The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-03-28
PATRICK WAS SURPRISED
HE SAYS WITNESSES AND JURORS
WE'RE BRIBED OR INFLUENCED.
Confident the Verdict VIII Not Stand
When His Case Is Appealed to
Higher Court.

NEW YORK, March 27-Albert T. Pat
rick who was convicted last night of the
murder OF William NJ Rice, had a cOnsuta-
tion to-day with his father, Colonel Pat
rick, and his counsel from Chicago, Mr.
Turner. Patrick retained his composure
throughout the conference and conversed
cordially with his father and counsel.
In discussing his case Patrick said: mo
one n the courtroom was more surprised
at that verdict than myself. AS a lawyer
do not see how. upon the testimony given,
the verdict could have been found 1 do not
believe. had Recorder Goff and Assistant
District Attorney Osborne known what eff
feet their addresses would have on the
jury. they would have made them in The
terms they did"
Patrick discussed the handwriting testi-
mony and the testimony which was ex-
cluded concerning the actions of Rice when
he made the will. He spoke also of the tes-
timony, which, he said. would have been
given in his favor by Schepfel, who was the
dead millionaire's friend for fifteen wears.
and also the testimony offered by Adams
regarding Rice's views on cremation.
Speaking of the handwriting testimony Pat
rick said the signatures to the four dis
puted checks varied only in the same way
as the signatures to any similar number of
papers would vary. He said that only an
expert could detect that difference Con-
cerning other evidence the convicted man
said: How can the declaration and deter
mination of a dead man be arrived at ex-
cept by testimony of a third party? 1t is
done every day in the Surrogate's court"
After expressing the belief that both the
recorder and Assistant District Attorney
osborne were aStonished at the verdict,
Patrick said: II believe the jury TO be COM
posed of honest men. l have no reason TO
believe otherwise. / practically selected the
jury myself, but this l do know: Every
witness. every one connected with me who
could be bribed. cajOled or influenced was
approached and IL influence could possibly
be used on any member OF the jury / be-
lieve 1t was used. Now. do not believe for
a moment that this verdict will stand Ii
will go to the Court OF Appeals. where the
questions of law and fact will be passed
on"
Patrick said further that there was no
action on his part that he regretted; not
one thing that he would not do over again.
Asked IL he would go on the stand in the
event OF a new trial. Patrick said he was in
his lawyers hands, and would do what
ever they directed.
District Attorney Jerome was asked what
he intended TO do with Charles r Jones.
who was Rices clerk and attendant and
who testified that he killed Rice at Pat
ricks request Mr.. Jerome replied: cit is
frequently necessary 10 allow men mani
festly guilty 10 go free. In this case we
never could have got a conviction without
Joness testimony. and I'm such cases IN is
often we'll 10 grant the witness Immunity.
| cannot gay definitely just what this office
will do, but, as / said Jones's Testimony
convicted Patrick and II might be very
inexpedient 10 prosecute. In some cases
valet gave we could not bring 10 justice
the really guilty persons.