Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-07-19
'UNWR|TTEN LAW BASIS
OF THAW's ACQU|TTAL
Foreman Of Jury Admits That Ques-
ton Of Insanity Never Was
Entertained
INSTRUCTIONS ARE IGNORED
Jurors Disregard Fact That Defend
ant Had Been Declared Insane
Three Times-Base Verdict En-
tirely on His Right to Kill White.
Especial to The Times-Dispatch.l

Especial to The Times -Dispatchl
ATLANTIC CITY, n. J., July 1s.-
David Robinson. foreman OF the jury
which declared Harry *. Thaw sane.
had a conference here to-day with
Thaw. following which some highly in
terestinE inside facts with regard to
the feelings prompting the verdict
were made public.
In a statement to Ave newspaper
correspondents in Room No. 1l0 OF the
Dennis Hotel, Mr. Robinson declared
that, convinced that Thaw had never
heen crazy, the jurors disregarded the
instructions OF Justice Hendricks that
they were to consider the fact that
Thaw had three times been dcclar ed
insane, and reached their verdict prac-
t!cally on the basis OF the "unwritten
law"
Speaking for himself alone. Mr. Rob
inson said:
Il knew all about the case before
had read about it in the newspaper"
Then you went into the jury box
with your mind made up that Thaw
was sane?" he was asked
WILLING TO HEAR WHAT
STATE HAD TO OFFER
II was willing to hear the testimony
and see what they had to Offer" was
the reply.
Incidentally. Mr.. Robinson let IT be
known that he went into the jury
box without the circumstances being
brought out that back in the eighties
he had served on jury in Georgia
ha
unwritten law. a man charged with
the murder OF his wife's paramour.
Foreman Robinson arrived in Allan
tic City on Saturday afternoon accom-
panied by his wife and n party Of
where Thaw is located He at once
sent word TO Thaw through Daniel
Deane. the private detective who ac-
companied Thaw, that he wanted to
see him In connection with an editorial
printed in New York newspaper on
Saturday which described Thaw as n
Murderer" and made references 10
the potency OF Thaw money. This
morning Robinson and Thaw had n
half hours talk, at the conclusion OF
which Thaw suggested that the re-
portcrs see Robinson.
great displeasurc over the editorial
complained Of.
I'VE are not worried about the sug-
Gestion of Thaw money" he said.
'Everybody talks about that. But
don't think the paper had any right to
call Thaw n murderer. as he has been
acquitted on that charge"
Was II the view OF the Jury that this
h1 inc
ask ed.
Yes" was tho reply. I'VE thought
he never had been insane"
Then II he never was crazy, doesn't
1t follow that he was guilty OF
murder?"
Not at all said Mr.. Robinson 1T
have served on juries I was one OF
the jury in the Smith-Rushton case in
Savannah back in the eighties which
was good bit more famous than tho
Frank case. Smith killed Rushton be-
cause OF the latter's associations with
Smiths wife, and we acquitted Smith.
Tt seemed to us. considering all the cir
cumstances, that that was the ideal in
the Thaw case"
did they know when you were
called as juryman in the Thaw case
dhat you had served In the Smith Rush
ton case"
HAD SERVED AS JUROR
IN OTHER MURDER CASES
Il told them had served as a Jury
man in murder cases in other States"
Then you went on the jury with
your mind made up that Thaw was
sane?"
Il was willing to hear the testimony
and SEQ what they had to offer"
IF Thaw should kill another man.
whether under the influence Of liquor
or not. would you. as "A juror. feel any
responsibility?
NO. 1 would consider Thaw in the
same basis as any man who kills under
CONTINUED on Third Page.)