Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1907-02-12
EXAGGERATED EGO
THAN 5 AFF[|CnON
Insanity Expert Gives a Learned
Dissertation on Mental Dis.
eases Before Jury
EVANS MAKES GOOD WITNESS
Lawyers WraneIe Over Form of Some
Of the Questions and Answers -
Evans Says That Thaw is Afflicted
With Several Forms Of Mental Trou-
bIe-The Days Testimony.

New York. Feb 12.-The defense in
the Thaw case continued today, with
the introduction of expert testimony
as to the condition of the defendants
mind, during the several months fol-
lowing the tragedy on Madison Square
Roof Garden. This explained Delmas
Thaw's leading counsel, lis in order
that the jury, by means of the wreck
age on the beach, may infer that there
has been a storm upon the waters
The witness who occupied the entire
morning session, and whose testimony
had not been concluded when recess
was ordered. was Dr. Britton d. Ev-
ans, superintendent of the state hospi-
tai for the insane at Morris Plains. n
]. Evans declared that when he first
visited Thaw in the Tombs, on August
4, there were many indications OF
brain storm or explosive or fulminat.
ing condition Of mental unsoundness
lIlEu WHICH llc Alcu 1CSChlAS p0oSSS1s
It now became evident for the first
time in court, that the defense is en-
deavoring to show to the jury that
while Thaw was insane prior to killing
Stanford White, at the time immediate
ly subsequent to the homicide. the
alienists who visited him in the Tombs
found that as their visits progressed
his manner changed from storm and
stress to "calm and quiet" Evans
testimony today bore out this conten-
ton The expert, at great length. de-
scrihed the various forms OF insaritsy,
whose symptoms he discovered at the
time Of his first visit to Thaw, but Jer-
ONE could not induce Delmas to put a
direct question to Evans as to his opin-
ion as to the sanity or insanity of the
defendant. or witness later visits and
examinations" Evans described Thaw's
manner in the Tombs in August last,
as one of exaltation, Of exaggerated
ego and self Importance He declared
that the defendant at no time betrayed
the slightest apprehension Of any great
personal danger. The alienist said he
had formed an opinion as the result of
eight visits to Thaw, but had not been
asked to state 1t up to the time recess
was taken, when Delmas indicated that
his direct examination was not nearly
concluded.
New York, Feb. 12.-The fact thai
toesy was Lincoln's birthday and con-
sequently legal holiday in this state,
had no effect on the Thaw trial, which
went ahead at the usual hour this
When Thaw was walking
to his place at the counsel table and
for some moments after taking his seat
he kept his eyes on District Attorney
Jerome and ignored his own counsel
for the time being. Jerome was busy
with his papers and did not notice
Thaws somewhat unusual action.
The first witness called by Delmas
was DR.. Britton d. Evans, superin-
tendent of the insane hospital at Nor
ris Plains, N. j. Evans said he had
written and spoken a great deal on the
subject of insanity and had appeared in
a majority of the important cases in
New Jersey where mental arrangement
or incapacity had to do with the matter
under investigation. The witness knew
Thaw and had visited him eight times
visits of August and October 1. At
other times he was accompanied by
DR.. Wagner, who testified yesterday.
Evans declared he noticed OH his
visits that Thaw suffered from forms
of insanity characterized by "exag-
gerated ego," including adolescent in
sanity, the latter due to heredity He
said Thaw also exhibited symptoms
Of having recently undergone an ex-
plosive or Illuminating condition of
mental unsoundness.
Afflicted With Exaggerated Ego"
ION my first visit to Thaw, on Au-
gust A." said Evans, she exhibited a
peculiar facial expression, glaring of
the eye, restlessness of the eye, sus-
picion of his surroundings and of me,
nervous agitati ton, and restlessness
such as comes from a severe brain
storm common in those who have re-
Gently gone thru an explosive or full
minating condition Of mental unsound-
ness. He exhibited delusions of a
personal character, exaggerated ego,
and along with them, delusions Of a
persecutory character. He thought
himself of exaggerated importance,
and believed himself to be prosecuted
by a number of persons"
BY exaggerated ego" Evans said
that he meant "a disproportionate idea
of the Importance of self. the belief
that one is clothed with powers, ca
pacity and ability far above normal,
oe above these actually possessed"