Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-03-07
TRIES TO SHOW THAT
PRISONER WAS DRUNK
Jerome in Quizzing Alienist
Attemptedto Bring Out
That Thaw Was Intoxi.
Gated, Not Insane

cleared this morning for the taking OF
the testimony Of Mrs. William Thaw
at the trial of her son, Harry Thaw,
for the murder of Stanford White.
District Attorney Jerome concluded
his long cross examination Of DR.. Chas.
G. Wagner of Binghampton, N. Y,
one Of the alienists for the defense,
and after few questions on redirect
and recross examination, the expert
was finally excused.
just before luncheon recess was or
dered, Thaw's counsel then stated that
the defendants mother would be call
ed at the afternoon session.
Jerome today took new tack IN
the cross examination OF DR.. Wagner.
He asked If in the acts surrounding
the killing OF Stanford White there
was anything TO, enable the witness to
differentiate between Insanity and In
Wagner Wagner decisfsa iasss ~ ssss Is there was
nothing whatever to indicate intoxi-
cation, but much to indicate insanity.
Wagner further testified today that
Thaw was of unsound mind when he
married. but had sufficient intelligence
to know what he was doing.
Few In Courtroom.
In anticipation Of the continuance
of expert testimony there were many
vacant seats In the courtroom when
the Thaw trial convened today. DR..
Wagner took the yitness stand and Je-
rome resumed his cross examination.
Wagner said he believed Thaw's
mind was clouded when he signed his
will. also when he married. Thaw
might have understood what he was
doing, but he did not appreciate the
acts as a sane man would. The wit
ness said it was possible Thaw's mind
was clear at certain periods between
1903 and 1905.
Thaw Not Intoxicated.
Wagner was asked by Jerome IL he
could say from description Of the k,.
ing Of White If .Thaw was insane or
simply intoxicated. The alienist re.
piled that there was nothing to indi-
cate intoxication but much to indicate
insanity.
Concludes Cross Examination.
Jerome finally concluded his cross
examination Of Wagner at 12:43.
Mrs. ThaW on Stand.
Mrs. William Tnaw was the first
witness called after the recess. She
said she noticed change in her son
when he came to Pittsburg in 1904
He was absent minded and apparently
has lost all interest in life. Mrs. Thaw
broke down and cried while narrating
the change in her son following his
trip to Europe with Evelyn in 1903.
In explaining his changed condition
to her Mrs. Thaw said Harry told her
the wickedest man in New York had
ruined his life
Mother Breaks Down.
Mrs. Thaw after recovering from
her first breakdown seemed about to
cry again and could not proceed.
Justice Fitzgerald relieved the situa-
tion by ordering all of her testimony
up to that time read to the jury. it
had been given in voice too low for
tne jury to hear.
ADD THAW
Trial Should End, Says jerome.
In arguing on an objection by Jer-
,me, Delmas said he would invoke the
ule of law that Thaw being insane ir
1908, continued insane in 1904.
If that presumption is sound" said
Jerome, there's no reason to believe
he defendant is not insane today and
It becomes the duty of the court to
suspend trial.
jerome Loses Point.
Jerome saia he was not suggesting
he appointment of commission IN
unancy at this time but was adyanc.
ing the point as an argument on the
question as to whether Mrs. Thaw
.hould be allowed to repeat all the
onversations with her son.
Justice Fitzgerald overruled Jer.
mes objection to Mrs. Thaw's telling
# the conversations with her son.
lie said the question of the appoint
lent OF lunacy commission was not
5efore the court.
drs. Thaw told Of Harry breaking
own in church with her in Pittsburg