The Backstory: Sex, Murder, and the First Temporary Insanity Plea

You think life among the big shots in 19th century Washington DC was all about restraint and honor? Think again. Behind the scenes there were actually plenty of illicit affairs. We're revisiting a titillating story that involves some powerful players . . and a very young wife. At its center is the son of Francis Scott Key, who wrote the Star Spangled Banner. The affair led to a murder that was the talk of pre Civil War Washington . . and became the first case in which the defense used a plea of temporary insanity. What would it take to drive you to murder and how would you get out of it?

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