Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1906-07-16
HARRY THAW BALKS-..
DISM|SSESATT0RNEYS.|
-c. H. l.. -
Decides to Have Another Lawyer
'.' Handle Life or Death Case.
Turns His Able Counsel Down With
No Warning and Retains Another.
Some People Might Think It Was Part OF Plan
to Secure AcQuitta| by Insanity"

torney. "as | do that i am standing
here. | would stake my soul on II.
Previous to making the stating Mr..
Hartridge explained that for years that
he had been a personal and intimate
friend of Harry" and it was as such
that he originally was called into the
case.
As to the reasons leading up to tn"
decision on the part of Harry Thaw to
dispense with the services of Black, OIL
colt, Gruper and Bonynge. Mr.. Hartrdge
said he could not speak at this time. He
added:
Judge Olcott is personal and pro-
fessional friend of mine and It would not
be fair to him or to Harry to talk about
that phase of the case until shall have
had an interview with Judge Olcott. |
expect to see him tomorrow and get from
him the results of his work for the last
two weeks or more. / have already re-
ceiyed from Judge Olcott many of the
papers in the case, including . long
statement made to the judge by Mrs.
Harry Thaw. The others, Judge Olcott
| tells me, are locked in q safe deposit
vault down town. but will be handed over
| to me tomorrow as soon as the bank
| opens for business.
Mr. Hartrdge then said to the report
| ers:
II want a full and frank understanding
! with the men who are going To follow
| this case for the new spa pers. l wish first
| of all that nobody shall be misled and
| that no stories detrimental or untrue as
| to either side shall get into print and be
| credited to the counsel for Harry Thaw.
AS it is. many stories have been printed
| that have hurt the case in the minds of
the public and the friends of both persons
| concerned in the affair"
| From n suggestion made by Mr.. Hart
| ridge that both Harry Thaw and his vile
are anxious TO make some kind of a
statement for the press. the new chief
counsel said that among other plans he
had in mind was one providing that Har-
ry and Mrs. Thaw should write out for
him whatever they think or feel that the
newspapers should know and he would
pass on the articles, and if he approved
them would give them out to the news
paper men. 1t is known to those who have
talked to Thaw and his wife that there
, are several subjects on which both wish
to speak but their lips have been sealed
hitherto by counsel.
These subjects deal in great part with
their early life and family relations.
Mr.. Hartridge was asked by one of the
reporters if he was in a position to out
: line what the defence might be, particu.
larly what attitude of the present coun.
sci would be on the insanity" theory il
view of Thnw's strong determination not
to be tried with that defence. Mr.. Hart
: ridge said:
Il will not now nor at any future time
} before the trial give even hint Of Wha
the defence will or may be. Such a pro
r ceedng would be unfair to my client a:
t well as unprofessional. 1t will be months
l before he will be brought up for trial
/, anyway. l do not look for the trial be
fore November or more probably Decem
ber'
1 Thaw spent a quiet day in the Tombs
. where he had counted on q visit from
his mother in spite of frequent warming
from Warden Flynn that there was it'll
1 likelihood of his getting past the portal
on Sunday. Warden Flynn said the da,
] had been the most "restful'' for the pris
oncr since he had entered the Tombs.