The Blackfoot optimist. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1907-1918, 1913-05-22
ANHuT Is FOUND
GUILTY OF BRIBERY

GUILTY OF BRIBERY
Prominent New York Attorney Faces
a Prison Term-Convicted Of Offer
ing eribe Of $4,000 to Secure Re-
lease Of Harry K. Thaw.
New York. May 17.-Another chap
ter was added to the famous case
ford White by Harry K. Thaw late to-
day when Attorney John T. Anhut was
found guilty of offering bride o
$40, 900 to obtain the release of Thaw
from the Matteawan asylum.
1t was in the same court room tina
Evelyn Thaw told her story in an
effort to save her husband from the
gallows that Anhut heard the verdict
and in pleading his own defense he
sat in the same witness chair Occu-
pied by Mrs. Thaw in the two famous
trials He then was led away to the
Tombs where he will be held until
Tuesday, when sentence will be pro-
nounced. The maximum penalty for
the offense charged against Anhut is
Is years in prison.
The case against Anhut first came
to light when a legislative investtga-
ton was ordered into the charge that
DR.. John Russell, then superintendent
at Matteawan, had been offered a
bride to release Thaw. Anhut's name
did not come out Immediately as DR..
Russell declared he could not recall
who the attorney was. Following his
indictment Anhut displayed the great
est confidence and throughout his trial
showed no sign of doubt as to the out
come With the unexpected verdict,
however, he broke down and wept
bitterly as he was led away to a cell.
Thaw Was Witness
Harry Thaw appeared as a witness
for the state. He declared, he gave
Anhut $4,000 and Consolidated Gas
securities valued at $4,000 to be used
in obtaining his release. He swore
that Anhut told him he had conferred
with DR.. Russell regarding his re-
lease and that only money was need
ed. On cross-examination, however,
Thaw declared he had been negotlat-
ing with Dr. Russell for his release
before Anhut entered the case ana
that DR.. Russell suggested that he
retain Anhut.
DR.. Russell was called and said that
he met Anhut in New York twice. He
said the attorney first offered him
any part OF $4,000 to sign release
for Thaw, and then offered him $780,
600. Russell said that he refused, de-
claring that if he accepted such pro-
posal he would be publicly disgraced
and dismissed. Then he swOre Anhut
told him, that Thaw would pay him
$40, 900 a year in case he was dismls-
ho TO 0r fnnnd |
other means of gaining a livelihood.
On cross-examination Russell admitted
that he had seen Anhut many times
at White Plains, motored with him,
PLAYED cards with him and spent hours
in his company.
He said he did not intend to tell a
falsehood in saying he could not re-
call the time of the attorneys visits
when before the legislative commit
tee, but said his memory was bad.
The Defense Of Anhut
In his own defense Anhut admitted
receiving $25, 900 from Thaw, but said
it was a retaining fee. In case ne
failed to obtain Thaw's release hall
Of the $25, 900 was to be returned by
certain date and the remainder later
in case he finally failed. He swore
he did not offer DR.. Russell brlbe,
but that Russell insisted on RECEIVING
q portion of the money. DR.. Russell
was dismissed as superintendent o
soon after the legislative
into the case.
Before Thaw took the stand IN the
case Justice Seabury instructed tn
Jury that legally Thaw must be col
sidered unatic and his testimony
regarded accordingly. The original Ia
dictment charging Thaw with t.
of White was read to
Jurors before he testified.
In his address to the Jury Assistant
District Attorney Deford declared that
the only way to describe Russell was
as a good, big natured slOb."
HE met Anhut at White Plains and
asked him to visit him." said Deford'
He missed engagements with him
here and only remembered Anhut
when Thaw asked him to recommend
a lawyer.
Russell probably failed to say any
thing about attempts to bribe him,
because he knew Thaw would try
he could to secure his re-
lease. using Anhut, not as lawyer
but merely as a go. between"
Idaho Falls Roundup
That Idaho Falls is going to get in