New-York tribune., 1909-07-29
THAW FACES JEROME
CONTR4DICTS WHIPPING
TESTIMONY.
Tells of Killing White, and Says
He Doesn't BeEeue in Taking.
Human Life.

Human Life.
Harry K. Thaw on the witness stand in the
courtroom at White Plains yesterday declared
his belief in his own sanity. and fatty refused
TO accept Mr.. Jerome's appeal that he submit
TO an examination by body OF trained alienists-
He contradicted the testimony given by Susan
A. Merrill Thursday that he had been ad-
dicted to whipping girls
For the first time since he killed Stanford
White he recounted his remembrance Of tine
events Of that night sa wing that he believed he
was insane at the time and that he did not be
lieve in taking human life in suboruation of
perjury TO escape the consequences of his crime.
To the defence put forward by his counsel that
he was insane at any time other than the half
minute in which he shot the architect he said he
had never given his approval
Mr Jerome raked his life history over pretty
thoroughly. but Thaw met the oIestions calmly
and AZ one time drew forth spontaneous hand
clapping from the auditors IN the crowded court
room by quick parry The oUtburst drew no
reproval from Justice Mills
Mr. Jerome had only few questions TO put 70
the first witness Or. Isham @ Harris. Of the
Hudson River State Hospital. who retired to a
seat on the Thaw side OF the inclosure. Then
Thaw himself vas called He arose with a
smile for his family and strode calmly to the
inquistion 70 prove. If possible. that he was At
subject 70 be a. large His only respite. outside
of the recess hour at noon. came when Peter B.
Olney. ore Of the members Of the lunacy COM
mission appointed by Justice Fitzgerald TO pass
on Thaw's sanity. vas called TO Identify the re-
port Of that body.
NOT NERVOUS on STAND.
In Thav's hand was palm leaf far, which he
unusual agitation. He looked erpectant rather
than nervous. and set himself squarely TO hear
Nj Jero7ne's first question with a watchfulness
that showed plainly he was keenly alert 70 the
Importance his examination might have IN de-
terrnining whether he was 70 remain inmate
of Matteawan.
That question was straizht-sy forthcoming
Il was the same one that rad done 50 much
harm - Thavs hopes Of liberty al the Pough-
keepsie hearing Thaw gripp@d the arms q his
chair. but this time he able u tell Mr..
Jerome that he understood the nature OF the
proceedings
What IS their Pr-Port7 was Jerome's next
query.
To find ou, whether an properly in prison -
The District Attorney made no comment. but
Immediately asked Thaw II he had been ac-
quilted Of the murder cf Stanford Waite Thaw
said re had.
There was stir in TIE courtroom. but T1lsw
never finched. and answered simply Yes
Q-Hcw did the jury sqgIt you Shsn you killed
him without reason A--There we're elements IN
weighed po,entIy - the minds % the Jury that
DO yau thi1lt he tsry took lrto consideration
the moral conduct of Wtlte- A-Yes
Q-You are man q education7 Al not a
OF don'c refer n that Al m more Or lesS
see 9a ko 81 noe5s So: Gee R5s- Rf es 5s 5s s6gss'd 1
a West Poiut- Al tank d. am not a
9 99 Ss mo. rot re , that 9has isr q. idea It is n
O-Would IL not b & wrong thing for gentle
man - s1bo-n perjury A--fes-
Of act b. sUhorH.ng perjury A.-No. sir
ABOUT VOICES N STATION HOUSE.
Mr. Jerome paused moment and then
abruptly asked the witness Il he had heard
certain patrolne= testify at the trials that on
the night after ne shot White ThaW complained
OF hearing the voices Of young girls screaming
in the Tenderloin station He said he remen-
bered the testimony. but denied having heard
the voices. Thaw vas keeping cool. plying his
fan Internationally and sitting ale-t FOR the COM
ing OF the next question
The topic Of Mr.. Jerones next few questions
hypnctism and Thaw's communications on
the subject with man named Ferris His in
te-sst in the subject. Thaw said. had been
aroused By the strong influence 4 man IN <eR
York welded over young girl who came from
the same town re CThaw1 did More questions
along this line brought the explanation from
Thaw that II he had spoken of hypnotisrn in his
letters 20 his friends Frederick ". Longfenow
as bearing on the young girls case he didn't
mean 70 use the term.
Il meant he volunteered. that this man
had strong influence over her"
Then Mr. Jerome returned TO tire voices IN the
cells Of the Tenderioin station on the night OF
Whites murder.
Did you hear children's voices in the cells
he asked
No. OF course noc.T Thav replied
Then Mr.. Jerome read tire testimony OF Lynch
the doo-man at the station. given az the Ttaw
trials. il which tie policeman said Thsw had
complained OF hearing the voices OF young girls
screaming. Il in pain. Thav said the door
man vas mistaken. and that he had Enisunder-
I stood his complaint
Then you sat there and let him commit per
iuryz~ asked Jerome
Thsw turned hurTiedIy to Justice Mills. who
I told him 70 answer. Then he said he had told
Mr. I4ttIetoSl. his counsel. that the mans story
VAS not true. and that 81 should not - permit
ted TO 80 into tire record
NOT 4 PERJCRER. LIKE HCMMEL-"
+ But said Thaw. Lynch vas rot q periurer
Ike FEunrael. which caused Mr.. Jerome TO ask
/ - Evelyn Nesbit Tnawss AFFIDAVIT. made in the
dirninutIvs lawyers Office, was not true ThaW