New-York tribune., 1891-04-25
A .JURYS PECULIAR VERDICT
DERRINGER EXoNERATED BY IT. BUT HELD
BY THE CORONER.
THE EVIDENCE AGAINST HIM WAS STRONG
AND CORONER LEVY REFUSED TO

AND CORONER LEVY REFUSED TO
RELEASE HIM.
The Derringer inquest was resumed yesterday
afternoon before Coroner Levy and crowd of
witnesses. A great deal Of public interest has
centred in this case, and Deputy-COroner Con-
ways connection with it does not tend to lessen
this interest The iurys verdict was also ono of
the most startling features of the trial To the
surprise of all who heard the evidence in the
case, the jurymen returned verdict generating
the husband Philip Derringer from all blame, and
finding that the wife had met with an accidental
DEATH This verdict Coroner Levy considered 50
manifestly contrary to what the evidence in the
case warranted that he refused to be guided by
the verdict, and committed the prisoner TO the
Tombs TO await the action of the Grand Jury.
lie also reproved the jury for their hasty and
apparently unwarranted verdict
The inquest opened with George Faug. a broth
E-n-law of the dead woman, on the stand. He
said he had visited tile DeTringer fiat on the
morning of the wife's death. lie had seen her
stretched out upon her bed, with blood-covered
lips. and clothes which bore the STAN of blood.
Mrs. Ellen Reynolds, who is an aunt of Mrs.
Dernnger, said When first called 10 look upon
the remains of my niece l cried OFT. What have
you murdered her for' You have killed Katie
and he answered. For Gods sake keep quiet until
she buried and then YOU can do what you liI,e'
MEs. Margaret Nolte, sister of the dead woman,
also reproachcd the husband in like manner.
Mrs. Catharine GuntEeT, the undertaker's as
hstant, who had prepared the body for the grave,
nade good witness for the defence, testilylng
.nat she had found only small marks of violence.
Inc medical evidence was introduced, DR.. VIII
IAN u Hoyt testifying that the woman had died
VI hemorrhage Of the brain, caused by some
dow, accidental or at the hands of her husband.
ine only evidence which he had found that the
woman had been victim Of drink was the ad-
.anced stage of decomposition which the body
nSa reached so soon after death. This concluded
0e evidence and the jury retired.
IN an incredibly short time the jury returned,
sho one Of them, Christopher Welker, exclaimed,
We find she died from natural cause" The
'Ofoner was not prepared for this. He had not
se' asked for the verdict, and he expressed his
surprise in no mild form. You have decided on
svs sIts verdict without any deliberation,' he said
% Iou Will retire and so over the evidence IN INC
oei you did not have time TO organize lIhs Is
Ten verdict
The jury again retired. The prisoner looked
hSapPy His friends greeted him with kisses ana
nnTnhoshaking. and his little daughter Lena was
..JG"ed 70 climb up in her fathers lap nc
,asher kissed his child again and again while
"srs a trlckled down his cheeks.
o.. Inc jury soon returned with the same VeroIcII
'" 9elofe Mrs. Derringer died of natural causes.
Soioner Levys surprise was greater than ever;
IdOm The evidence in the case, he said, the Grand
nly should investigate into the cause OF MIS-.
bp"eiL5nnger's death II was within his province u
70 bo'a lhe prisoner. He held his office, he saiu
see that Justice was administered, and he
,houa s commit the prisoner to await the action OF
tbe uand ufand Jury The jury did not like TINS anu anu
,s. PS,lsoners countenance fell, but Coroner Levy
W." urn In the position he had taken.