Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-06-25
If Charlton Is Not Insane,
Father Will Not Shield Him

NEW YORK. June 25-'I am a father
first, Judge afterward.
IF I am convinced that my son ID
insane, and is legally innocent of the
murder of his wife at Lake Como, Italy,
with which he is charged ! shall have
him incarcerated in an asylum. On the
other hand, il he Is proven sane and
guilty Of the murder, the people may
have his blood.
II want Justice done first. last and all
the time. ! will use no undue influence,
nor will take advantage of any legal
technicalities in my efforts to free my
With Spartanlike courage Judge Paul
Charlton, father Of the self-confessed
slayer. utters this declaration. He made
1t plain that he would not use any influ-
legal adviser to the bureau of insular
affairs at Washington to extricate his
son from his present plight.
Under Assumed Name at Hote1.
Early yesterday. after his talk with
young Porter in the Jail in Hoboken
Judge Charlton went ito the Hotel Ia
fayette. University place and 9th street
and registered under an assumed name
in order to escape observation. He was
accompanied by his son George. and was
later joined by his wife, the stepmother
of Porter Charlton.
The three were on the point of setting
out to visit Porter In Jail when tele-
gram was delivered to Mrs. Charlton in
forming her of the death of her father,
DR.. A. WantaH of Baltimore.
Mrs. Charlton was overcome by the
news and left Immediately for Baltimore.
Tell Porter I'll be back to see him as
soon / can, she whispered to her
husband.
Judge Charlton was seen at his hotel.
Clarke. their attorney. The judge author
lied him to conduct the interview
Il cannot repeat too strongly that / am
not attempting to thwart Justice said
Judge Charlton II believe my son was
insane and therefore innocent, when he
killed his wife. But IL he was not insane
he must stand the consequences of his
act. and i would be the last man on
earth to block the just penalty.
Cannot Believe Son Sane.
Il had four expert alienists-Dr Hamil-
| ton. DR.. Arlitz. DIR. Charles A. Dana and
DR.. Fisher-visit my son in his cell today,
and my future actions will be governed
by their report. which will be rendered
/ in few days. DIR. Arlitz. after he had
| examined my boy, said he was undoubt-
coly pds duOIdC anu tndt ne was sur
fering from dementia precox and de-
mentia adolescence, caused evidently by
his experiences with Mrs. Charlton.
II, myself, do not, cannot believe my
son is sane. All his actions tend to the
opposite belief. When 1 went to see him
yesterday for the first time in several
| months. he held his hand before his face
and for time would not take my hand
| or converse with me. His mind seems
hazy as to what happened on the night
| or the crime. although he is perfectly
cogent in other ways.
AT the proper time we shall produce
| letters written by my son before and
/ after his marriage. These will have, IL
seems to me, an important bearing on
\ the question of his present insanity.
Those written before his marriage are
| fine examples of literature Those writ
ten after are incohereDt in the extreme.
Wants Public to Be Neutral.
II can only think that the sudden mar
rage with woman so much older thar
himself and his experiences with her have
made him a paranoiac. But my attitude
Is at present simply neutral, and I wan,
the public to be so.
wait until the report of the eminent
alienists is submitted. II they pronounce
him sane. let him be punished for his un.
/ thfnkable act. But IL he is and was in
sane. let him be adjuuged legally innocent
and l will Immediately shut him up In ar
asylum.
I'm the meantime will not apply for q
writ of habeas corpus or attempt any
| other legal lodges"
| Judge Charlton an Expert.
| Charltons father is one OF the best
known lawyers in Washington. He is
bit of AN expert on international Law
himself. classmate of President Taft
and has long been attached to the Wal
| Department. where IL has been his duty
Continued on Fourth 1ags.)