New-York tribune., 1911-02-01
ROBIN SANE, Jury SAYS,
DESPITE FIVE AL|EN|STS
81 Throw My Hat in the Air Tor
You," Says Judge Swami,
Surprised and Delighted.
TALE OF BRIBED EXAMINER
Jerome, Assigned as Counsel, Re.
fuses to Let Indicted Banker
Plead, Calling Proceed.
ing a Farce.

lily T dI Cc,
After five we'll known alienists had
testified that Joseph G. Robin. who Is
awaiting trial on eight indictments
charging the larceny OF $4,000 from
the Washington Savings Bank. vas hope
lessly insane. a jury in General Sessions
Yesterday adjudged him sane. The ver-
dict OF the jury which deliberated only
half an hour. was accepted by Judge
Swami. and Robin was declared sane.
He will be arraigned on Thursday morn
ing to plead 10 the indictments
William Travers Jerome. former Dis
trict Attorney who was assigned as
counsel for Robin. refused last night to
allow his client 10 plead, declaring tho
proceedings a farce. Where the jury
had opposed its judgment 10 that of the
corps of eminent authorities on mental
disorders. Mr.. Jerome opposed his 10 that
| OF the fury. Judge Swami said he VAS
elated at the verdict. although he had
fully expected the jury % declare RooiH
| insane
Your verdict vindcates the Jury sys-
tenn over the experts" said Judge Swami.
| 1T is very sensible. am perfectly sat
| isfed. although greatly surprised. as
| looked for a verdict OF insane, feeling
/ that the Jury would not be able u WITH
| stand the opinion Of the experts. throw
my hat in the air for you, gentlemen.
We have had a great day
| Judge Swami then assigned Mr.. Je-
rome to act as counsel and directed
| Robin TO plead. Mr.. Jerome. who vas
] retained by Robin atfhe time or his ar
rest. had withdrawn as his counsel de-
c,ar,ns his client incompetent 10 con-
duct a defence.or consult with counsel
Being fully coguizant OF this case
said Mr.. Jerome, Il, refuse To enter any
nlea IN this mans behalf / attended
here not as his counsel. but at the re-
quest Of the court After being present.
I stated that there was an abundance or
material to be presented. There Is aoun-
dance. But never considered nor mas
the court intimated, that he was bound
nv a verdict OF jury. II there ever was
q verdict agains, the weight OF evidence
this was
Jerome Refers to Rlienis,s' B..
Mr. Jerome ran over the list or ahen-
lists including DR. Smith Ely Jeline' DIR.
Allan McL.ane Hamilton, Dr Pearce
Railey. DR.. Charles l. Dana ana Dr-
Austin Flint, who testified at inc 'ridl'
and DR. William A. White ana o'herS
vho had examined Robin. All agreed IN
the opinion that he was insane ana al
save DR.. Flint had been retained D! 'iio
District Attorney.
He said the alienists who testifed
we're as much the advisors OF inc cour'
as the fury, and that DR.. Louise u. fa-
b,nov,tch. the sister, and Mrs. Herman
Rabinovitch. who says she is the mother
oy Robin. might have been called 70 shed
further light upon Robins mental con-
d,t,on II the court had had any DOUBT
a., the subject after hearing the experts.
Mr. Jerome dwelt upon the fact thar
the law authorizing the days proceed
,nas made the jury merely the courts
adviser and that the final decision OF
the question rested with the Judge
JudSe Swami reminded Mr.. jerome
that his suggestion for any further IN
structions had been asked when the
court was charging the jury. Al that
time Mr.. Jerome had told the courtrhat
he thought the jury understood tho
matter.
'I say this proceeding IS a farce re-
! nIied Mr. Jerome 10 the courts re-
minder. when the judgment OF six men
of the distinction of the men who have
examined this defendant Is thus set
aside II Is making travesty or justice
70 require this man 10 plead, whom six
y, the most accomplished alienists In
the country have declared ought to-day
70 be in a unatic asylum.
"I accept the assignment as counsel.
and say this man is unable 20 consult
with counsel"
"This is a good common sense jury,
said Judge Swami, while the jury smiled
its approval and one Juror clapped his
hands. THE issue has been decided for
me. and II is decided now and forever"
and he announced his intention 10 direct
a plea OF not guilty to be entered for
Robin. But, OF second thought he ad-
tourned the pleading untli lhursu|y
morning at 10:30 o'clock.
District Attorney Whitman. who has
contended that Robin was sane despite
the opinions OF his own and Robins
alienists took no part in the colloquy
between Judge Swami and Mr.. Jerome.
but wore a satisfied smile.
Robin Shows No Surprise.
Robin didn't give any evidence OF sur
prise at the jury's verdict. When he
was led back 20 the Tombs he wore the
same leering expression that had marked
his face during the proceedings. DR..
Kabinovitch his sister. whose attempt
TO have committee appointed for
Ropin's property on the ground that he
was insane. appeared dazed. Whereas.
she had INDUCED I'm a demonstration OK
affection for the prisoner during the
, noon recess. she did not notice him when
, he was led away at the close of TIE day.
Altogether Robin was on the witness
stand under examination by District
Attorney Whitman and Mr.. Jerome for
about three hours lie gave details OF
his business life from the time he came
, 20 this country and engaged in news
!, paper work. up 20 the time he became
|, , a purchaser Of banks lie said he had
no difficulty in remembering the facts.