The Mena weekly star., 1908-02-06

HARRY IHAN ACQUHTH||
Jury Decides that Stanford White's Slayer Was Insane at Time
 Act Was Committed.
COMMITTED TO THE MATTEWAN ASYLUM

Verdict Was Returned After 25 Hour.
 of beration--Everybody Seemed
 Satisfied With Result of the Trial
 Efforts to Be Made to Get Thaw
 Out of Asylum.
 New York, Feb. 2-Acquitted Sat urday of the murder of Stanford White on the ground that he was in. sane from the commission of homi eide, Harry K. Thaw was ordered by Justice Bowling to be committed to the Mattewan asylum for the crim. inal insane until such time as he can convince the state lunacy commission that his being at large will not endan. ger the public safety. Thaw was led back to the Tombs across the Bridge oi Signs and will remain there until the sheriff can plan for his transfer to the upstate institution.
 Both Thaw and his wife, the latter being the only member of his family in court when the jury unexpectedly returned Its verdict after a delibera- tion of 25 hours, seemed pleased and satisfied with the outcome of the case. Thaw stood and smilingly bowed his acknowledgements to the jurors as they filed one by one out of the box District Attorney Jerome also seemed satisfied. as he has contended ever since the crime was committed that Thaw was medically, if not legally, insane. Thaw's counsel thanked the jurors with hearty handshake for each one of the twelve. Attorney Lit tleton also filed an exception to Jus tice Dowling's decision in retaining Thaw in custody and committing him te the asylum.
 Turning to the defendant and his counsel, Justice Bowling said:
 The only testimony in this case upon which verdict of insanity could be based was to the effect that the de- fendant is suffering from maniac de- pressive form of mental Arrangement. This testimony and the diagnosis of the form of insanity was based upon prior outbreaks of the defendant as testified to by witnesses from London, Monte Carlo, Paris and Albany. It also appears from the testimony, and the court was careful to inquire as to this, that reoccurrences of these at- tacks are reasonably certain. There has been no testimony adduced here to show that a person suffering from this form of insanity ever can be per manently cured. It appears, however, that during the maniacal form of the disease the person suffering therefrom is likely to commit dangerous assaults or murder. There is danger also of suicide.
 Therefore, upon all testimony in this case, the court deems that to al low the defendant to go at large would be dangerous to the public safety. The decision of the court is that the de fendant shall not be discharged, but being in custody shall be so held and committed with all dispatch to the state hospital for the criminal insane at Mattewan. The sheriff of the coun. ty is directed to take custody of the defendant and deliver him to the state authorities at Mattewan."
 
 fendant Is found guilty, even with the insanity clause attached, he may not again have his life placed in jeop ardy. So soon as Thaw can convince a commission, especially appointed for his examination, or the state board oi lunacy, as may be the case, that he is sane and no longer to be regarded as menace to the public safety, he will be given his liberty.
 It is said District Attorney Jerome would personally oppose any move for the liberation of Thaw. either at the present time or at any time in the flu ture.
 Thaw's family were pleased with the verdict and declared it was the best they had hoped for. They are particularly anxious, however, that Thaw shall be taken to a private asy lum or some other hospital under state direction than the one for crim inal insane.
 Besides saying informally that she was pleased with the verdict, Mrs Thaw made no statement at the court house. Thaw sent word he had noth ing to say at this time.
 The jurors interviewed at the court house would not divulge the secrets of their proceedings other than to say that IA ballots were required before the unanimous verdict of not guilty on the ground of insanity was reached.
 Mrs. William Thaw received at the uptown hotel, where she has been stopping, the news of her sons ac quittal. She was called to the tele phone as the jury filed into court and held there until William Moore, of Mir. Peabody's office. could tell the tidings to her over the wire.
 Thaw slowed no other emotion than the characteristic smile which he has so often played about his lips. His wife flushed deep red as Foreman Gremmels stated that verdict had hean reached