SWOPE'S SISTER IS FREED. ~ Mrs. Plunkett, Sent to Asylum by Husband, Is Declared of Sound Mind by Jury.

January 16, 1910
SWOPE'S SISTER IS FREED.

Mrs. Plunkett, Sent to Asylum by
Husband, Is Declared of Sound
Mind by Jury.

NASHVILLE, TENN., Jan. 15. -- The inquisition to establish the mental capacity of Mrs. Jane Plunkett, which has been going on in the chancery court for three weeks, came to an abrupt end today. The jury, after thirty-five minutes, decided her to be of sound mind, thus reversing the opinion of the Davidson county court, which about a year ago adjudged her insane and appointed her son-in-law, Percy Brown, her guardian.

Following addresses to the jury covering the last two sessions of court, made by the pick of the local legal talent, Mrs. Plunkett has been vindicated. She was sent to an asylum by her husband, Dr. J. D. Plunkett.

During the trial more than fifty witnesses were placed on the stand and charges of a sensational character were freely made by both sides. When court opened this morning a controversy between counsel for both sides took place over the instructions to the jury.

Those for Dr. Plunkett held that in addition to establishing her mental condition the value of her estate and the next of kin should be determined. The jury was finally charged to determine the state of her mind with reference to taking care of not only herself, but her own property, and upon this basis their verdict was rendered.

All of this was dependable upon a verdict of insanity and neither her estate nor her future can be further distributed. It is thought that her guardianship will be dissolved immediately.

The trial has caused an extreme bitterness to develop between former friends of the family who are now aligned on either side.

It is thought that a protracted trip with complete change of climate will be necessary, as the ordeal of the inquisition has tolled heavily upon her condition.