The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-03-27
District Attorney Unable to
Place Responsibility for
Death of Edwin L Bur-
dick.
The Inquiry Ends Without
Dramatic Climax, and In
terest Wanes Toward the
Last.

to the murder of Edwin l.. Burdick end
ed yesterday without having revealed
the Identity of the murderer in any
way that would warrant conviction in
a trial by jury. Testimony that would
create a public opinion is not always
evidence to convict. So as far as the
law is concerned. the inquest closes with
the mystery still yelled.
Justice Murphy has the testimony. but
he may not give his decision quickly.
Next Monday he will begin an inquest
whose purpose is TO determine whether
the Pencil automobile tragedy was ac-
cident or suicide. or suicide and muir
der. When that inquiry is out o the
way, the Burdick decision Will be hand
ed down, probably not before.
District Attorney Coatsworth had no
comment to make at the close of the in
quest. "All the testimony has been
made public" he said. "and all the in
formation We have has come out"
Burdick's Pastor Testifes.
The Burdick inquest ended without a
dramatic climax. None was expected
and there were seats apIenty in the 20
lice court. The Rev Levi NJ. Powers.
minister OF the Church OF the Mes
named Pennell "a the murderer. was the
first witness. The Burdicks attended
his church and he had several talks
with Mr. Burdick about domestic af-
fairs, and also spoke to Mrs. Hull on
the subject. Mrs. Hull told him that Mr.
Burdick would probably get his divorce
She thought her daughter would make
a mistake TO fight it, Burdick told him
-sn~-
inquest relative 20 the divorce action.
Q.-What question do you call to your
mind that has not been found out at
this inquest? Ale told me that when
the trouble first became acute in the
family. Mr.. Pennen had threatened 10
kill himself and that he had evidently
SO impressed the sincerity of his pur-
pose upon Mrs Burdick that she be-
lieved it. and at Mrs. Burdick's request
Mr.. Burdick had gone TO see Mr.. Pen
nell and told him not TO do it, but %
brace up and get out OF town and he
would let the whole thing go, and l
think he told me that be had a writ
ten agreement from Mr.. Pennell that
he would do that.
Odd he say anything 20 you about
the condition that existed since last De-
cember. when Mrs. Burdick went away
from his homer Al don't know just
what you mean by that He told me
about Mr.. Pencils forcing Mrs Bur
dick TO night the suit. He said when she
went away she had agreed not 10 do it,
and he did not blame her for the action
that was taken, because he knew that
] think he said when he saw her at the
Genesee later she told him that she did
not. that il was not her fault that the
suit was being contested
Purposed to Publish Letters.
Q.-Now. do you recall anything else
that he said TO you at that time, doctor
that you think has not already been
brought out at this inquest? A.-why,
] don't think that this fact has been
brought out: that he told me that II Mr.
Pennell continued to press the suit OF
contest the suit, that ne purposed to
make the letters which have been pub
lished public. and he impressed upon
my mind how very ridiculous il would
make Mr.. PenneI appear.
Odd he at that time show you any
of those JettersE A.-No: but he quoted
some OF the contents TO me-
Odd you urge him or request him
20 take Mrs. Burdick back home? A.
did on the first occasion; yes. sir.
Q--And what was his reply? A-Why
I don't know what he said in 50 many
words The general impression was that
he was not going TO do it, He did not
say in so many words what he would do.
After ! got home I wrote him a letter
There seemed to be some things that 1
had not said that occurred to me later.
and so l wrote him.
Odd he in either OF these CONVEX
sations tell you that he had already
given Mrs. Burdick plenty OF chances
10 DO what was right and that she had
not avsiled herself of that? Ayes. sir
Blamed Pennell
Ole told you at that time or I'm
one or both Of these conversations that
this was old thing and that although
Pencil had made many promises as to
what he would do. and that Mrs. Burdick
had made many promises as 10 what she
would do. they both broke their
promises Ayes. sir. / think he blam-
ed Pennell, though. a great deal more
than he did Mrs Burdick I know I was
trying 10 explain how 10 was possible
for woman in her position TO do as
she had done and ne said: Il can't ex-
plain Il. and II 1 can't / don't believe
you can"
Odd he on either OF those occasions
say 10 you in substance that he would
not take Mrs. Burdick back home
again Ale old not say so in SO
many words. but the general impress
sion was that there was not much like |
lihood that he would.
Mrs. Burdick's counsel wanted to !
know whether Burdick ever expressed |
fear OF PenneIl or indicated that Pen
nell had threatened him.
The Witness would not want to |
swear TO this statement but the i'm /
preston has been exceedingly strong in /
my mind ever since that interview that 4
: Mr.. Burdick said that Pencil told him /
that IL he did not let up on this suit j