The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-08-03
PINS HIM DOWN.
Justice Mills Becomes Examiner
at Thaw Hearing.
Asks Jerome's Alienist Some
Pointed Questions.
THAW Is RECALLED.
Resumes Reading of Letters
Written by the Defendant.
An Examination by States Ex-
perts Is Again Declined.

West Plains. n. Y. Aug. 3.-Justice
Isaac n. Mills again stepped in as
examiner at today's session of the
Thaw sanity hearing and from DR.
Amos t. Baker. acting superintendent
of the Matteawan asylum, obtained
the Clearest statement vet expressed
regarding Thaw's mental condition
The result of his questioning might be
claimed as an advantage by either
side. The witness said he did not
consider the opportunities he had to
examine the prisoner, sufficient to
permit him to form satisfactory
opinion. Nevertheless he declared his
belief that the prisoner was now in
sane and his release would be
menace to public safety. Justice
Mills began with the observation that
he considered DR.. Baker an extremely
important witness. free from bias.
What is your 0osition?'' he asked.
''Is it that you have reached from
your study of this case and Observa-
ton of the man a full and firm con-
viction that he is insane. or is it that
tunities to study that problem and
reach such a conclusion. one way or
the other?"
1--WE have a limited examination
from which we consider the man IN
sane" replied DR.. Baker.
DO you consider that limited
examination sufficient to reach a full,
firm conclusion as to his condition.
mo sir
why that was not sufficient
He has not answered our ques-
tons"
three months cover this subject?"
"They covered it in way but he
would speak in metaphors and when
pressed would fall back upon advice
of Counsel
The Jennie Burch Case.
Justice Mills recalled the Jennie
rected the defendants acQuittal on
the ground of insanity. After two
months in the asylum she was dis
charged cured and free.
do you notice any change in Mr..
Thaw either way?" he inquired.
suppose you had this man Thaw
with no previous history of the case,
what would have been your posi-
ton ?"
''This man showed certain evidences
of mental feebleness. I should have
had strong suspicion of him confined to
the data at hand. Ny position is that
the man is insane. e--..---
And when you say he is insane you
mean his being at large would be
menace
Yes. sir"
This closed DR.. Bakers examination.
Thaw Is Recalled.
Mr.. Jerome recalled ThaW. jerome
nut in evidence two letters written by
Thaw one concerning Evelyn Nesblt
and couched in such romantic la1-
guaee that the writer himself con-
Guided Il did not start to write
poetry
Jerome questioned the witness again
regarding his famous green pencil.
letter in which he compared himself to
a white pencil that wrote green when
a green light fell on it, Whites III
f1uence being the green light. ThGW
said he thought the figure such one
as a sane man would use. The district
attorney asked the witness if he had
s1Ich faith in his mental sOundness that
he would be willing to submit to an
examination by the states expert MI
Moraschauser objected and Justice
Mills interrupted again to say JEROME
exnerts had had plenty of opportunity
to study during his long examination
on +he stand. Thaw's manner on tine
stand was extremely nervous, i'll TACT
he seemed nearer losing control OF NM
self than at any previous time during
the hearing.
Before court opened Thaw shook
hands with Henry c. Harvey OF New
York city, when Mr.. Harvey stepped UP
TO tell him that he was one OF the
Jurors at the first trial which voted Tor
acquittal. r,-- ia MI,
and Thaw smiled and looked PLEASED.