Harper Lee, the reclusive author of 1960's "To Kill a Mockingbird," has become the subject of an elder abuse investigation by the State of Alabama after the publication of her second book, "Go Set a Watchman," was announced last month.
The New York Times reported Wednesday that Lee was interviewed by adult welfare investigators last month at the assisted living facility where the 88-year-old author currently resides. There, they tried to assess if her mental faculties were strong enough to have knowingly consented to the publication of the book, which she reportedly wrote in the 1950s before "Mockingbird" was ever published.
"Ms. Lee — known to many as Nelle, her legal first name — had a stroke in 2007 and has severe hearing and vision problems," wrote The Times. "But friends who visit her regularly say she can communicate well and hold lengthy conversations if visitors yell in her ear or write questions down for her to read under a special machine (a black marker is kept in her room for this purpose)."
Some friends say Lee did likely assent to the publication, while others aren't so sure, and conflicting accounts of her abilities abound.
Lee was primarily cared for by her sister, Alice, in recent years, however she died last November.
Just a few months before that, Lee’s lawyer, Tonja Carter, came across the manuscript and negotiated a book deal with publisher HarperCollins.
The investigation is ongoing, and may or may not produce action by the state.
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