Medicine: Sterilizers Punished

Sterilizers Punished A Michigan jury decided last week that although it may be legal to sterilize a mental incompetent, the deed is not necessarily impunible. The decision warned judges, prosecutors, sociologists and doctors in the 27 States which permit sterilization to watch their p’s & q’s.

The Michigan example grew out of William Well’s elopement with Myrtle Krause two years ago. He was 21, a farm boy; she was 16, ward of the Probate Court at Hart. Mich. William Wells testified that after his arrest. Probate Judge Henry I. Palmiter threatened him with three to five years in the penitentiary unless he consented to sterilization. Dr. Norman W. Heysett performed the simple operation.

Sterilized William Wells brooded, felt humiliated, believed his health impaired. Last week a jury of middleaged, married men, sympathizing with him, awarded him $1,750 against the probate judge, $1,000 against the probate register and $500 against the sheriff. Dr. Heysett was held blameless.

Myrtle Krause, now 18, remains a ward of the State, in the girls’ home at Adrian.