Smyrna times., 1907-04-03
THAW ON STAND
TO PROVE SANITY
Slayer of Stanford White Appears
Before Lunacy Commission.
WAS.JUBILANT AFTER HEARING

New York, April 1.-The plans of
The Thaw lunacy commission to COM
plete it's work and to submit report
to Justice Fitzgerald today (Monday)
as to the present mental condition OF
the slayer of Stanford White, were
upset by an appeal from District At
torney Jerome to be allowed to pro-
duce more witnesses before the COM
mission reaches a decision. The
commission will hear experts offered
by the district attorney. Chairman Nc
Clure served notice. however. that the
witnesses will be compelled to cOnfine
themselves to facts and opinions which
deal with the present condition OF
Thaw and will not be allowed to go
into details of the past or future.
Harry Thaw was under direct eX-
animation by the commissioners for
more than three hours, and then for
45 minutes he was under the fire of
District Attorney Jerome on cross
examination. This cross examination
was allowed by the commission only
after a vehement protest from the
prosecuting officer that he had not
been allowed sufficient latitude in the
inquiry. Enjoying his first opportunity
of questioning the defendant, Mr.. Je
rome attempted to go into Thaw's past
life, but objections to this line of ex-
animation by Thaws counsel were sus-
tanned by the commission, which held
the district attorney to the direct issue
before the lunacy board-whether
Thaw is capable today of understand
ing the character of the proceedings
against him and of nationally advising
his counsel.
Thaw's direct and cross-examina-
tions were held behind closed doors,
and the commission took extraordinary
precautions to have the hearing kept
secret. The attorneys connected with
the proceedings were cautioned not to
discuss the case in any way. When
Thaw's ordeal was ended the doors
were thrown open and it was an
nounced that the executive sessions
were at an end. AS soon as the session
became public, District Attorney Je-
rome called DR.. Allan McLane Hamil-
ton to the stand. The commission had
summoned Dr. Hamilton at the request
of the district attorney. AS the alien
ist took the stand, however, Thaw's
counsel pleaded the professional privi-
lege in bar of any testimony to be Of
fered by him. DR.. Hamilton himself
asked to be instructed on this point
Mr.. Jerome claimed that the defense
by introducing Or. Hamilton as a wit
ness in the Thaw trial had waived the
right Of privilege. The commission
held that as the privilege had not been
waived before it, DR.. Hamilton could
not testify as to his personal examina-
tions of Thaw.
During the district attorneys cross
examination it was said Thaw COM
ported himself most creditably and an
swered Mr.. Jerome's sharp pointed
questions with calmness and delibera-
ton. Thaw appeared in jubilant spir-
its when the public was allowed to
enter the court room where the com
mission was sitting. To a reporter who
leaned over and congratulated him on
the showing he had made, Thaw re-
piled:
Thank you very much, but
thought that was to be kept a Sc
cret.''
During the public session the com
mission examined four prison guards
one of them Thaw's personal wardel
in the court roOm-and a visiting ply
sician to the Tombs. All declared thai
Thaw had acted nationally ever since
his incarceration. One of the guard.
said Thaw had haunted look in hi.
eyes when he first came to the Tombs
but it began to disappear last Septem
Der. Attorneys Delmas and Hartridgt
also took the stand They declares
Thaw had fully comprehended ever.
phase of his trial and had made help
full suggestions from time to time.