The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1889-12-19


then it was Juror Culver, who had been
voting for acquittal for all the defendants
consented to comprymise. The othe
jurors were for hanging Burke, Cough,
lin and 0'Sullivan, while he was
for letting them all Off Mr.. Culver finally
| agreed to life sentence for three. The
| jury was practically unanimously on the
subject of Beggs' acquittal and but little
| time was needed to fix Kunze's term of
\ imprisonment.
What do YOU think of the verdict judge9"
asked an associate press reporter of Judge
Mcconnell, after the adjournment of the
court for the day.
"Judicially of course l can pass no
opinion upon the verdict, but as an indi-
vidual however and without being cogni-
zant of all the proceedings in the jury
room might say that think the verdict
Is the result probably of the objection of
some of the jurors to the death penalty on
ciroumstantial evidence"
"Mr. Culver probablyP"
mo, not MI. Culver necessarily"
II understand he was in favor of ac-
quittal from the start. 1t was only after
long and harassing deliberation that he
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 hanging of the three
principal defendants"
But the Jurors all swore, on being ex-
amined as to their competency, that they
had no conscientious scruples against
capital punishment Oh circumstantial evil
dence."
That is all true, but behind all that each
man probably had q mental reservation
that the evidence must be convincing be-
yond reasonable doubt. Now, if some of
those men should think there was even the
faintest shadow of doubt as to the guilt
of these three men, do you not see how
natural it would be for them to mentally
resolve to compromise with their con-
science no matter how conclusive their
Judgment might be by favoring life impris-
onment in lieu of the death penalty2 All
because the case was one of circumstantial
evidence"
A little before 4o clock an Associate Press
reporter visited the Jail and found the four
convicted defendants out in the corridor
with the other inmates, taking the usual
exercise before supper. Coughlin and
O'Sullivan we're together while Burke was
alone on the other side of the corridor.
The little German seemed to hold himself
apart from the other prisoners and re-
manned in his cell still refusing to be COM
forted in his misfortune. His confident
flippant demeanor has given way to
heavy gloom as he bemeaned his fate and
denounces the states attorney and the
jury. Coughlin and OSullivan were at
the entrance of the cage discussing the
case with a couple of members of Camp 20
who had called to offer their sympathy or
congratulations, who knows which? At
approach of the press representative they
quickly lapsed into silence and the visitors
departed.
A note was subsequently sent to Cough
lin and his companion requesting an inter-
view,- and they finally approached the
cage.
Coughlin very courteously, "but | do not
desire to be interviewed"
"What is your opinion of the verdict?"
81 am afraid shall have to refer you to
Mr. Forrest, my attorney, for an answer TO
that question"
"Are you disappointed at the verdictP'
"Well, suppose no man receives YER
dict of life imprisonment with any particu-
lar enthusiasm, said the ex-detective grim
lly; "but really, gentlemen, must decline
being interviewed. | am sorry l cannot
oblige you, but / think it improper that
should do so with anyone but my lawyer"
With this sentence Coughlin returned,
pleasantly bowling "a good-evening as he
went. 1t was evident to all that the pris-
oner was in good humor, very nearly ap-
preaching elation, and to Dan Coughlin
the verdict was source of self-congratula-
ClOn. Ills
during the past six months must have been
one of taciturnity and this evening a
bright smile illuminated his face and his
step was light and buoyant.
Martin Burke was found walking up and
down smoking cigar with the admiring
gaze of several young .prisoners fixed on
him. Burke seemed entirely composed
as he greeted the Associated Press report
ers.
"Well, Burke, what do you think of it2'
"Oh am not saying word," said the
young Irishman in his brogue. The Chi
cago papers have had enough TO say about
me already and don't want to give them
any excuse for any more"
All efforts to extract any comments from
Burke on the verdict were vain. AS far as
can be judged from his general appearance
and composure 1t can be safely surmised
that Mr.. Burke has frequently shaken
hands with himself since 2:30 p. m, at
which hour the Jury fixed his punishment
at life Imprisonment and not at death, as
was generally expected.
While getting their pay certificates, the
twelve Jurors were surrounded by reporters
who besieged them for information about
what had transpired in the jury room and
the cause of the long delay.
"Its no use," said Juror Marlor. 1--WE
agreed not to say anything. Our verdict
speaks for itself. From what | haye heard
since / got back to the world again, there
has been some pretty tall lying in the news
paper world. Juror Culver was not the
cause of the delay, and there was not any
knockdown, as one paper has declared"