The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1911-03-02
ROBIN, Sane, PLEADS GUILTY
CONTROvERTS f3 ALIENISTS
AND OFFERS STATES EVIDENCE.
some Explanations and So On in Court
-His Testimony May Shed Light OH
Carnegie Trast Company lntricacies
Sentence Postponed while He Tolls.

-Hs TestlmOny MAY Snc0 IIgnt Oh
Carnegie Trast Company lntricacies
Sentence POstpOned while He Tells.
The rumor that Joseph q. Robin had
decided to declare that he In not and never
was insane and to plead guilty before
Supreme Court Justice Seabury Of stealing
s27 900 from the depositors of the WASH
lngton Savings Bank was verified yester-
day when his counsel. W. r. jerome. with
drew from the case and Robin stood be-
fore the bar and in perfectly sane man.
ner admitted that he was guilty. THIS
sentence may be from five to ten years.
In retiring from the case Mr.. jerome re-.
iterated his belief that Robin is insane and
that the thirteen alienists who have de.
clared him incapable of understanding
the proceedings against him were hon.
estly Of that opinion Robin had changed
his demeanor. and his manner in entering
the plea was calm and in sharp contrast
to his behavior on previous arraignments.
Sentence was put OF until March 70
upon the request Of District Attorney
Whitman who said that he had always be.
lieved Robin to be sane and that Robin
had agreed to give valuable information
concerning other cases under investiga-
ton by the District Attorneys Office and
concerning persons not yet under indict-
ment These statements we're taken to
mean that Robin may tell OF certain
financial operations that preceded the
closing of the Carnegie Trust Company.
When court opened yesterday the rumor
that the trial was to come to a sudden end
had become 30 strong that there was no
surprise when Mr.. Jerome arose and said:
"Since the adjournment yesterday mat
ters have transpired which necessitate a
personal explanation. Some time after
became the defendants counsel at the
request OF the attorneys who had pre-
viously acted for him became convinced
that the defendant was Of unsound mind,
and upon that presumption ! entered
plea of not guilty. subsequently his
sanity was tested by a lay jury. which
declared him sane. and then l formally
withdrew as his counsel. but was assigned
to represent him by the court. which ex-
plains my presence here.
Il do not regard this man a being
mentally competent TO confer with
counsel. Whatever the outcome may
be. feel that have performed all my
duties under the assignment as his coun-
sel His nearest friend is his sister. DR..
Louise Robinovitch, and it is the desire
Of the defendant and his sister that from
Samuel j. Goldsmith. and request the
court to permit my retirement from
the case Now that the strain is over
I want TO assure the court that disliked
to be considered as obstructing the pro-
ceedings by my attitude while the jury
was being empanelled and want to assure
the court that at all times felt that
my actions were necessary for the pro-
lection OF my client
Il am absolutely certain OF that Mr..
Jerome replied Justice Seabury. and
feel that you were acting in good faith
at all times"
Robin was on his feet in an instant
with a typewriter sheet in his hand and
said: Your Honor, want TO make state
ment about matters in the newspapers
before"
Il do not think we want to hear any
stat ement at this time" interrupted
Justice Seabury. Turning TO the jury
Justice Seabury said:
1T seems to me most extraordinary
situation that what was a private con-
sultation bel tween the court and counsel
should be spread out in public in the
newspapers. II this trial had proceeded
it can be seen how such publication would
have affected the interests of the defend
ant because Of such matters being pub
lished II is unfortunate that tho law
OF this State liz powerless to protect tho
course OF justice from such gross abuse.
To have the conference paraded in the
newspa pers. a conference which il was
intended should remain a secret. was a
check on the administration of Justice
Justice Seabury referred TO a conference
held in his chambers after the jury box
had been filled on Tuesday. Reporters
were not admitted to the conference.
After Justice Seabury's remarks to the
jury yesterday Robin arose again and
tried to talk. and when Mr.. Whitman
objected the court directed Robin to be
seated. Mr.. Goldsmith, who has been
representing Robin in bankruptcy, with
drew the plea of not guilty and said that
the defendant desired to plead guilty.
Il ask the court to delay sentence
| for at least a month" said the District
Attorney. Il am now and have been at
all times perfectly satisfied that the de-
fendant is zane and knows absolutely
what he has done. He has offered to giv'
information concerning other matters
which have been unaer investigation iii
the District Attorneys office. concerning
persons indicted and not yet under in
dictment. and because | believe he is
sane am willing to use such information
as he is willing to give me-"
| The court then set March 81 as the date
for sentence. and Robins pedigree was
taken by Clerk Brophy. He gave his
occupation as real estate dealer. and said
he didn't know where his parents were
born, or whether they are now living or
| not.
After the adjournment Robins sister
sat beside him for some minutes with her
arm around his neck and both appeared
to bs greatly relieved. MIR. Goldsmith
then said
4 al oil loL