Part 1 of a 5-part Smokestack Soundbites series on John Patric.

In 1958, Snohomish resident and writer John Patric was involuntarily committed to Northern State Hospital for the Insane. The psychiatrists there diagnosed him as a paranoid schizophrenic, and recommended he be locked up indefinitely. They said he was a danger to society. As permitted by Washington State law, Patric demanded—and received—a jury trial to determine the matter of his sanity. This is the story of that trial, and of John Patric.

Learn more about Patric through the Northwest Room's digital collections.

Part 2 of a 5-part Smokestack Soundbites series on John Patric.

In 1958, Snohomish resident and writer John Patric was involuntarily committed to Northern State Hospital for the Insane. The psychiatrists there diagnosed him as a paranoid schizophrenic, and recommended he be locked up indefinitely. They said he was a danger to society. As permitted by Washington State law, Patric demanded—and received—a jury trial to determine the matter of his sanity. This is the story of that trial, and of John Patric.

Learn more about Patric through the Northwest Room's digital collections.

Part 3 of a 5-part Smokestack Soundbites series on John Patric.

In 1958, Snohomish resident and writer John Patric was involuntarily committed to Northern State Hospital for the Insane. The psychiatrists there diagnosed him as a paranoid schizophrenic, and recommended he be locked up indefinitely. They said he was a danger to society. As permitted by Washington State law, Patric demanded—and received—a jury trial to determine the matter of his sanity. This is the story of that trial, and of John Patric.

Learn more about Patric through the Northwest Room's digital collections.

Part 4 of a 5-part Smokestack Soundbites series on John Patric.

In 1958, Snohomish resident and writer John Patric was involuntarily committed to Northern State Hospital for the Insane. The psychiatrists there diagnosed him as a paranoid schizophrenic, and recommended he be locked up indefinitely. They said he was a danger to society. As permitted by Washington State law, Patric demanded—and received—a jury trial to determine the matter of his sanity. This is the story of that trial, and of John Patric.

Learn more about Patric through the Northwest Room's digital collections.

Part 5 of a 5-part Smokestack Soundbites series on John Patric.

In 1958, Snohomish resident and writer John Patric was involuntarily committed to Northern State Hospital for the Insane. The psychiatrists there diagnosed him as a paranoid schizophrenic, and recommended he be locked up indefinitely. They said he was a danger to society. As permitted by Washington State law, Patric demanded—and received—a jury trial to determine the matter of his sanity. This is the story of that trial, and of John Patric.

"The Ballad of John Patric (Eccentric But Justified)"

• Lyrics: David Dilgard
• Arranged and performed by Van Ramsey

Learn more about Patric through the Northwest Room's digital collections.

"...a band of three lads dedicated to frivolity, wit and butt-shakin' boogaloo."

Thumbnail image by Andrew Hitchcock

A brilliant Norse saga, written in World War II, resurfaces.

"The Treatment" of Jennifer Kent's 2015 new horror classic, The Babadook.

A tragicomic look at the most unfunny place in the world.

Music: North Korean national anthem.

Crooks, footpads and gangsters cavort and sing in 1955's "Guys and Dolls" An audio review, written by Alan Jacobson and produced by Everett Public Library, WA.