New-York tribune., 1911-03-02
ROBIN PLEADS GUILTY.;
SENTENCE DEFERRED
District Attorney Begins ExanI-
nation of Banker for Prom
ised Revelations.
JEROME QUITS AS COUNSEL
Still Holds Man Is Insane-Jus-
tice Seabury to Satisfy Him.
self That He Is Really
Sane.

with sudden change of front, Joseph
G.. Robin, the banker, whose involved
financial career resulted in the closing
OF the Northern Bank OF New York and
the Washington Savings Bank, pleaded
guilty yesterday. as forecast in The
Tribune, to the specific charge Of steal
ing 81, 900 from the latter institution.
matte close before Justice Seabury. in
the Criminal Branch OF the Supreme
Court. The jury had just been com
pleted. and no evidence had been taken
ia the case
Former District Attorney Jerome, the
defendants counsel, who had made a
strenuous effort to block proceedings on
the ground that his client was insane
and should not be tried. withdrew from
the case prior to the entering of the plea.
He stated to the court that he was still
Of the firm belief that Robin was men,
tally unsound and therefore he could not
consent. in the capacity of counsel. to
the plea which the defendant was deter
the opinion of the thirteen well known
alienists who had examined Robin, Mr.
Jerome said. Samuel j. Goldsmith, who
! has represented Robin in bankruptcy
proceedings, entered the plea of guilty
for the defendant.
In agreeing 10 accept the plea District
Attorney Whitman said that he had felt
sure all along that the prisoner was sane
and sensible. and inasmuch as he desired
To examine the defendant in regard to
certain criminal transactions involving
! other probable offenders, and Robin has
expressed a Willingness to give certain
information. he asked that sentence be
deferred until the end of the month.
Justice Seal ry remanded Robin to the
Tombs without bail for sentence on
March =.
Robin began his story to the District
Attorney yesterday afternoon. He was
taken over from the Tombs and was ex-
amined by Assistant District Attorney
Clark for two hours. Mr.. Clark had
charge Of the investigation of Robins
affairs before the grand jury which
found eight indictments against him.
Robins Sister at the Inquiry.
He has also been investigating evil
dence of alleged irregularities presented
to the District Attorneys Office by the
state Banking Department in connec-
ton with the closing OF the Carnegie
Trust Company, it is said Joseph A
Frederick, who has been going over
some of the books of the trust company
with Mr.. Clark, was present part of the
{ time during Robins examination. DR..
! Louise Robnovitch, Robins sister, and
/ Mrs Dorland, the bankers former sec
retary, also were present. Robins
counsel was not there.
Mr.. Clark said afterward that nothing
definite had developed as result OF the
prisoners examination yesterday. He
said that Robin probably would be ex-
amined every day for several days. I'm
portant developments In other cases are
| expected as a result of the Information
which Robin has said he will furnish 10
the District Attorney.
ecause of the much agitated question
of the defendants mental condition
Justice Seabury intends to have Robin
examined again as To his sanity before
passing sentence. according TO Mr.. Gold
smith Robins present counsel. Mr.
Goldsmith said that the examination
would probably not be of an official nat
ure but that Justice Seabury had told
him ne was desrous of fully satisfying
! ontinued on fhh page.