New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-07-09
THAW ENJOYS HEARING
His Own AIieniSt TestlfleS That
He Is Sane.
SAYS HE WANTS DIVORCE
Regrets Killing of Stanford
White and Says Murder Was
Greatest Mistake of His Life.

1t was quite evident that Harry K. Thaw
thoroughly enjoyed the proceedings yester-
day at the hearing into his sanity before
Justice Keogh at White Plains. Thaw had
sat for fifteen court days and heard the
sordid story Of his life repeated, and the
expert opinion of the states aNer!sts, testi-
flying one after the other, that he was an
incurable maniac and would be a danger
to the peace and safety OF the community
If released from Matteawan Asylum.
DR.. Adoph Meyer, professor Of psychi-
airy at Johns Hopkins University the first
alienist TO testify for the Thaw forces,
occupied the witness stand for the greater
part of the time yesterday, and, in his
opinion, Thaw is entirely safe and sane,
with no trace OF the dreaded paranoia in
his present makeup, or past, for that
matter.
Thaw took a keener personal interest in
everything that went on in the courtroom
when 1t came time for his alienIsts TO begin
their testimony. He actually showed scme
Of the happiness and buoyancy which were
characteristic of his youth, according 10
DR.. Meyers testimony, when the opportu-
nifty arrived for his side of the case to be
talked with his mother and sisters, who
sat near him, and frequently whispered TO
Drs Mills and White, his other al!enIsts,
when DR.. Meyer was making strong
point in his favor.
Attitude Toward Jerome a Challenge.
Former District Attorney Jerome, Of the
states forces was the recipient OF ThaW's
eager, smiling gances with noticeable ire
quency. There was a predominating chal-
lenge in Thaws attitude toward Jerome as
much as TO say: You've had your chance
and you've done your worst; now it Is my
time to crow"
DR. Meyer testified that he had made six
examinations OF Thaw. in all, the first che
In the White Plains jail on October 5, 1908.
In all his contact and conversations with
Thaw upon these occasions, the witness
said, no found nothing essentially abnormal
In his speech or actions. Thaw's answers
TO the hundreds of questions propounded to
him by the al!en!sts during the course OF
these examinations were always frank
spontaneous and absolutely consistent, the
witness said. There was not the slightest
indication OF evaS!yeness or contradiction
at any time, no effort to conceal or to make
statements which did not come perfectly
natural. the witness testified.
Mr.. Shearn finally asked the witness the
all-lraportant hypothetical question. incor-
porat!ng all the evidence in the case, tie
examinations and observation or ThaW by
Dr.. Meyer, and asked the witness II he had
been able TO form an opinion Of Thaws
mental condition based on those facts. DR..
Meyer said he had
Is Nj. Thaw suffering from any mental
disease or defect Of mind which would
make him dangerous 10 himself or others
II released" asked Mr. Shearn
In my opinion he is not replied Or
Meyer.
In your opinion, is he sane or insane?'
asked Thaw's counsel.
"Ho IS sane" was the reply.
The only unusual thing" the alien!st no.
ticed about Thaw during his examinations
was his rapid flow Of words. He talked
much moro rapidly than the witness was
able to record his answers, even with the
aid OF a stenographer But there was 10
suggestion of indifference or irrationaIty
In that, the witness said
There is a decided discrepancy between
Thaw's expression OF his ideas In writing
and in speaking, because OF the rapidly OF
his speech" said DR.. Meyer.