The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1907-03-07
Venerable Mother OF Harry
ThaW on Witness Stand
Four Long Hours.
REPEATS A SILENT PRAYER
PLACES IMPLICIT TRUST IN A su.
PREME BEING WHO SHE DE-
ClARES WILL PROTECT HER
UNFORTUNATE BOY.

New YORK. March 6-Heart broken,
her entire body quivering with an.
guish and sobs. the mother of Harry
Thaw demonstrated the strength OF
mothers love today, when for over
four hours she responded To questions
of District Attorney Jerome. who en-
deavored TO probe into every act OF
her son during the past three years.
The loving mother. Mrs. William
Thaw, was called to the stand shortly
before the noon recess and again re-
sumed the stand Immediately after
the commencement of the afternoon
session. She fought bravely for con-
troll and answered the interrogations
of Attorney Jerome in voice, which
although plainly demonstrating her
extreme sorrow. and at times broken
with sobs, was clear and distinct
and every word carried conviction OF
truthfullness.
The fact that the attorney for her
son. Delmas. admitted that the defense
based its grounds for an acquittal on
the fact that Harry Thaw was i'm
sane for three years previous to the
shooting, came during the examina-
tion of Mrs. Thaw and during the ar
gument on objections the mother was
compelled to sit and listen to the con-
tention of attorneys.
1t was noticeable that during tho
numerous Interruptions. that Mrs.
Thaw was repeating prayer and that
she seemed to get much strength
from her trust in the Supreme Being.
in whom she places all trust. and
continually informs her intimate
friends will protect her boy.
The fact that District Attorney Jc-
rome refused to consider proposition
looking to the appointment of lun-
acy commission has created a no
small sized sensation, as 1t was ex-
pected he would take advantage of
the first opportunity to make such a
request
The unveiling OF the defense's new
contention came during the examin-
alton of Mrs. Thaw when Delmas
said:
The testimony of experts show that
Thaw was insane at different periods
between June 1908 and August 1905
The legal presumption must carry
that he was insane at the time be-
tween these dates"
The admission and submission of
such a statement by Delmas came as
a decided surprise to Jerome. who
was quickly on his feet contending
that such could not be admitted as
none of the experts had testified as
to the present condition OF Thaw. He
stated that should IL be admitted that
Thaw was insane for three years be-
fore the killing, that the court must
go farther and settle the question Of
insanity before the trial could pro-
ceed.
At this point Justice Fitzgerald in
terrupted the district attorney and
wanted to know if he desired lun-
acy commission appointed. Jerome
lodged the issue and the court held
that evidence to the effect that Thaw
was insane between the dates men
toned and the time of the shooting
had been introduced and that IL must
be considered that the defendant was
insane during that time.
The ruling of Judge Fitzgerald has
placed an entirely new light on the
plans for the defense and il is evident
that their only desire now is to dem
onstrate that although Thaw was in
sane on the night he killed Stanford
White and not responsible for his
acts that he has in the meantime fully
from his illness. Should
the defense be unable to substantiate
T.; will t.,,f
result, Harry Thaw will be placed in
q mad house.
Mrs. William Thaw was the last
witness today, owing to the fact that
court adjourned at 4:20 until Friday
owing to the death 4
of Justics Fitzgerald.
Mrs. William Thaw was the first
called after the luncheon re-
cess. Mrs. Thaw said she noticed
change in her son when he came to
Pittsburg in 1903. He was absent
minded and apparently had lost in
terest in life. Mrs. Thaw broke down
and cried while narrating the change
IN her son following his trip to Europe
with Evelyn in 1909
In explaining his changed condition
10 her, Mrs. Thaw said Harry told
her 1.-The wickedest man in New York
had ruined his life."
Mrs. Thaw, after recovering from
her first breakdown, seemed about to
Try again, and could not proceed.
Justice Fitzgerald relieved the situa-
ion by ordering all Of her testimony
Up to that time read to the jury. 1t
had been given in voice too low for
he jury to hear.
Mrs. Thaw said that in the fall and
winter of 1903 she was living in Pitts
1urg.
Pennsylvania? ?' asked Mr.. Delmas.
1T is the only Pittsburg with a
inal H. replied Mrs. Thaw.