Evening journal., 1907-04-03
LUNACY BOARD
EXAMINES THAW
Commissioners Halt the Ex-
perts, Declaring They Had
Heard Sufficient
DOCTORS SAY He IS
VICTIM OF DELUSIONS
By our own wire. publishers Press.

BY Our Own Wire. Publishers Press.
NEW YORK, April S.-The Thaw |
lunacy commission this afternoon went
into executive session for the purpose
of examining Thaw privately. The
commissioners declared that they had
had sufficient expert testimony with
out listening to the testimony OF DR..
Chales A. White, of Washington
Thaw came into the trial room early
and took his usual seat. He was look
ing well, and did not appear worried at
the prospect of facing the lunacy board
alone later in the day.
Dr. Diefendorf was the first witness
called He said in his opinion Thaw is
not capable of understanding the pro-
ceedings against him or to advise his
counsel His impression of Thaw's
suggestion to Delnlas was that they in
dicated a mind which was not sound.
Thinks Thaw Still insane
u believe this defendant" he said,
"at the time of the killing Of White,
was. suffering from delusions which
gave motive for the crime. As Long
as these delusions are maintained he
cannot advise with his counsel ration
ally. / base my opinion on the fact
that he had deIusions and that they arH
still maintained
DR.. Diefendorf was asked to point out
what he considered the evidences Of in
sanity in Thaw's memoranda He
mentioned one Thaw's notes which
has appeared in the newspapers.
The witness then declared that an
other Of Thaw's notes given to the
papers in which he declared the prose
f.tr showed
evidences of insanity
AT this point Evelyn, who had not
been present when the hearing began,
came into the court soom.
DIR. Diefendorf was ON the stand at
some length. the gift Of his testimony
being that Thaw was medically insane,
although legally responsible. He stood
bv his eclarationh thai Thaw was the
victim Of delusions when he killed
stanford White. He declared Thaw
was a paranoiac.
Based Opinion on Letters
Hartridge on cross examination,
brought out that DR.. Diefendorf, in an
swerng Jerome's hypothetical question
at the trial had based his opinion that
Thaw knew the nature Of his act in
killing White largely on the letters Of
fered in evidence in the trial. and that
he based an opinion that Thaw is in
sane now on the memoranda, which he
said showed delusions similar to those
indicated in the letters.
He contrasted Dr. Diefendorfs evil
dence at the trial, holding Thaw was
sane at the time Of the killing with his
afidavit made in support Of the appli-
cation for a lunacy commission swear
ing he is insane now.
This called forth protest from Je-
rome.
oricina alienists for the defencee, took
the and when Dr. Diefendorf had been
released.
In your opinion, doctor, based OF
conversations and your observation Of
him. IS he able to advise his counsel?'
asked Hartridge.
IN all my conversations with MIN NJ
has acted and conversed in a perfectly
rataional manner
..Do you think he is able to under
stand the proceedings AGAINST himT
VERY clearly
Chairman McClude asked:
"you think. then, this defendant Il
capable Of understanding. his position
the nature Of the proceedings agains
him and of advising l-ss counsel?'
Il haven't the slightest doubt in M
mind that he is"
Dr. Wagner testified;
.I am able to say that from my examr
alton of him this morning that have bee
unable TO discover anything to warrar
the belief that Thaw is not sane. don
consider a half hours examination SUR
ciept to decide such a question as that
DR.. Wagner offered a strong bit OF tesu
monv in Thaws favor, in answer to que'
tions by Chairman Mcclure when he sal
he had talked with Thaw to-day ana toun
him apparently rational on the subject
Stanford White
IL asked him." explained the DOCTOR
he stil considered himself an agent
Providence in killing White. and the pri
bner answered 'po'-that he had com
TO see that that was not so.
Il asked him If he understood what
position was and Thought it serious. +
answered he thought his position Is Sc
tous but that he believed his attorney
had put up a good case.
II asked him whether he had made al
hrs,ngements for a financial settlemer
with his attorneys and he said he ce
tainlv had made such arrangements wit
kome Of the attorneys. Others who wei
his personal friends he had not thougl
It necessary to come to terms with the
before the trial.