Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1915-07-16
Supreme Justice Hendrick
Upholds Sanity Verdict
Of Trial Jury.
STATE KEEPS UP FIGHT
Next Move Is to Have Order
of Commitment to Matte
avian Asylum Vacated.

New York, July t6,-Harry X. Thaw.
adjudged sane last Wednesday by a
jury, was given his freedom today by
Superior Court Justice Peter A. Hem
drick, who announced that he had
adopted the jury's verdict.
The state Immediately served no.
tice Of appeal and Justice Hendrick
fixed Thaw's bail at s35,OOO to insure
his presence at future proceedings. A
surety company was prepared to give
the bond and Thaw was taken from
the court house to the judges cham
bers so that details might be arranged.
In announcing his agreement with
the verdict Of the jury Justice Hem
drick said: Il adopt the jury's YER
dict" The next matter before the
court was the motion made yesterday
by John 3, Stanchfeld, chief of Thaw's
counsel, to declare vacant the com
mitment OF Justice Dowling under
which Thaw was sent 70 the Mattea-
wan asylum in 1908, after he had been
acquitted, on the grounds of insanity,
of the murder OF Stanford White,
June %, 1906
Counsel for the state, however, i'm
mediataly began an argument on APP
peal
Hundreds who lined the sidewalks
and overdowed into the streets around
the court house cheered Thaw and ap-
plauded when he appeared on the court
house steps.
Alienists Are Scored.
In announcing his decision Justice
Hendrick commented unfayorably on
the action Of alienists who had assist
ed the state in preparing the case and
then appeared as expert witnesses in
court. He said he hoped the state leg
islature would remedy conditions that
made this possible.
Il have reached a decision IN this
case" Justice Hendrick said, "and it is
based on my own mind, fortified by the
action Of the jury"
Thaw, sitting comfortably in his
chair, showed his pleasure and an
ticipated the courts decision with a
J
Gentlemen. ! have adopted the YER
dict Of the jury. declare now that it
Is the decision Of this court that Harry
K Thaw is sane"
Edgar Bromberger Of the group Of
lawyers appearing for the state gave
notice Of appeal. Justice Hsndrick de-
cided that the states notice Of appeal
automatically acted as a stay. Thaw's
counsel, J. B. Stanchield, then moved
that he be given liberty under bond.
This motion was opposed by the
state. Mr Bromberger told the court
that he considered Thaw insane and q
danger to the community Mr. Stanch-
field replied that Thaw had been ad-
Judged sane and that 10 deny him bail
would virtually nullify the courts de-
cision until the appeal was decided.
The bond, which was furnished by a
surety company, differed from the ordi-
nary bond, inasmuch as 1t assured
Thaws obedience to any mandate of
the court until final disposition of the
appeal The agent of the surety COM
pany said that the Thaw family had
deposited with the company negotiable
securities valued at $4,000
Cheered Along Broadway.
AS soon as the bond was signed
Thaw emerged from the building in
which the sheriff's Office and the cham
bers Of Justice Hendrtck are located
and entered an automobile. He was ac-
companied by a detective and his Sec
retary. The machine, followed by six
cars containing reporters and photog-
raphers. moved a block across town
into Broadway and then started down
town toward the Office Of Thaw's at
CONTINUED on Page Eighty