The Dena Schlosser Case

15 Points Per Correct Answer - No time limit  

1. On November 22, 2004 Dena Schlosser spoke to a 911 operator named Steve Edwards. He could hear religious music playing softly in the background and Dena was eerily calm as she informed him that she had cut the arms off of her ten month old daughter. In what city did Dena reside at the time? Dallas, Texas Tuscon, Arizona New Orleans, Louisiana Plano, Texas

2. It's been determined that Dena Schlosser was suffering post-partum depression when she committed the act of violence upon her daughter Margaret. What had occurred recently that triggered her into action? Her husband had threatened to take the children and leave because she was being investigated for abusing them. She had seen a news story about a lion attacking a boy. She watched a dog die in front of the apartment and thought it was a sign from God. She heard a voice on the radio telling her to give her children to the Lord.

3. Dena Schlosser called 911 immediately after severing her Baby's arms. True False

4. It is believed that because nobody heard any screams that the baby Margaret was unconscious when Dena began to sever her arms from her body. True False

5. Officer David Tilley of the Plano (TX) Police was the first to arrive at the apartment that day. What did Dena Schlosser tell him about her actions that day? She told him he was "part of God's great plan" just as she was. She said "I am doing the work of the Lord." She simply said "I felt like I had to." She denied having done anything wrong and tried to keep him from coming into the apartment.

6. Dena's husband at the time, John Schlosser, was working in nearby Arlington when the incident occurred. What prompted him to come home early that day? He received a call from Dena saying that she had hurt the baby. By chance, he finished his work early and was sent home. Their pastor, Doyle Davidson, called and said he was worried about Dena's decline in overall emotional well being. The apartment complex called him and said that the police were at his apartment.

7. Doyle Davidson has been a minor figure in the media since the incident due to his possible contribution to Dena's degenerated mental state. What does he claim that is outlandish to the scientific community about Dena's problems? That Dena was in fact hearing the voice of God and being tested in a similar manner to Abraham in the Bible. That he himself would be able to heal her with his own powers. That Dena is in fact the devil incarnate. That mental illness is a symptom of demonic possession.

8. How did Dena plead in the subsequent trial? Guilty of capital murder. Guilty, but to a lesser charge of manslaughter. Not guilty. Not guilty by reason of insanity.

9. Was Dena Schlosser found not guilty by reason of insanity at the end of the February, 2006 trial? Yes No

10. What became of Dena Schlosser and the rest of her family? Dena was released on an outpatient basis and is receiving antipsychotic medication on a regular basis. She and John are still married. Dena was remitted as a patient at the North Texas State Hospital's psychiatric ward in Vernon. John has divorced her and has custody of their other two children. Dena died in custody at the state hospital shortly after sentencing as a result self inflicted wounds. Dena was killed in the Collin County (TX) by other inmates before transport was able to be arranged to the state hospital at Vernon.