Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1906-07-19
NEW ATTORNEY IN FULL CHARGE
Two Women Become Friends and
Leave the Tombs Arm in Arm
Jerome Lays Down the Law as to
an Insanity Plea-It viii Not Save
Him From Trial at a Future Date.


NEW YORK, II. Y. July 1S.-Thc
chaotic conditions surrounding the
preparation OF a defense for Harry
K. Thaw. accused of the murder of
Stanford White. were accentuated to.
day and by the apparent breach be.
tween the prisoner and his mother,
Mrs. William Thaw. of Pittsburg. as
to the character of defense Is wider
than ever.
Following quickly upon confer.
ence of two hours with Thaw IN the
Tombs, after the mother had twice
during the day endcavorcd to gain
the boys consent to the re-cmploy-
ment of the law firm of Black. OF.
cutt, Gruber and Bonygnc, aud to
consent TO plea of insanity, Cliff
ford W., Partridge. Thaw,s personal
counsel obtained from'Justice Blanch-
ard, in special term of the Supreme
Court late today, an order directing
Judge Olcott's firm to show cause
next Friday why they should not
turn over to Hartridge all the papers
in 1haw's case.
Mr.. Hartrldge based his motion on
n petition signed by Thaw which
was placed on record in connection
with the proceedings.
Mrs. Thaw Meets Sons Wife.
This move was distinct surprise.
being contradiction of reports which
had gained wide circulation earlier
In the day to the effect that Thaw
had consented to his mothers plan
of action. The rImor that the young
man had at last bowed to his moth
er's Will undoubtedly had It's origin
In the fact that Mrs. William Thaw
and Mrs. Harry Thaw, who were i'm
conference with Thaw at the same
time today. emerged from the prison
arm In arm. 1t was the first time
they had been together.
Thaw's wife has all along support.
ed him In his demand for trial
on the issues of the case and has
opposed the insanity plea.
Young Woman Sides With Prisoner.
She has thus been arraycd against
the elder Mrs. Thaw, who seems to
feel that the only hope of saving her
son from death in the electric chair
is to depend upon a defense of in
sanity. This plea would avoid the
further publicity and ignominy of a
trial and has been mistakenly urged
upon the prisoner who, however, ap.
parently remains obdurate
Mrs. William Thaw had two long
conferences with her son today. Dur
ing the second, word was dispatch
ed to Mrs. Harry r. Thaw, summon
ing her in all haste. She soon reach
ed the prison. The mother had
gained the second interview from
the warden OH the strength of plea
that her mission was of the utmost
Importance and could not be delayed.
Order Follows Interview.
Following the family conferences
Mr.. Hartridge had his interview with
Thaw and went directly from the
Tombs to the criminal courts rooms,
where he obtained the order in the
proceedings against Thaw's former
counsel.
Justice Mclean adjourned until to-
morrow the hearing on the writ Of
Injunction obtained yesterday by
counsel for Harry K. Thaw to pre-
vent District Attorney Jerome and
the grand jury from examining fur
ther witnesses in the Thaw murder
case.
The court yesterday ordered the
district attorney to show cause why
the writ of prohibition should not be
made permanent and today's hearing
was to have decided whether or not
1t should continue in force.