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Old 01-14-2018, 00:27   #1
Penn
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Concept of temporary insanity

Chronology of Congressional Sex Scandals
Compiled by JOHN W. DEAN
1857

Teresa Sickles, the wife of Rep. Daniel Sickles (D. NY), had an affair with Phillip Barton Key (son of the writer of "The Star Spangled Banner.") Key was the U.S. attorney in D.C. When Sickles discovered the affair, he forced his wife to sign a lurid confession. Then Sickles shot and killed Key, when Key came by their house to signal for a tryst. Teresa's confession was published in the newspapers, producing many front-page stories. At Sickles’s trial for murder, his lawyer argued Teresa had driven him insane with her hideous betrayal. Dan Sickles enjoyed less than a pure reputation. He was said to have seduced his own mother-in-law, and was censured by the NY Assembly for bringing his mistress, a prostitute by the name of Fanny White, onto the Assembly floor. He married the beautiful Teresa when she was 16 years old. None of Sickles’s many infidelities were mentioned at the trial, however; rather, the Washington establishment lined up to support him, including President Buchanan himself, who convinced a major prosecution witness to leave town. Sickles was acquitted, and introduced the concept of temporary insanity into American criminal law.

When the verdict came down Sickles's lawyer danced a jig in the courtroom. After the acquittal, Sickles said, "Of course I intended to kill him. He deserved it."

http://supreme.findlaw.com/legal-com...-scandals.html
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Old 01-14-2018, 14:32   #2
The Reaper
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Sickles continued his stupidity into the Union Army during the Civil War.

His actions at Gettysburg as Corps commander almost cost the Union the battle, and Sickles lost his leg there to a Confederate cannonball. He subsequently sent the amputated leg to the National Museum of Health and Medicine as a display.

He went on to an equally notable political career.

TR
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Old 01-14-2018, 15:39   #3
Trapper John
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Quote:
Originally Posted by The Reaper View Post
Sickles continued his stupidity into the Union Army during the Civil War.

His actions at Gettysburg as Corps commander almost cost the Union the battle, and Sickles lost his leg there to a Confederate cannonball. He subsequently sent the amputated leg to the National Museum of Health and Medicine as a display.

He went on to an equally notable political career.

TR
Guess things have not changed all that much now have they?
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Old 01-14-2018, 15:50   #4
Old Dog New Trick
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Always grateful for the posts that further my knowledge. The internet has been a
million times better than the Brittanica Encyclopedia set I bought years ago as a stupid SGT.

The more I learn the more I realize how much of a fraud the government is and has been.
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