The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1906-08-08
MOTHER OF HARRY THAW
DISMISSED HIS COUNSEL
ON HER OWN voL1T1oN AND WAS NOT INFLUENCED
BY HER SON SHE sAYs-DEFENsE EXPECTS A
SPEEDY ACQUITTAL OF SLAYER OF WHITE
HARRY STATES THAT ETHEL THOMAS LIVES.
Special to The Evening Times.

Special to The Evening Times.
New York, Aug. S.-Mrs. Mary
Copeley Thaw, the mother of Harry
Kendall Thaw, who is imprisoned in
the Tombs charged with having killed
Stanford White on June IS, denies that
her son had caused her to change her
views regarding the best possible de-
fence for him. Instead, she said, she
had decided to dismiss ex-Judge Will
liam NJ. X. Olcott and retain Clifford
w. Hartridge, Thaw's personal coun-
sci, of her own violition.
1T is entirely on my own observa-
tion," Mrs. Thaw said. that have
come to the conclusion that had made
an error in accepting the first defence
for my son. My son never influenced
me in the slightest as to what course
l should pursue. When l returned from
England l made it point to observe
everything pertaining to the case. and.
after making some mistakes, finally
found that my son was in the right,
and consequently have accepted his
idea as the correct one. l will accept.
it hereafter and intend to pay no at
tention whatever to any other defence.
/ am perfectly satisfied"
This statement of Mrs. Thaw, the
first she has made since she returned
from England about three weeks ago,
is considered important as showing
that it was not the influence brought
to bear by her son that caused her to
act so unexpectedly in dismissing Mr..
Olcott and retaining Mr.. Hartridge.
Mrs. Thaw, it is understood, is in per-
feet accord with all the members of
her family, including Mrs. Evelyn Mes
bit Thaw. The two women are said to
be close friends at present, more
friendly, If anything, than they have
ever been.
The two women visited the Tombs
together yesterday morning. They re-
NAMED with the prisoner for about
an hour. They were chatting and APP
parently perfectly happy and content
ed when they left, and went, still to-
gether, to Mr.. Hartridge's Office, where
they remained for nearly two hours.
going over the essential points in the
defence
Defence Expects Quick Acquittal.
1t cannot be denied that the defence
has SsllS cSlU0uCS Vi extreme import.
ance on which.it relies to acquit Thaw.
What this evidence is Mr.. Hartridge
will not disclose. 1t is understood,
however, that counsel believe that
when the evidence is offered and SUBJ
mitted to the jury it will take only a
brief time before Thaw leaves the
courtroom free man. This evidence
is in line with the justifiable homicide
idea of the defence, on which emotional
insanity is based. The plea OF insanity
has been dropped once for all, aud will
not be brought up again. But, despite
this elimination of the insanity plea,
the defence is preparing to Offset any
evidence which the prosecution may
bring to show that Thaw is insane. The
alienists who were retained by Mr..
Olcott are still retained. Mr. Hart
ridge has not yet talked with them,
but still keeps them. He also intends
to retain two or three more expert
alienists, who will prepare reports for
the defence in case they may be need
ed. DR.. Charles L. Dana, one of the
alienists retained by the defence, has
never made any report, as he has not
examined Thaw. DR.. Allan McLane
Hamilton, however, has made a cur
sorry preliminary report, but no final
or formal report
Thaw. in his cell in the Tombs, yes
terday took occasion to deny emphati-