, 1889-12-19
JUDGE AND PRIsoNEns.
They Are Interviewed ON the verdict
by q koporter.


"What do you think of the verdict,
judge" asked an Associated Press re-
preventative of Judge Mcconnell after
the adjournment OF the court for the day.
"Judicially, of course, can pass no
opinion upon the verdict. AS an in
dividual, however, and without being
cognizant of all the proceedings in the
jury room, | might say that | think the
verdict is the result of the objection of
some of the jurors to the death penalty
on circumstantial evidence"
"Mr. Culver, probably2'
mo, not Mr.. Culver, necessarily.
understand that he was in favor of nc
quittal from the start. 1t was only after
long and harassing delibcration that
he originally agreed with the rest upon
this verdict. You will probably find that
Mr. Culver was not the only man upon
the jury who was opposed to the hang
ing of the three principal defendants"
"But the jurors all sworo, on being
examined as to their competence, that
they had no conscientious scruples
against capital punishment on circum-
stantial evidence"
THAT Is all true, but behind all this
each man probably had a mental reser-
vation that the evidence must be con-
vincing beyond reasonable doubt.
Now If some of these men should think
there was even the faintcst shadow as to
the guilt of these three men, do you not
see how natural IL would be for them to
mentally compromise the matter with
their consciences, no matter how con-
elusive their judgment might be, by fa-
voriny life imprisonment In lieu OF the
death, penalty, all because the case was
one OF circumstantial evidence?"
~ believe you feel relieved at there
uot being disagreement"
~ do, assuredly, although If tho Jury
had disagreed and IL became necessary
to try the case again, / ghould not have
fiinched from presiding over the sanie
case again"
THE PRISONERS INTERVIEWER.
About 4 o'clock an Associated Press
representative went to the jail and found
the four con nvicted defendants out In the
corridor with the other inmates, taking
their usual exercise before supper.
kunze seemed to hold himself apart
from the other prisoners, and remained
in his cell, refusing to be comforted In
his misfortune.
Coughlin and O'sullivan were at the
entrance of the cage, discussing the case
with couple of members of Camp 20
or congratulations. Who knew whichS
At the approach OF the press represents.
tive they quietly lapsed into silence and
the visitors departed.
A note was subsequently sent to
Coughlin and his companions, request
ing an Interview and they finally ap.
pf6ached, ~ am sorry to disappoint
you," said Coughlin very oourteously,
"but do not desire to be interviewed"
But what is your opinion OF the ver-
~ arm afraid shall have to refor you
to Mr.. Forrest, my attorney, for an an
dict "AE' y you disappointed at the YER
''Well, I suppose 20 man regards q
verdict Of life imprisonment with any
particular enthusiasm" said the ex-de-
tective, grimly, "hat really, gentlemen,
l must decline to be interviewed" and
with this sentence Conghlin retired
pleasantly bowling good evening as he
went
were not very far from elation and that
TO Dan Coughlin at least the verdict
was source of eelf-congratulation
His habftual mood during the confine-
ment Of the past six months has been
one of taciturnity, but this evening O
bright smile illumined his face and his
stop was light and buoyant.
Martin Burke was found walking up
and down, smoking cigar. He
seemed entirely composed and good
natured as he greeted the Associated
Press reporter.
"Well, Burke what do you think
"oh, am not saying word" said