New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-07-14
Paranoia and Mental In
feriority Theories Divide
States Doctors.
TESTIMONY ENDS;
CASE TO JURY TO-DAY
Plant Against Thaw's Gaze
Amazes Judge-Slayer Roams
About Courtroom.

The state brought its case against
Harry X. Thaw to a close yesterday
with its own alienists at loggerheads as
TO the sort of insanity he is afflicted
with. DR.. Austin Flint stuck to his
theory that Thaw has out and out para
noia and that it is an absolutely incur
able form of madness.
He was followed on the stand by D..
Amos 7. Baker, who gave it as his sworn
opinion that Thaw was not a plain
paranoiac, but was constitutionally in.
ferior with a paranoiac trend. He said
this was a distinct form of insanity
from the absolute paranoia of DR..
Flint's diagnosis, but agreed with Flint
TO the extent that it is incurable.
This difference of opinion was sun
shine for John B. Stanchfeld, Thaw's
chief counsel, and he made hay with Il
IN his roughshod cross-examination OF
the two alenists, upon whom the state
depended as mainstays for sending
Thaw back to Matteawan. The court
also took hand again in the examina-
tion of DR.. Baker when it cropped out
in his testimony that he differed with
Dr. Flint.
"Dr. Flint said that Thaw has para
roia and not constitutional inferiori.y
with a paranoiac trend" Justice Hen-
drick said "And you say he has con-
stitutional inferiority with a paranoiac
trend. Is there any way Of reconcilinS
these two? How is expert testimony
going to help me and the jury make
up our minds if the alienists on one
side disagree among themselves"
Court Rebukes State Lawyer.
Alfred L. Becker, assistant state
counsel, began 10 make an expplana-
tion. The justices ire was up IN
moment.
what right have you to testify here,
Mr.. Becker?" he exclaimed.
with the courts permission ] was
going to make a suggestion" Becker
"Wer, what is itH" Justice Hendrick
asked. o.,
"A man may be sick in bed with a
very high fever and two doctors may
examine him and say he has different
diseases, but he is very SICK man
iust the same" Mr.. Becker contributed.
81 see; go on" the court SAID, and
Mr.. Stanchfeld resumed his examinae-
tion of DR.. Baker. who was formerly
medical superintendent at MatteawaA
while Thaw was there.
ain YOUR testimony before Justice
Keogh at White Plains in 1872 you
said fat-footed that Thaw had para
noia. and YOU say you have not seen
him since that time, and now you elm
mate paranoia and call il a different
disease, constitutional inferiority, do
you?"
"Yes," said DR.. Baker.
as that based on your observation
of his conduct in court during this
trial ?" said Stanchfield.
partly" the doctor replied.
"As he sat here in the witness chalr
did you notice anything abnormal y
Stanchfeld pursued.
Thaw's Answers Criticised.
"He showed bad judgment in answer,
ING questions put to him by counsel
for tie other side in spite Of your OBJ
jections," Baker replied.
In response to further questions Dr.
Baker agreed that plain paranoia was
& progressive disease, with illusions
that grew until they possessed the VIC
tim entirely and finally changed his
personality. ,e,
"And is it not true" Mr.. Stanchheld
went on, that constitutional INFERIOR
ity has transitory deluslon that cu'-
inmates in some great event, ana theH
the deluson disappears :"
ayes, the delusions, may disappear
gfter that" Baker said.
"WeIi. the killing of Stanford White