Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1911-03-02
Plea Of New York Banker
Charged with Larceny.
Declaration Causes Surprise
To Followers Of Trial.
History Of This Picturesque Case
Sentence March II.

Robin, the fallen banker, pleaded gull
~ today to an indictment charging
him with the larceny OF $4,000 from
the Washington Savings Bank. OF
which he was formerly president Sev-
en- indictments against him remain
He was rcmanded to the Tombs until
March q. when he will be sentenced
The collapse of Robins defence Of
insanity. put forward by his sister, Or
Louise Robinoyitch, and his counsel.
William Travcrs jerome had been
foreshadowcd last night. when it was
reported that Robin said he was tired
of all this fooling." but it caused a
stir in the courtroom none the less.
On the night before the Northern
Bank OF New York, in which Robin
was also interested, went into the
hands of the state superintendent OF
banks, Robin was committed to a
private Sanitarium on atfidavits sworn
out by his sister and two physicians.
The sanitarium rejected him and he
returned to the jurisdiction of the
court and submitted to arrest, after
an exciting search by detectives from
the district attorneys office and a
horde of newspaper reporters.
On the day he was arrested he at
tempted suicide on the way to the
court by swallowing a dose of hyos-
camin. but the prompt use OF a stom-
ach pump saved him.
On motion of jerome, alienists were
appointed by the state and the defence
to examine his sanity and they re-
ported unanimously that he was i'm
competent to undertake defence. A
jury rejected the findings of the alien
lists and Judge Swain complimented
the jury on its sense.
The case came to trial on Monday
and Jcromc's preliminary motions TO
dismiss on the ground that the de-
PENDANT was insane, were OVerruled
by Justice Scabury. Jerome followed
with d searching examination of each
talesman and all indications were that
the case would be fought to the last
ditch. The defence also went so far
as to challenge one juror for mental
incompetency when he sWorc that he
would review the testimony of the
aliensts in the light of his common
sense" but the challenge was not al
lowed. This morning just before the
trial began. DR.. Louise Robinovitch
'~'''''NN' NAtii any IiiliiIld-
ton that her brother would plead gull
ty. Nevertheless Jerome decided to
withdraw from the defence and Robin
through other counsel pleaded guilty.
withdrawing. jerome rehearscd the
preliininaries of the case and his con-
duct Of il at length.
Il maintain the attitude I did he
said, mot through my obstinacv, but
because I sincerely believed Robin
WIS insane"
As Jerome sat down, Robin rose.
Your Honor" he began II want to
make statement concerning the ar
ticl.s in some of the morning papers"
Jerome motioned him to sit down
and Justice Seabury interrupted him
before he could say more. IL seems
strange to me-" jnterppsed the court,
that what was private conference
should have been spread in the morn
ing papers. | want to say that i is
shameful and that il is unfortunate
there is 10 Law to enable the court to
protect its own dignity, as there is i'll
England and other states. Such a
law should Be put on the statute books
of this state"
y =
after the court proceedings. refused
to allow his client to talk. Mr.. Cold
smith said:
All along Robin has maintained
that he is sane. Not FOR ono minute
did he say that he WIS mentally UNI
balanced in the least. Robin is not
responsible for What the aIicnists test
flied to-
Robin on mi. plea of guilty may be
given an undetermined sentence oi
not less than five years and not NOR,
than ten years.
Through his operations. the Washing
ton Savings Bank, the Northern Bans
of New York. the Carnegie Trust Co
and a string Of minor concerns Whlci
he promoted went into insolvency. Nc
tull statement of his larcenies has
yet been made public by the state oani
examiners.