Mrs. Cogdon was charged with murdering her 19-year-old daughter Pat but pleaded not guilty. She had been receiving treatment for minor neurotic conditions and had disturbing dreams. One night while they were sleeping, Mrs. Cogdon took an axe and killed Pat. Experts testified that Mrs. Cogdon was suffering from hysteria with an overlay of depression and that she was not awake at the time of the killing. Therefore, the court found that the killing was not legally her act and she was acquitted.