The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1915-07-17
JUDGE HENDRIX
ADOPTS VERDICT
FOUND BY JURY
Slayer of Stanford White
Leaves New York In
An Automobile.
NOTICE OF APPEAL
GIVEN BY STATE
Thaw However, Supplies a
Bond of $4,000 and Is
Given His Liberty
pY ASSOCIATED PREss.

New York, July 16.-Harry K.
Thaw tonight was free Of the grip Of
the law. Supreme Court Justice Hen
dirk today gave him his freedom by
announcing he had adopted the jury's
verdict which held Thaw sane man.
The state Immediately served no.
ice of an appeal. Thaw's bond was
fixed at $4,000, which was furnished
by a surety company. This was to
insure his presence at any future pro-
ceedings.
After Thaw was freed he motored
down Broadway % the applause Of
his admirers. Hs babe the sheriff
goodbye, and wLirled away toward
Philadelphia with his car throwing
dust on the procession Of automobiles
filed with newspaper men following
him. Thaw's announced intention
was to 60 to Philadelphia and take a
train for Pittsburg.
Outside of Newark Thaw lost some
of the cars which followed him.
Until the appeal is decided Thaw
may go wherever he pleases, merely
holding himself amenable to the
courts orders.
THAW WILDLY CHEERED.
A crowd that numbered thousands
lined the streets around the court
house and cheered Thaw wildly when
he appeared on the court house steps
In announcing his decision, Justice
Hendrix took occasion to comment un-
favorably on the action of alienists
who had assisted the state in prepar-
ing the case and then appeared as
expert witnesses in the court.
"I have reached a decision in this
case" Justice Hendrix said, "and it is
based on my own mind, fortified by
the action of the jury"
Thaw, sitting with his counsel, his
mother and sister, anticipated the
courts decision with broad smile.
~ want to say word about the
alienists," Justice Hendrix continued
1--WE have been told by one alienist
that it is impossible to determine the
sanity or insanity of person without
taking the word of alienists. Thi:
court and jury cannot depend upor
the word of an alienist who for year.
ahas devoted himself to a case of this
kind and assisted in its preparation
That doctor can help prepare cas-
and then go on the stand as an ex
pert witness is wrong.
'sI hope the legislature of the stat,
will find some means to correct this
Some other method should be adopted
Gentlemen, I have adopted the yer
dict of the jury. l declare now that
is the decision of this court tab
Harry K. Thaw is sane"
Edgar Bromberger, of the groul
of lawyers for the state, gave motto
of appeal. AT a previous conference
of counsel in the case, it had beel
made clear that should the court de
eide in Thaw's favor the commitmen
of Justice Bowling under which Thay
was sent to Matteawan in 1908 afte
he had been acquitted on the ground
of insanity of the murder of Stan
ford White would not be formally va
Gated but would simply cease to ope
rate.
Justice Hendrix decided the state
notice of appeal automatically acte
as a stay.
John B. Stanchfeld, of Thaw'
counsel, then moved that Thaw b
ven his liberty under bond. Tha
vas opposed vigorously by the state
Mr.. Bromberger told the court tina
he considered Thaw insane and dan
ger to the community. Mr.. Stanch
field replied that Thaw had been ad
judged sane and that to deny him bal
virtually would nullify the courts de
cision until the appeal had been de
eided.