The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1908-02-07
THAW ACQUITTED;
PUT IN ASYLUM
WHITES SLAYER FOUND NOT
GUILTY ON THE GROUND OF
INSANITY.
Is Sent to Matteawan-MustN Now Con-
vince Lunacy Commission His Dis
charge Will Not Imperl the Pub
lie Safety.

charge Will Not Imperil the Pub
lie Safety.
New York, Feb. 3-"Not guilty-on
the ground that he was insane at the
time OF the commission OF the act
charged in the indictment"
This was the verdict in the Thaw
case.
1t was returned shortly before one
o'clock Saturday by the jury in whose
hands rested the destiny Of Harry K.
Thaw, on trial before Justice Bowling
for the murder of Stanford White.
Justice Bowling Immediately Or
dered the young Pittsburg millionaire
committed to the Matteawan asylum
for the criminal insane until he can
convince lunacy comm; ssion that his
discharge would not imperil the public
safety.
Following a consultation his counsel
announced that they would make no
motion for a habeas corpus writ, and
the defendant left for Matteawan on
the 4:54 p. m. train.
jury Reaches Agreement.
Events moved rapidly in the Thaw
case Saturday. Just when counsel on
both sides had virtually given up hope
of the jury's reaching verdict, word
was brought to Justice Bowling at
1885 o'clock that finding had been
reached.
Thnr yl,o 1..I
moned from his cell in the Tombs was
Dathetically unprepared for the cru
cial moment and there was an appre-
ciable pause before he could be sum-
noneI to the bar He looked pale and
shaken, but he had smile for his
wife as he made his way to his accus-
toned seat. His wife and his brother
Josiah Thaw were the only members
of his family in court when the verdict
was read.
Thaw was commanded to stand and
face the jury and they, in turn, were
directed to stand facing the defendant.
Jurors, look upon the defendant;
defendant, look upon the jurors"
called Clerk Penny Gentlemen of
the jury, have you agreed upon YER
dict?"
'We have" replied Foreman Grem-
mels.
What say you-is the defendant
guilty or not guilty."
There was moment of suspense in
the courtroom. The breathing Of
those who looked on was almost sus-
pended Thaw stood like a man
carved of stone.
"Not Guilty." Say Jurors.
mot guilty-on the ground that he
was insane at the time of the COM
mission of the act charged in the in
dictment."
Thaw, still standing, bowed and
smiled his Acknowledgements to the
men who had Just acquitted him of
criminal guilt for the murder of Stan
ford White Then he turned to his
wife, who greeted him with an encour-
aging little nod of the head and
smile.
The verdict seemed to please the
district attorneys office as well as
counsel for the defense. Mr.. Jerome
has maintained since the beginning of
the trial that Thaw is medically, if not
legally, insane. Indeed, during the
first hearing, he risked his case by
openly declaring his conviction be-
fore the jury.
AS for the crowd in the courtroom,
they took the verdict without demon
stration, as they had been specifically
warned by Justice Bowling before the
jury entered the room against any
outburst of enthusiasm.
Thinks He Will Be Free Soon.
Matteawan, N. Y, Feb. 3.-Harry K.
Thaw began Sunday the routines of
simple life which the authorities at
the State Hospital for the Criminal
Insane say will make his long stay in
the Tombs prison in New York city
seem like the height of gayety in COM
parison.
During the day Thaw declared to
one of the attendants that he probably
would not be in the hospital more
than one week. He said his lawyers
would sue out writ of habeas corpus
in his behalf and he was sure he would
be allowed his liberty as the result of
a hearing in court or an inquiry be-
fore a commission