Page:The Great Harry Thaw Case.djvu/78

 *ably saved your life,' I ask you, sir, upon your judgment as an expert, whether you are able to give an opinion touching on the sanity of the man who made that answer?"

"I can," said Dr. Wiley.

"Will you express that opinion?"

"I believe that that man"

District Attorney Jerome objected.

"You must not state a belief," said Mr. Jerome, "that is not evidence. You must give an opinion."

"My opinion," said Dr. Wiley, "is that the man who committed the act described was suffering from insanity."

Other striking assertions from Dr. Wiley's testimony were:

"The act of Harry K. Thaw was that of an insane man.

"The remark Thaw made to his wife after the tragedy, 'I have probably saved your life,' is an indication of an insane delusion.

"I have examined 800 people as to their sanity, and should know the prisoner's condition.

"When I examined Harry in the Tombs prison after the murder his actions were irrational."

Dr. Wiley was on the stand for the defense all the first day, and at the opening of the second day a sensation came when Mr. Delmas took the helm of the defense, and called Benjamin Bowman as the second witness. Jerome had refused to allow Bowman to tes