Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-02-05
WILEY SAYS THAW
WAS INSANE WHEN
He KILLED WHITE
Expert for the Defense Tries to
Prove Crime Was Act of
lunatic.
INSANITY AS A DEFENSE
District Attorney Jerome Puts the
Witness Through a Terrific
Cross-Examination.
DEFENDANT DEPENDS ON WIFE
Mrs. William Thaw Will Also Lay
Aside Her Pride and Testify to
Hereditary Blood Taints
in Her Son.
DEFENDANT DEPENDS ON WIFE

The first testimony in behalf of
Harry K. Thaw, who is on trial in
the criminal branch of the New York
supreme court for the killing of
Stanford White, was heard today,
the initial witness being an insanity
expert who was called to show that
Thaw was insane at the time that he
killed the architect. The witness was
Charles ]. Wylie, superintendent OF
the Hospital for the Insane at Pitts
burg, Pa. Mr.. Jerome had an inter
esting session with the alienist. DR..
Wylie was unwilling at first to admit
that he was an expert, said that he
laid no claims to extraordinary
knowledge, bowed in assent when
asked if the members of his profess
sion in Pittsburg considered him an
expert in insanity, and finally said
that he probably was an expert. Be-
fore he got through with his exami-
nation Mr.. Jerome had asked him
many things about his qualifca
tons.
When Mr.. Jerome took the wit
ness in hand he went into the indi-
vidual acts of Thaw Immediately sur-
rounding the shooting. DR.. Wylie
declared to the district attorney that
he based his conclusions as to
Thaw's mental condition that night
at the place where the killing was
done on Thaw's manner before the
shooting, on the way he acted after
he shot Stanford White, and on
Thaw's declaration: He ruined my
wife" made to Brudi, the fireman,
and Il saved your life" made to his
wife.
NEW YORK, February 5.-The de-
Tense of Harry X. Thaw, charged with
the murder of Stanford White, was be-
gun today when DR.. C. C. Wiley, an
alientist from Pittsburg. took the stand
and testified that in his opinion Thaw
was insane the night of the Madison
Square Roof Garden tragedy He based
this opinion the mans actions on
the roof garden and the fact that he had
witnessed an act by Thaw in Pittsburg
street car which impressed him with the
belief that the young man was not of
sound mentality.
District Attorney Jerome put the wit
ness through the most severe cross-ex-
animation eySf heard in a New York
court room. The prosecuting officer
seemed to have every medical authority
at his finger tips. The care with which
he had prepared to meet Thaw's plea of
insanity was evident in his every ques-
ton. and at times the witness hesitated
in his answers as if completely baffied
DIR. Wiley was still under fire when the
luncheon recess was ordered.
Are you nearly through" inquired
Justice Fitzgerald of the district attor-
ney.
No indeed your honor" replied Mr.
Jerome II am just getting interested in
the subject"
Forging the Links.
The defense began today to forge the
links in the chain of circumstances which
il is alleged Giscrdered his brain and led to
the mental explosion which claimed Stan
ford White as its victim The evidence
promised to be introduced to bear out the
claims set forth In the opening address OF
Mr. Gleason, Thaws attorney, to the jury
yesterday afternoon has added interest 10
the trial. and there is an impression that
Evelyn Thaw will tell story the half OF
which has not heretofore been publicly
known.
1t Is apparent that the defendant depends
upon his wife to turn the tide for him. II
will be her wrongs. II there We're any which
will impress the jury. Thaw believes she
will show that any man placed in the cir.
cumStances where he found himself might
have lost his mental balance, and acted as
he did. Upon the effect of her story, barring
the whole of her past life, the prisoner.
fate In large measure rests, though the pic
ture OF his white-hslred elderly mother
taking the witness stand to save her sor
from "a felon's death Is expected to have q
weight with the jury which only a mar
with venerable mother can appreciate.
Crazy Years Ago.
1t was alleged by Mr.. Gleason yesterday