The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1907-04-02

animation Al Hdnus OF TIosSSN'N''
Was On the Stand Nearly Four
Hours.
New York. April 1.-The plans o!
the Thaw lunacy commission to com
plete its work and to submit report
TO Justice Fitzgerald today (Monday)
as to the present mental condition ci
the SLAYER of Stanford White, were
upset by an appeal from District Al
torney Jerome to be allowed to pro
duce more witnesses before the com
mission reaches decision. The
commission will hear experts oferei
by the district attorney. Chairman Nc
Clure served notice. however. that the
witnesses will be compelled to cOnfino
themselves to facts and opinions which
deal with the present condition OF
Thaw and will not be allowed to sc
into details of the past or future.
Harry Thaw was under direct ex'
animation by the commissioners Tor
more than three hours, and then toI
IS minutes he was under the fire OF
District Attorney Jerome on cross.
examination. This cross-examination
was allowed by the commission only
after a vehement protest from the
prosecuting officer that he had not
been allowed sufficient latitude in the
inquiry. Enjoying his first opportunity
Of questioning the defendant. Mr.. Je
rome attempted TO go into Thaw's past
life, but objections to this line OF eX'
animation by Thaw's counsel were sus
tanned by the commission. which held
the district attorney TO the direct issue
before the lunacy board-whetheI
Thaw is capable today of understand
ing the character of the proceeding
against him and of nationally advisine|
his counsel.
Thaw's direct and cross-examina
tions were held behind closed doors
and the commission took eXtraordinar!
precautions to have the hearing ker;
secret The attorneys connected with
the proceedings were cautioned not tc
discuss the case in any way. When
rhaw's ordeal was ended the doors
we're thrown open and 1t was an
nounced that the executive sessions
we're at an end. AS soon as the session
became public. District Attorney Je
rome called DR.. Allan McLane Ham!l
ton to the stand. The commission had
summoned Dr. Hamilton at the request
of the district attorney. AS the alien
list took the stand, however. Thaw
counsel pleaded the professional priv
iege in bar of any testimony 10 be OF
fered by him Dr. Hamilton himself
asked TO be instructed on this point
Mr.. Jerome claimed that the defensf
by introducing Dr. Hamilton as a wit
ness in the Thaw trial had waived the
right of privilege. The commission
held that as the privilege had not been
waived before 1t. DR.. Hamilton could
not testify as TO his personal examina
tons Of Thaw
During the district attorneys cross
examination it was said Ihaw com
ported himself most creditably and an
swered Mr.. Jerome's sharp pointed
questions with calmness and delibera
ton. Thaw appeared in jubilant spir
its when the public was allowed tc
enter the court room where the com
mission was sitting. To a reporter who
leaned over and congratulated him or
the showing he had made. Thaw re
piled:
Thank you very much, but
thought that was to be kept a Sc
cret."
During the public session the com
mission examined four prison guards
one of them Thaw's personal warde
in the court roOm-and a visiting ply
stefan to the Tombs. All declared thai
Thaw had acted nationally ever since
his incarceration. One OF the guards
said Thaw had a haunted look In hli
ewes when he first came to the Tombs
but it began to disappear last Septem
Der. Attorneys Delmas and Hartridgt |
also took the stand They declared
Thaw had fully comprehended every |
phase of his trial and had made help |
full suggestions from time to time