New-York tribune., 1907-01-23
THAW In COURT TO-DAY
TO BEGIN FIGHT FOR LIFE.
Examination of I'alesmer Wiu Open
Battle.

Thaw were made yesterday by the prosecution
as well as by the defence. and this morning
Thaw will begin his fight for life before Justice
James Fitzgerald In the Criminal Branch Of the
Supreme Court. answering for the killing Of STAN
ford White June 20 last.
AS far as hearing testimony is concerned, that
probably will not be begun for week. The
first work for the lawyers is the selection OF a
jury. The special panel Of two hundred tales
men will report this morning at 10 o'clock.
Thaw will be in court from now on every time
there is session. and he will have a large part
of the mapping out of his defence. 1t Is under
stood that his counsel have agreed TO let him
select the jury himself. at least to the extent or
expressing his like dislike Of man. and
he will also suggest questions to be asked the
talesmen.
The interest which has been steadily msin-
tanned in this case. unparalleled. perhaps, In the
history of the courts is expected to bring out
crowds as large as or even larger than any that
ever fought with police and attendants TO listen
at other trials of recent years. In this expecta-
ton. for the first time. police inspector mas
been assigned to command the reserves who VIII
maintain order. Inspector MoClusky and the re-
serves of the Oak. Leonard and Elizabeth street
stations, TO the number OF one hundred or more
have been detailed for the work They nave
mapped out a plan whereby the Criminal Court
those with credentials can enter. In this way "
ia hoped morbid curiosity seekers Will be driven
away.
Newspaper correspondents from half hun
dred cities have arrived specially to report tho
trial some coming even thousands OF niles
The Western Union Telegraph Company expect
ing a prodigious amount of telegraph matter.
secured permission TO put in large cable OK
telegraph wires in the Criminal Courts Building,
and telegraphers will send the news direct from
the building. The seating capacity OF the court
is about two hundred. with crowding OF chairs'
and It is believed there will be witnesses and
reporters equal TO twice this number. to say
nothing of the two hundred talesmen. What
will be done TO accommodate them Is a problem
but It is said all will be cared for.
Thaw was apparently happier and more hoyish
yesterday than he has been in nearly seven
months. His one wish since his arrest was for
his trial. and the various delays have annoyed
him exceedingly Now that the trial Is at hand
he has regained his spirits and is enxiously
awaiting his call 70 appear In court. He IL ap-
parently sincere in his belief that he viii be 40
quilted His counsel, also. express strong hopes
that Thaw win be free man before long.
Thaw had his usual visit from his young wife
yesterday. Mrs. Thaw calling IN the morning
and remaining as long as the rules allowed. In
He said that the prisoner was IN good spirits.
An interview. purporting to be with the
Countess OF Yarmouth. which was published
yesterday, was denied last night. The Countess
has refused TO be interviewed since her arrival.
She was quoted as saying that Thaw ala not
fear the result. did his family. This. IL can
DO safely said. is true. all of them believe
he will not be convicted.
The District Attorneys ONCE made its nnsl
preparations yesterday In examining anew a
number of witnesses. particularly the police
connected with the Captain Hodgins. who
was IN command at tho West 3oth street sta
ton on the night OF the shooting. was In con-
ference with Assistant District Attorney Gar
van as was Policeman Debes. who made the
arrest. Captain Hodgins refused TO discuss the
case when asked 70 do so. saying he talked too
much last summer. and had thereby destroyed
his chances of obtaining an inspectorship.
Every move IN the case has shown that the
defence will be one OF emotional insanity Each
point that seemed In the slightest degree IN
Thaw's favor has been followed by detectives.
advisory counsel. The law has been studied
thoroughly IN an effort 20 find ways In which
this evidence can be introduced. The same con-
ditions exist in tho District Attorneys ONCE.
Mr. Garvan for over six months has devoted
almost all OF his time In preparing the prose-
cutions case. and county detectives and police
men detailed 20 the District Attorneys ofics
have worked all summer on the Thaw case
alone, and expense has been spared to get
every bit or evidence possible 70 convict the
young Pittshurser.
II is believed that the securing OF Jury will
be long and hard task. The panel Is an un-
usually Intelligent one, and Il IS thought a great
majority OF them will have formed opinions
which will bar them. IL is considered possible
that II may be necessary TO draw a second spe-
cial panel before the twelve men who will hear
and decide the case are secured. This will take
at least week. IL is thought. The length OF the
trial itself will depend entirely on whether the
defence succeeds In introducing evidence which
the prosecution will have TO contradict In re-
buttal Should such be the case. II Is safe to
predict that the trial will last until the bolster
Gus winds Of March are ushered In.