New-York tribune., 1906-07-08
SAY THAW is INSANE.
DECIDE ON NEW DEFENCE.
Many Damaging Facts Cause Lac
uers to Change Plans.


killed stanford White on June % will be the
defence offered 20 try to save him from the
electric chair. This was decided yesterday by
ex-Judge William NJ. X. Olcott. chief counsel
for Thaw.
The insanity plea. and the dropping Of the
emotional insanity plea, was only decided on, It
is understood. when the existence of photo
graphic copy of the affidavit made by Evelyn
Nesbit Thaw against Thaw was found 70 be abb
solutely true by the defence. Tho defence, from
the time the affidavit story was first started,
had emphstically denied that such a document
had ever existed or even been thought Of This
denial was made after both Thaw and Mrs.
Thaw had denied it in toto, but it was found yes
terday to have been an error. and that such a
record was really in existence and that such an
affidavit had really been made. This fact
caused the defence to fall back on the insanity
plea and, after a hurried consultation of all
cerned. except the defendant himself. it was de-
cided that the insanity plea was the only one on
which the defence could make a stand.
DR.. Allan McLane Hamilton the alienist en-
ployed by the defence, examined Thaw at length
on Friday, and this was followed by another ex-
animation yesterday. The later examination, in
which the needle and other stringent and very
exhaustive tests were made. so pleased the coun-
sci for the defence that they decided. once for
1IlS lIlGL INSANITY WOulQ De Tne plea 10 justify
the shooting of Stanford White
It was learned later that the defence had en-
ployed four alienists to assist DR.. Hamilton in
the defence. The names were not announced by
the counsel. but it was learned that they were
DR.. Charles L Dana. DR.. Packard. formerly of
the Bellevue Hospital Psychopathic Ward: DR.
Pilgrim and DR.. Mayer. These men will meet
on Monday TO consider further examinations of
Thaw
Statements which Mrs. William Thaw. mother
OF the prisoner as well as several relatives had
made that Thaw had exhibited signs of insanity
for years will be offered by the defence, and
every one that can speak one word to show that
Thaw has been insane. or apparently insane, will
be called, it is understood, to the witness stand
In Thaw's defence.
The positive information that a copy Of an
affidavit which Mrs. Thaw had written against
her husband, with interpretations by Stanford
White himself, does exist is said TO exclude her
from testifying at the trial, and will make this
strong feature Of the defence absolutely null
and void.
SAID TEAW THREATENED HER.
It has been learned that Evelyn NesbIt did not
order the institution Of a suit for breach OF
promise against Thaw, but did swear to an af1-
davit in which she charged Thaw with having
pointed a pistol at her head and threatened to
kill her If she did not swear to a charge accus-
ing Stanford White Of accomplishing her ruin.
This affidavit was written, but IS said to have
been OF such nature that IL cannot be pub
lished. The affidavit was made. and. in spite
Of the denials Of Thaw and his wife, It is learned
that a Photographic copy was made of it for
Stanford White, to protect him.
The plate from which the photograph was
made is still in existence, and the photographer
has agreed TO give it to the District Attorney at
any time he desires It. This is the news which
the defence has been so energetically denying
for several days.
The widely discussed affidavit, or copy there
Of is not the only weapon, it is understood, that
the prosecution has against Thaw. Assistant
District Attorney Garvan yesterday questioned
Mrs Mink in reference to another affidavit in
which Thaw is said to have figured. This second
affidavit brings in with Miss Edna Mcclure
and Miss Marian Stokes. both on the stage.
The latter had engagement with Stanford
White on the night he was murdered.
It is learned that Evelyn Nesbit went to
Marian Stokes two years ago and made propo-
sition to her which caused Miss Nesbit to be
sent to Mrs. Mink It is understood that Thaw
sent Evelyn Nesbit TO Mrs. Mink to get her to
swear to. false affidavit This affidavit was
in effect that Stanford White had ruined the
daughter Of Mrs. Mink, and therefore was under
the Penal Code.
Mrs Minks daughter is Edna Mcclure.
"show girl Thaw. it is understood. offered
Mrs Mink $4,000 If she would sign such an
affidavit at the Office OF Howe & Hummel. but,
it is understood, Mrs. Mink refused to do so.
stating that the facts desired were untrue Mrs
Mink was questioned as to the affidavit before
Mr.. Garvan yesterday, and again denied the
facts as stated. It is understood, however, that
Thaw did make such proposition. but that it
was refused.
THAW EAT RIVALS vIOLETS.
The District Attorney learned yesterday of a
story regarding the treatment Of Evelyn Nesbit