Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-07-12
TAYLoR,s MENTAL CONDITION.
An Expert Who Considers That He
Was irresponsible.


Was Irresponsible.
DR.. 8. L. Harmon. who was medical
expert in the Taylor murder case, has
written the following letter to President
Cleveland, in connection with the move
ment which is now being made by citi-
zens of East Washington for a commu-
tation Of Taylor's sentence:
AS one of the four medical experts who
testified in the case Of Thomas J. Taylor,
now under sentence of death for shooting
his wife, I do respectfully certify to have
examined him at the United States Jail at
Washington, D. c.. on three separate oc-
cassens as to his physical and mental con-
dition. finding from his past and present
to epilepsy petit NAB. and that his men
tai and physical condition has been. and
Is now, far from normal and that the
worry and surrounding circumstances con-
nected with the weak mind of the prisoner
has rendered him a subject to attacks Of
acute mania, which could only have been
satisfied by the guarantee Of the innocence
of his wife. or the explosion of the I'M
and uncomfortable passion which he had
for his wife, and as there has been no
general satisfaction given as to legal In
sanity.
II am of the opinion that at the time that
this act was committed that the defendant
was irresponsible and did not know right
from wrong. I am sorry to differ from DR..
Chaplin of Philadelphia, the medical expert
From my personal experience and best
medical authorities 1 have learned that
great tendency to produce different diseases
of the brain and impairment of the mind
which certainly cannot be healthy with a
diseased brain, and therefore after much
consideration and thought on this case 1t
is my opinion that the extreme penalty of
the District laws should not apply to this
unfortunate man. Executive clemency, In
my opinion, should be extended by the
President to this man."
A Telegram to the President.
Acting under instructions from a commit
tee of the East Washington Citizens Asso-
citation, engaged in an effort to secure q
Communication of the sentence of Thomas J.
Taylor. Mr.. Loring Chapel last night sent
the following telegram to President Cleve-
land, at Gray Gables:
IA committee. representing the unani-
nous voice Of the citizens of East Wash
ington, called upon your Attorney General
and presented petition for pardon In the
case Of Thomas ]. Taylor, sentenced to be
hung July 20. We ask your earnest atten-
ton, and pray that you Will grant us our
request. This is a case in which executive
c,emency should be shown"
Individual Appeals.
There is much earnestness and activity
among those who are endeavoring to Sc
cure a Communication Of Taylor's sentence
A correspondent Of The Star writes:
II have this day written the President
personally, adding my request for executive
clemency in this case to the, request Of
those that have already been submitted.
Through the medium of your valuable col
umns. I would suggest that all friends Of
mercy and all good citizens of the District
of Columbia who know anything of this
case write personal letter, as I have DONE
to the President. requesting that he extend
executive clemency to Taylor"