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Sir: It was a great disappointment to me and those who knew my husband that the returned verdict was guilty of murder in the first degree instead of not guilty by reason of insanity. As members of his family, we did not expect the law to excuse his crimes, but to treat the condition that made him commit them. Winston Moseley for his 28 years has been quiet, shy and alone. He has been a devoted husband and father; then, it seemed, something snapped psychologically and made him commit antisocial acts. His behavior was called an "irresistible impulse" by psychiatrists, who explained that such people are unable to control themselves. This condition constitutes "medical insanity," but because of an obsolete rule, he was not found legally insane. He is intelligent, but of course we know that sane persons do not behave in such a manner.
ELIZABETH MOSELEY South Ozone Park, N.Y.
Sir: Re "A Savage Stalks at Midnight": as a human being, I am horrified; as a Negro, I am ashamed; as a woman, I am terrified. It could have happened to me. D. M. CHRISTIE Los Angeles
Disembodied Monkeys Sir: Let us hope that those live, disembodied monkey brains [June 19] are not conscious. If they are, however, I believe Dr. White should be urged to volunteer his own brain for these ingenious experiments.
JEAN ROESSINGER Shandaken, N.Y.
Sir: So! Some day our own brains might be used as "cheap computers"—very possibly without our acquiescence. Instead of eternal rest, part of us may end up programming how many boxes of the new detergent should be shipped to the Peoria warehouse in the first quarter. Best recommendation for cremation I ever heard.
C. R. KAMM Lima, Peru
Ray of Hope
Sir: The story on Builder Cortese and Architect Callister [June 19] is like a ray of hope to one bucking the no-architecture boys building the wasteland around us. Indeed, good architecture is good business. The public isn't as ignorant as they believe; it is just the lack of choice. Not many have been offered architecture yet.
WILLIAM ABBOTT Architect Abbott-Wilkinson Associates Glendora, Calif.
No Hitlerian Link
Sir: Anyone who equates contraception with Hitler's precepts, as did Psychiatrist Frank Ayd in his commencement address to Xavier University [June 19], should examine his own mental health. Dr. Ayd's lack of restraint in fathering twelve children cost him only perhaps a sports car or an expensive vacation. Twelve children born to one of lower economic station can mean absolute destitution and lack of education and opportunity for the blameless offspring. I protest being linked with Hitler just because I choose to limit my own family and to help others do the same.
WILLIAM J. CAMERON, M.D. Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics University of Kansas Medical Center Kansas City, Kans.