Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1909-07-29

his own hands today.
For six hours he occupied the wit
ness stand while Districy Attorney
Jerome, who twice tried to convict him
of murder, and who once already has
thwarted an effort to release him from
the criminal insane asylum, delved
into his life history.
Thaw emerged creditably from the
ordeal Whatever Mr.. Jerome and his
alienists may make Of the examina-
ton, to the eye and ear Of the lay
man, Stanford Whites slayer showed
no signs of insanity today.
Tonight Ihaw, the members of his
family and his attorneys and experts
were unanimous in their opinion that
he has proved his fitness to be at
large.
But Thaw's ordeal is not over. He
will remain on the witness stand to-
morrow and perhaps a day longer.
The states alienists believe IL he is
insane he will be more likely to be-
tray himself toward the end when
wearied by Jerome's continued ham
mering.
Neither Thaw nor the district at
torney displayed anything but the ut
most good nature. Frequently the
dialogue resembled the chat of friends.
Sometimes Thaw thought he had
scored a point and smiled with the
keenest enjoyment. The smile was
always reflected on the face of his
white haired mother, who sat in court
throughout the day with the other
members of the Thaw family.
WI ties Name Recalled
Jerome strove to establish Thaw's
insanity, mainly on Thaws alleged hal
lucination regarding Stanford Whites
treatment of young girls.
Time and again he asked the wit
ness his opinion of his mental state.
ThaW's replies in substance were:
81 have always been sane, medically,
When | killed White, l may have been
legally insane for few minutes. 1
am sane now"
Thaw explained the evidence of his
alienists at the trial by saying that,
in declaring him insane, they had been
msled. They were told, he said, that
the charges he made against White
were untrue and they inferred the
charges must be delusions.
Questions that made the witness
knit his brows had to do with his re-
lations with Evelyn Nesbit before their
marriage. He declared. however. that
he had treated the girl well on their
European trip, and had repeatedly
asked her to marry him.
Thaw Takes Stand
Harry X. Thaw took the witness
stand at the opening session. He
| turned to kiss his aged mother as he
strobe proudly to the stand. Then he
settled back in the witness chair, and
| in a low but steady voice began his
duel with District Attorney jerome.
His very first statement created a sem
sation in the courtroom.
ha In, ocr
me the jury was largely influenced by
the belief that Stanford White de-
served his fate"
another reason I was acquitted" he
continued, was, believe, because the
attorneys on both sides told the jury
my act was caused by certain delu-
sions."
Then District Attorney Jerome be-
gan.
You are a gentleman and an edu-
Gated MANI" he asked.
The witness nodded.
sYou believe that a gentleman should
defend his honor?"
YES"
"And if you committed an act in the
defense of your honor, would you con-
slider yourself justified in committing
perjury to escape the consequences of
your act?"
NO" replied the witness, shaking his
head.
Questioned About Hypnotism
The district attorney abandoned this
attack and spoke of hypnotism.
Did you ever take lessons as a
hypnotist?"
"They could hardly be called les
sons" said Thaw, smiling. Il talked
with one four or five times"
Did you ever think that Stanford
White eXerted a hypnotic influence
over Miss Evelyn Nesbit?"
From her remarks l thought such n
| thing possible. At least, he certainly
had very strong influence over her"
jerome examined Thaw at length on
the testimony given at the trial re-
garding Thaw's alleged hallucination
that a number of little girls were
locked up in the Jail where he was con-
fined when first arrested.
"That's rubbish" said Thaw.
"Then did you, dominated by this
idea of noblesse oblige, allow Mr.. Lit
Teton (Thaw's attorney to put this in
evidence?"
81 told him not to, but he insisted on
using it,"
Up to this point Thaw had acquitted
himself well. and his lawyers, alien
lists and relatives exchanged glances of
congratulation.
Objects to Wife's Testifying
Ibid your wife reproach you fol-
flashing those women regarding whom
Mrs Merritt testified, and say she
could get a divorce on that ground,
and did you tell her she could not p
asked Mr.. Jerome.
mo"
Are you willing that we should cal
her here as a witness against your"
Thaw hesitated and his attorney in
| terposed an objection, declaring thai
he insisted upon the privilege of the
domestic relation under which he coulo
keep Evelyn Nesbit Thaw off the stand
Thaw agreed with the view sof his
attorney.
"Why don't you let her appear?"
Because" retorted Thaw, give seer
good many sorts of witnesses you've
brought here"
Did you ever write a letter to your
wife containing an improper drawing? p
asked Mr.. Jerome.
On objection of Thaw's counsel the
question was not answered, and lega
| tilt took place between counsel regard
| ing Mr.. Jerome's right to introduce {
letter written by Thaw to his wife.
Tells Matteawan Experiences
Mr.. Morschauser for Thaw, insisted
| that letters between a husband anC
wife were sacred and confidential. JUS
tice Mills postponed his ruling and the
letter was held up for the present
Thaw left the stand for few minute:
at this point to let his side put or
Peter B. Olney, member of the sanity