward Hickman on December 15, 1927. He asked for $1500 ransom which was delivered by the child's father. The killer left only Marion's torso for her father ... her arms, legs and internal organs were delivered to the police at a later date. When arrested and charged, Hickman freely admitted that he had killed Marion Parker. Hickman's lawyers absolutely were against the death penalty. The best they could hope for would be something never tried before .. an insanity defense. Their argument was that he was so involved in watching theater movies, he was living in a fantasy world and did not know right from wrong. There are several parts to this book. The reader learns a little about Hickman, hears his own words about why he felt compelled to kill. We also hear about his aversion to real life .. his fantasy world in the movie theaters was his 'real world'. At the same time, there was a war on censorship in the entertainment field. Movie makers, theater owners were at loggerheads over who would set the standards of decency. This had all started when theaters were showing pictures of Marion Parker after she was killed. Several movie moguls were concerned that the HIckman case and his link to movies would kill the industry. During Hickman's trial, both defense and prosecuting attorneys were looking for psychiatrists who would testify the way they wanted. Psychiatrists weren't much respected or believed in the 1920s and there was no clear definition of insanity. The end of the book consists of what happened to all the players after .... This was an interesting read, but I would have liked to see more information concerning HIckman's early years and maybe not so much about Hollywood. Many thanks to the author / Diversion Books / Diversion Publicity / Netgalley who provided an ARC. All opinions expressed are my own. 3.5 Stars
About the author
David G. Wilson worked for thirty years in the San Francisco Bay area with his own company providing investigative services. He was hired twice by the US Senate to investigate political corruption involving elected officials. In 1989 he made the first of seven trips to the West African Rain Forrest where he studied the philosophy, theology and rituals of the indigenous shamans. Based on these studies he has written ten books on traditional Yoruba culture and has lectured extensively on the topic. He lived for five years in Mexico where he studied the system of pyramids built throughout South America. He is currently living in New Mexico exploring sacred sites and working as a Jazz musician. He has three children and four grandchildren.
Rate this ebook
Tell us what you think.
Reading information
Smartphones and tablets
Install the Google Play Books app for Android and iPad/iPhone. It syncs automatically with your account and allows you to read online or offline wherever you are.
Laptops and computers
You can listen to audiobooks purchased on Google Play using your computer's web browser.
eReaders and other devices
To read on e-ink devices like Kobo eReaders, you'll need to download a file and transfer it to your device. Follow the detailed Help Center instructions to transfer the files to supported eReaders.
