Hello Dreamers and welcome back to this California Dreaming series entitled The Tale of California's

very first insanity plea.

Last time in part three, with William Edward Hickman's trial winding down, both sides presenting

their cases along with a parade of experts testifying for each side as to whether or not Hickman

was insane when he murdered Mary and Parker.

That is where we left off.

I want to remind you that most of the details contained in this episode are from a book

written on this case entitled Not Just Evil by David Wilson.

I developed this script based on the story and timeline in that book, however the various

official records and documents that were transcribed into the book, I have read those to

you directly.

And another reminder, this episode contains details involving crimes committed against

a young child.

Some of the details are extremely graphic in nature.

They are disturbing and may not be suitable for some listeners.

The center discretion is strongly advised.

So alright, let's get to this fourth and final part of this series, The Tale of California's

very first insanity plea.

In the last episode, part three, I told you that there was a letter that Hickman wrote

in jail that was to be read into the record for the jury at his trial.

Hickman's defense team would frame this letter as the musings of an insane man.

So let me tell you what this letter said.

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