New-York tribune., 1906-05-26
HALT TERRAN0VA CASE.
Commission TO Determine Sanity of
Girl Slayer.

TafEfriea Attorney Jerome sprung surprise yes
tsrday az the trial Of Josephine TerranoVs- chaseO
with the murder OF her aunt and uncle when lie
moved that the trial bs suspended and that com
mission he appointed TO inquire into the defendant
sanity. Although Mr. PalTierl. counsel Ior Ge
ftyl opposed the motion, IL was granted cy Jusuoe
scott. The trial was suspended until Monday and
Or. william Mabon, d.. Louis Balch and Edward
L Parish lawyer OF No PSI Broadway. were
appointed the commission
Mr PaIinie-i strongly opposed the motion. on the
ground Iha. Ihe 5u;y could determine whether or
goa the girl wEs that the prosecutions ex-
perts had had plenty Of opportunities TO examine
the girls rlentaI condition. and if they had deter
mined that SIZE insane they should have In
formed Tie District Attorney. and. finally that in
his examination Of the talesmen he had shown that
he would put IN the defence OF insanity.
Immediately after the commission was appointed
81 vent into secret session. II was said at the
Criminal Courts Building that this was the first
t!ne - many years that such secrecy on q hear
ing OF this character maintained. Dr. Allan
AIcI.ane Hamilton. Or Carlos +. Macdonald ana
Or Fllnt. :he prosecutions experts, were present
the inquiry. were the experts for the derehce
DR.. Burton Evans and l. Pierce CLARK MI raj
rnieri was called INTO the inquiry a short time
after the commissioners convened The ccnmls-
sion finished its examination foT the DAY at :
o'clock This morning it viii examine tie aHe'ls's
for both sides and .he testimony already given IN
the case. 1t win probably have ITS report ready
for Justice Scott when the trial is resumed on
Monday morning.
II the commission reports that the girl is now
insane the Jury will be dismissed and she viii be
committed 70 an asylum. On the other hand i
she IS declared sane, the trial will probably go on
II IS possible that the commission viii not nave
completed its work by Monday IN that case JUS
tice Scott will probably adjourn the trial from
day 10 Cay until the commissioners arr prepared
TO report
In his argument on the motion Mr. Jerome citsc
4 special section of the Penal Code which pro
Tof, ed q
cline appeared TO be in such mental state es
20 Re incapable Of integentlv comforting with
his or her counsel. commission may he appointed
&c determine the defendants sanity. He referred
u :te case OF a wife murderer named Chllds, IN
Uticz - which commission 10 determine the
eefendan5s sanity appointed when the trial
was nearly completed Chds was found insane
ard Wss committed 10 asylum.
pr Burton Evans said yesterday that if DR..
Eenilton gave his opinion that Josephine was
sane he would be expressing opinion diametrt-
caly opposed 10 that which he gave in the trial OF
Richard Preusser in Albany County recently. DR..
Evans VAS an expert for the prosecution in this
case and Or. Hamilton for the defence It was
said that District Attorney Addington, Of Alhan;-.
had come to this city in the expectaton Of hearing
Dr. Hamilton reverse his opin IN
Mr. Palnlieri said yesterday afternoon:
have concluded that it is 10 the best interest Of
josephine Terranoya that the question Of her sanity
be passed upon by the jurors. who have heard the
comm sson. composed Of lawyer and two doctors.
which IS 70 hastily report 70 Justice scott on Mon
dzv morning the present mental condition OF this
gi! can any better serve the interests of justice
fhar the jurors who have been carefully selected
and have ccnscientously heard the evidence in the
telie =. on my professional honor: that I am
right in refusing permit the poor girl 10 submit
TO any examination before this commission, ana
we shall demand on Monday morning the rgnt 70
proceed with the trial 10 2 termination am
s5ee o9 fsct Who we're seiscted with great care
ana in whom ! have unquesuoned faith.