The Nightmare Murder: Tacoma Wife Killed by Husband in Sleep
An inquest reveals that Charles Corey strangled his wife while suffering from a nightmare, sparking debate over whether he was guilty of murder or merely a victim of his own subconscious.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
TACOMA, March 18.—The inquest held over the remains of Mrs. Charles R. Corey, who met death at the hands of her husband while he was asleep and dreaming, has been held, but nothing new developed. The most important witness was the husband, but his testimony under oath did not vary from what has been published. The jury was made up of prominent business men, and their verdict was in effect that Mrs. Corey came to her death at some period between midnight and 4 o'clock in the hands of her husband while he was asleep and under the influence of a nightmare.
Word has been received that a sister of Mr. Corey has left Washington state, where she and her father reside, to take him back. Mr. Corey formerly resided at Washington [State], and his father is now a practicing physician of that city.
The remains of Mrs. Corey will be held here waiting word from relatives in Oregon.
This 1903 case highlights the historical legal struggle surrounding 'sleepwalking' or parasomnia as a defense for violent acts. Today, such cases are still rare but recognized in forensic psychiatry, though the burden of proof is significantly higher than in an era when juries of 'prominent business men' might have been more swayed by the sensationalism of a husband killing his wife in her sleep.
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