New-York tribune., 1909-07-31
COURT EXAMINES THAW
INDICATES PRESENCE OF
EXAGGERATED EGO"
Witness Loses Jaunty Confidence
During Unexpected Though
Gentle InquiSiti0n.

few simple and pertinent questions put in a
most gentle and kindly manner by Justice Mills
In the courthouse At White Plains yesterday 10
Harry X. Thaw have done far more, IL IS
thought. 10 shake the confidence OF his friends
IN the prospect Of his early liberation from the
insane asylum than all the long hours OF severe
examination To which he has been subjec ted 10y
District Attorney Jerome What the justice
seemed 10 think was an exhibition by Thaw Of
the exaggerated ego" in the present proceed
ings may mean that I'm a week the SLAYER of
Stanford White will go back to Matteawan for
indefinite period.
Justice Mills explicit IN saying that he
had formed no decision as a result Of his examl-
nation OF the witness. But the general impress
sion left by his short talk with Thaw at the
close Of the morning session was that Thaw. by
his dictatorial and aggressive manner. had done
far more to queer his prospects of freedom
than had Mr.. Jerome and his aienists and wit
nesses
Despite the sweltering heat Of the courtroom
and long and tedious night passed In examin-
ing papers with his counsel Thaw espe-
ciaIIy taunty and self possessed in his manner
wher Mr. Jerome decided To call him TO the
stand again AT the opening Of the session. lie
was defiant and aggressive in his attitude ana
more than once showed that he feit that he had
met the enemy and come off victorious
TALKS BACK To JEhOME'
AS the mornl1g waxed apace and Jerome phed
him with questions as to his alleged lmnoraI
and cruel practices. he seemed to cast discretion
to the winds TIL nothing of Difference IN
his manner and he laughed scornfuIly as he told
Mr. Jerome that the District Attorney was prob
ably referred 10 as CRAZY Jerome" as often as
he himself was called Mad Harry" Mr.. Jerame
shortly after noon announced that he had
finished his examination. Mr.. Morschauser had
no questions to ask the witness.
Then Justice Mills quietly took hand. Turn
ing to Thaw he asked him for his own informa-
ton what had been hts honest belief in regard
to the alleged immoral practices Of Stanford
White. and on what evidence had he based his
belief The justice then wanted TO know why
Thaw had sent his memoranda to Delmas. and
v,hv he had suggested that his act in killing
White be compared in the lawyers summing up
10 the deeds of those heroes of old St George
and Jonathan TEaw's Jaunty air was fast de-
sertng him.
But there was worse still in store Justice
Mills had noted Thaws tendency to direct his
counsel as to how he should conduct the case
and his eagerness to offer suggestions and make
Thaw's sayety evaporated COM
pletely. He was breathing heavily he bent
over Justice Mills's desk and fastened to refute
the impression that he felt himself more COM
petent than his lawyers to look out for his own
interests Justice Mils's examination began;
O-Now. Mr.. Thaw, did you thoroughly belisve
what YOU told DR.. Evans to your belief in the
practices OF White. and what you have said
your honest belief7 A.-AbsoIuteiy honest
THINKS Dr.. EVANS WAS MISLED.
Q-Then you say that YOU understand that Dr.
Evans was misied from outside sources as 70 your
opinions and that he was told your beliefs were
AIN my opinion absolutely ana
that led o his giving such opinion.
QLAnd You held this opinion at the time of the
trial? A-Not altogether.
O-WeH then. in part. at least? A.Yes
O.-At the present time you mold the same belief
in regard TO Stanford White as you did then? A.
ON substance? A-Yes. / found Il mis-
taken in things and have found some addi-
o,@Rut in substance YOU believed That he and
his associates were con 1uctng these practices
Al never thought Of his associates or anything
oEBut you did think in regard to him? A
Yes. -,
that he committed rape on these young girls in
this room-that is. with the exception OF two or
them? A-Yes. sir; In substance
O-I have been watching all along here TO get
at that evidence you say you had In regard 70 the
Continued fourth page.