Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-01-18
JEROME BARS
EVIDENCE OF
YOUNG WIFE
PRISONERS MOTHER HEARD
WITH DIFFERENCE
PUBLIC MAY BE EXCLUDED ON
"MoRAL" GROUNDS
Story That Former Chorus Girl Is
Expected to Tell Not Fit for
Repetition Is the
Opinion

/ By Associated PreSss
NEW YORK, Jan. ia series of sur-
prises brought the Thaw trial near a
crisis today. Both Evelyn Thaw. the wife.
and Mrs. William Thaw, the mother of
the defendant, were on the witness stand
and just as the former was about to relate
a new.story of her life as she told 1t to
Thaw in Paris in 1903, District Attorney
Jerome arose and suggested that in the
| interest of public morals all persons ex-
| cept those interested in the case should
/ be excused from the court room during
| what he claimed was the recital Of
| horrible tale"
This included representatives of news
papers as well as the public generally.
| Attorney Littleton of the defense Joined,
in to shield the young woman from hum
| dreds of curious eyes and said that 80 far
| as the right to an open hearing was con-
cerned he was ready to waive that point
In any manner the court might suggest.
Proceedings were suspended until next
| Monday morning, when Justice Dowling.
who is presiding, will announce his de-
cision.
Bowling Makes Retort
The district attorneys suggestion was
distinct surprise, and called forth the re-
mark from Justice bowling that 1t would
have come out with greater force at the
| first hearing.
When Mr.. Jerome arose it was gener-
ally believed that he was about to con-
tend against the admission of young Mrs.
Thaw's testimony on the ground that it
| could not have a very serious effect upon
| the mind of the m N who became her
husband inasmuch as the homicide did
not occur until three years after.
Mr.. Jerome had previously objected to
Mrs. Thaw detailing conversations she
| had with Thaw three years prior to the
| t4-ap p,adu hyIf Iuctfoo D0ulfuQ ruled that
| the declarations of the defendant were
admissible on general principles, and with
| out any reference to the Wood case, un-
/ der which the evidences IN dispute was
admitted last year, and upon which Mr.
Jerome had been expected to ask con-
struction this year.
81 will not except to your honor's rul-
ing" said the district attorney, as he
| took his seat after his objection "for the
state has no power of appeal.
| Then Mr.. Jerome attacked the witness
in another way, and by standing immedi-
| ately in front Of her and objecting to
practically every question which Mr.. Lit
Teton asked In his preliminary examina-
| ton as to her early history, cut the young
woman's recital from the effective narra-
| tive form it assumed last year into hum
dreds of fragments.
Many of the objections, baseG upon their
| irrelevancy and i.1materiality, were sus-
[ Dy Ine court. Wnen IueSe IdlleO
| the prosecution was ever ready with 9TH
ers until the testimony fairly was torn
into shreds, and had lost entirely the
many little touches of human interest
which s'ere a part of the narration last
| year, when no objections were offered.
Mr. Jerome said his objections were in
tended to cut out all stories about pet
cats, "and lot of other stuff'' which
had no place in the trial.
Mother TestIfles
The day, however, was one of good
| progress for the defense. The elder Mrs.
| Thaw pale and weak from her recent ILL
ness, was assisted to the witness chair
and repeated a large part of the testi-
mony she gave a year ago. Her appear
ance ana the sincerity of her evidence as
| she told of her sons strange conduct after
meeting Evelyn Ne-oit and hearing her
story had a marked effect upon all who
| listened
| On account of her weak condition. her
examination was interrupted by consent
to be resumed some time next week. when
she will tell of Thaw's infancy.
| District Attorney Jerome's manner
while the mother was on the stand was
all Difference, and 1t was his suggestion
which led to the respite in her ordeal
But when the young wife took The
stand the change was marked. Jerome
glared at her and his objections were
fairly shouted in her ears Well accua-
toned to court usage from her former
experience, the young woman waited pa
tiently for ruling after each objection
When they were sustained she was silent;
when overruled she was ever ready with
her response.
Says Thaw Was Irrational
Effective testimony was given at the
morning session by Miss Alice c. fletoh-
er of washington. d. c., a long time
friend of Thaws and a frequent visitor
at their home, She swore she had known
Harry Thaw for twenty-six years ana
he has always impressed her as IRA
tional.
Miss Catherine O'Neill. who nursed
Thaw as a boy from his third to his
tenth year. added her evidence to thar
already adduced as to irrational conduct
and tendencies on the part of the de-
fendant.
The door men at the police station where
Thaw was confined the night of the
tragedy repeated their story of last year
of Thaw's irrational appearance and his
complaining of noises that did not exist
The trial may be concluded in two more
weeks.