About this episode

The episode explores a scandalous murder case in 19th century Washington DC involving Francis Scott Key's son and the first use of a 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? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

People in this episode

Host: Elvis Duran

Topics covered

• 19th century
• Washington DC
• temporary insanity plea
• murder
• illicit affairs
• Francis Scott Key

Keywords

• murder
• temporary insanity
• Washington DC
• Francis Scott Key
• 19th century
• illicit affairs
• scandal

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Star Spangled Banner

Places: Washington DC

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