The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-03-24
Strong Evidence VIII
Offset JerOme'S
Witnesses.
Attorney Makes Seri-
Gus Charge Against
Hamilton.

NEW YORK, March 22-At no time
since his trial for the killing Of Stan
ford White began, nine weeks ago have
the prospects OF Harry x. Thaw for u
innate acquittaI been so bright as TO-
night.
On the basis Of the affidavits submitted
TO contradict those Of District Attorney
Jerome on the question Of Thaws san
ity today in the minds of all Thaw has
the best Of IL. In their opinion Jerome
is beaten miles in his effort TO have a
lunacy commission appointed.
Even If a commission is named. IN
view Of the points scored by the de-
Tense today, 1t is felt it must find Thaw
sane If the case goes back to the
jury, with DelHas able to take advant-
age OF Jerome's admission that he con-
siders Thaw insane at the time he shot
| White. it is argued the jurors cannot do
Otherwise than acquit the prisoner. For
| this reason il is believed Thaw stands
nearer TO the point Of going free than at
any time since Jerome began his case.
Laid Stress on Family Insanity.
/ In his impassioned statement 10 Jus
| tice Fitzgerald on Wednesday, which
I interrupted the trial, 10 have ThaV's
! present sanity determined. Jerome laid
/ great stress on collateral insanity IN
| ThRW's family. Mrs William Thaw. the
| prisoners mother. in her anidavit today
| explains away all these charges OF the
/ district attorney.
! The affidavit shows for itself what
| Mrs. Thaw meant when she stated On
/ the witness stand that she would Ike
| 10 make some remarks about "heredi-
| tary insanity" in Thaw's family which
| she was prevented from making.
! Mrs. Thaw swears directly that the
| instances Of mental weakness among
/ Thaws relatives were not of such q
| nature as TO influence her SON
Reply to HamiltOn's Statement.
/ Lawyers Gleason and Hartridge also
| dispose Of the statement Of DR.. Hamil-
! ton, whose testimony precipiJated the
| insanity hearing by Justice Fitzgerald.
| Gleason swears he was given TO under
| stand by DIT Hamilton that in case the
question Of Thaw's ability TO advise his
| attorneys should be raised, it could be
explained away
Hartridge goes further. and charges
that DR.. Hamilton was a party to
plan to railroad" Thaw 10 an asylum
and prevent 4 trial Of his case.
HarJridge deposes that he is in
formed, and believes, that said HamiI-
ton had in mind rather the finding OF
ThaW insane and getting an agreement
to send him to Matteawan rather than
10 have a trial for his life. DepOnenJs
information on this subject is derived
from conversation with the family and
Dr. Hamilton and Mr.. Thaw; that for a
long period after Dr. HamiItOn's eX-
animation, which said examinations
have not occurred for over six months,
deponent did not see or speak TO DR..
Hamilton"
Twelve Afidavits Filed.
In all twelve affidavits asserting
ThaW's mental competency were fled
But most conclusive Of all the evidence
| OF his sanity were the letters and
notes Of Thaw. sent to Lawyer Delmas
! since the trial began. showing his ability
to understand the nature Of the pro-
| ceedings against him and his ability 10
! direct his counsel as TO how certain
points in his favor could be brought
out, or evidence adverse TO his interests
excluded.
There are eighteen formal letters
written to Delmas outside Of court and
eight notes which were scrawIed by
Thaw in court and dispatched to Delmas
while re occupied his position inside
the railing. separating him from Thaw's
table, where he was conducting the e1-
animation Of witnesses.
In these letters and notes Thaw wrote
coherently and intelligently. They show
an abundant grasp of the situation and
full realization Of the proceedings.
Mothers Affidavit Convincing.
IN the hereditary insanity charge of
Jerome Mrs. William ThaW's affidavit is
abundant proof Of the sophistry OF
Jerome's claims.
After expressing her pleasure at the
SI.75 to Baltimore and Return
Via Pennsylvania railroad. every Satyr-
daN and Sunday. All REGULAR trains ex-