And now, the end has come...
On February 18, 1936, during Day 7 of the trial, Phil Kennamer testified before a packed courtroom. Dr. Karl Menniger recalled his earlier testimony, stating he believed Phil was insane when he ended John Jr., citing a psychopathic personality. Dr. E.A. Werner, who examined Phil multiple times, concurred, noting Phil couldn't grasp right from wrong at the time of the murder. When Phil took the stand, his deliberate and concise responses seemed to AFFIRM his sanity. He claimed his motive was to protect Virginia from kidnapping and denied any mental instability, though his answers contradicted others' testimonies. The day concluded with the defense resting.
By February 19, Day 8, the state presented rebuttals, challenging the insanity plea. Various professionals, including educators and mental health doctors, testified that Phil showed signs of a psychopathic personality but did not exhibit true insanity. The prosecution argued against the self-defense claim, and the timeline of the gunshots indicated premeditation. The case was in the hands of the jury now…
Join us for Part 5, THE END, of the High Society Murder.
Sources:
Murder in the Name of Love: The Phil Kennamer Trial by Jim Freese
Deadly Hero: The High Society Murder that Created Hysteria in the Heartland by Jason Lucky Morrow
Okemah Daily Leader, Vol. 17, No. 64, Ed. 1 Tuesday, February 3, 1942
