THE THAW CASE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 59, 3 April 1907, Page 4

THE THAW CASE.

STRANGE STORY OF A MYSTERIOUS FRENCHMAN. A Scandinavian, who says his name is James Morley, and that he has for five years been private secretary to Harry Thaw, entered the ollice of the "South Wales Echo" at Cardiil one day last month and told a strange story. Morley says Ithat Thaw, waii for a considerable time under the'hypnotic influence of a Frenchman, who had a grudge against White, the murdered man. "it was after I had been in Thaw's service for about three years," said Morley, "that one evening he brought in a Frenchman, a person ol about 38 or 40 years of age, to supper and cards. This Frenchman, who evidently had no money, eontinualiy came after that, and practically lived on Mr Thaw for the next two years. He and Thaw became very confidential, and the Frenchman used to hypnotise Thaw, doing it first of all, at any rate, for fun. I have seen the men sitting vis-a-vis, and then the Frenchman would look into his eyes, and make passes over his forehead. In this way he hypnotised Thaw, and I have seen the Latter when in this state do things that no man in his senses woula dream of doing. I know of two other persons living who have also witnessed it, and who can support my statement. "As time went on, as the result, doubtless, of having been hypnotised \o often," added Morley, "Thaw, seemed to be entirely in the Frenchman's hands. and the latter could do just as he liked with him. I used to take cheques to him two or three times a week." "I never saw White but once," saii Morley in reply |to (another question "as he never came to Thaw's house, but they used to meet at clubs."

••Did the Frenchman know) White'/" "Yes, lie did; at one time tliey were friendly, but later they quarrelled over an actress, and I know that after this the Frenchman had a very hitter fueling against White. I have heard him say so when conversing with. Thaw. Jiiu my wife has in her possession a letter from the Frenchman, addressed to White, containing conclusive evidence of the strong feeling entertained hy the former towards the murdered man." , '•And your suggestion is that tho Frenchman, with the olfject of being revenged on White, influenced Thaw by hypnotism to commit the murder?'' "Yes, that he used Thaw as h : s instrument of revenge, and 1 believe that if my evidence is placed before the Court it will secure Thaw's acquittal."