The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1914-01-13
NOTABLE VICTORY
FOR HARRY K. THAW
Commission Finds No Trace of
Insanity.
MENTAL CONDITION SOUND
Report Says Liberty Under Bail
Would Not be Dangerous-Re-
views His Past Trials.

Kendall Thaw would not be a public
ing to the report OF the commission
appointed by Federal Judge Aldrich
to inquire into Thaw's mentality. The
report says the commission finds
Thaw is not now afflicted with any
OF the mental diseases from which
he was suffering when he slew Stan
ford White.
The finding was announced today.
While the commissioners say they
have reached "a definite and posi-
tive opinion" as to the present mental
condition of Thaw and his probable
state of mind at the time of the
homicide, "they refrain from express
ing this opinion in view of their in
structions from the court not to en-
barrass any subsequent litigation.
Z where the broad question of insanity
might be involved: IS. .,
MENTAL CONDITION SOUND. =
Upon the. question Of menace or
danger through the granting of bail,
we may, however, be permitted and
probably are compelled" concludes
the report, Ito record our finding
that whatever may nave been the
mental condition of Harry K. Thaw
at the time of the homicide, he now
is not suffering from any of the men
tai diseases alleged by the prosecu-
tiUn at the time Of the trials or sub
sequently thereto, namely, mania
Oppressive insanity, paranoia, de-
mentia praecox, or delusional In
sanity.
"In our opinion it is reasonably
probable that Harry Kendall Thaw's
liberty under bail would not be dan
gerous or a menace to the public
safety"
MEMBERS OF COMMISSION.
The commission comprised Gen.
Frank S. Streeter, a lawyer of this
city, DIR. Morton Prince, Boston; DR..
G.. Alderblumer, superintendent of
Butler Hospital for the Insane, Provi-
6once, r. l., and DR.. Charles p. Ban
croft, superintendent of the New
Hampshire Hospital for the Insane,
this city The report will be consid-
cred by Judge Aldrich early this
week in connection with the petition
of Thaw for admission to bail under
habeas corpus proceedings. The
judge has said that after the pre-
sentation of the report, interested
parties may have an opportunity to
be heard further before the question
of bail finally is passed on. No date
for hearing has been set.
After referring briefly to Thaws
second trial and his committal to
Matteawan State Hospital, the report
says the commission examined all
entries of the official record in the
hospital relating to Thaw from Feb
ruary, 1908, to the date of his escape
from the hospital. transcripts Of
three cross-examinations of Thaw by
counsel for the state OF New York on
habeas corpus proceedings were also
inspected. ~"
"All the cross-examinations," says
the report, except that before JUS
tice Morschauser, which was brief,
covered the most searching inquiry
into Thaw's mental condition and
attitude.
USED EXHIBITS AND LETTERS.
1--WE also had before u.s." said the
commissioners, various exhibits, let
ters and other documents used upon
the two trials for homicide and In
other proceedings"
The report then tel OF the public
hearings held on January Z, at which
interested parties were asked to offer
evidence of acts committed by Thaw
since his committal to Matteawan,
tending TO show personal violence and
evidence to the contrary. Counsel
for the state of New York." 1t con-
tinues, declined to appear on the
ground that our power under the or
der of the court was inadequate TO a
determination of the question sub
mitted. Counsel appeared for Thaw
and offered evidence of his custodian
ship since September 1S, 1913"
The commission says its mental ex-
aminations OF Thaw covered a
searching inquisition into all the acts
of his life. They included an eXami-
nation of his present and former
mental attitudes with reference to all
his acts"
A careful physical examination to
determine the presence or absence OF
structural or functional disturbance
OF the nervous system, also was made.
"In its studies ana deliberations"
says the report "the commission has
In the main confined its attention to
facts, preferring to attach little inn
portance to conflicting opinions of eX-
perts and other Witnesses"
Thaw attended church with his
mother today, accompanied by one OF
Thaw's guards.
80 ater they were informed of the
.,Nsteag of the commission but neither
~. 81 comment, saying they were