The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1903-04-15
VERDICT IN BURD|CK CASE
Judge Murphy Virtually Accuses
Arthur R. Pennell.
he HAD MOTIVE FOR MURDER

The Verdict softeneL Somewhat BY Say
ing PennsII, II Alive, Should DO Pre-
sumed Innocent Until Proved Guilty.
Mrs. Hull aud Mes. Burdick Blamed
BY Judse-An Others Exonsrated.
Buffalo. n. Y.-Pcl.ce Judge Thomas
Murphy handed down his decision In
the Burdick murder inquest. While
stating that the inquest had failed to
prove the identity o. the murderer the
decision in referring 10 Arthur r. Pen
nell declared:
Altogether the facts would In my
opinion constitute just ground for sus-
plcion on which a warran could be Is
sued were he alive
The evidence against Pennell was
summed up by Judge Murphy as fol-
lows:
.Where Is the motive for this awful
crime?
"Mrs. Burlick loved Pennell and he
apparently became infatuated with
her. A few years ago Burdick learned
the truth. A separation ensued. Be
cause Of love for his children. however.
he took back his wife at that time and
forgave the author OK his wrong upon
his promise to leave Buffalo. This
promise and the promise which Mrs.
Rurtlick made to her husband were
shamelessly broken. Mr.. Burdick
finally told her that she must leave bis
house.
This was In tile carly days Of last
December, and Immediately thereafter
be applied for q divorce. She was con-
strained to defend the suit by Pencil
and issue would he joined In q very
short time. Burdick had. which fact
was known to Pencil. batch Of let
Iers written by Pennell to Mrs. Bur-
dick of such q gushing. l0vesick. i'm
portuning nature that their publication
meant complete humiliation and social
ruin to their author. His, Of all 9TH
era. was the motive strong enough to
incite desperate mind already STEPPED
In wrongdoing to 30 foul and cruel q
murder.
aDid he do II? He returned from the
dead mans wife the day before the
murder. He was here that night. He
was very Yuch excited the next morn
ing. and purchased revolver. In one
OF his letters to Mrs. Burdick there In
an express threat that he would kill
her husband. The cashier and the bar
tender Of New York hotel have testi-
fed that he said he would kill q certain
man. His wife had written Burdick q
warning letter. Altogether these facts
would. IN my opinion, constitute Just
ground for suspicion on which war.
rant could be issued were he alive.
THAT would not mean, however, that
he was guilty. He can never be placed
ON trial here. nor can his rase ever be
tudicially determined. Let rs be fair.
then, TO the dead as the law presumes
us to be to the living. He must be pre-
sumed innocent until proved guilty"
Regarding Burdick the decision had
this to say:
.sThe theory that Buriick had a
woman guest in his dem that night has
not been sustained by the evidence. II
has not disclosed q single immoral act
on his part. 1t portreys him as a low
ing father and q more than maSnani.
mons and forgiving husband"
Mrs. Paine and Miss Marion Hutch
inson, whose names have figured In the
investigation. are exonerated In the
opinion.
Regarding Mrs. Hull and Mrs. Bur-
dick. Judge Murphy wrote:
"The actions Of Mrs. Hull on that
morning are inconsistent with per-
feet want Of knowledge OF what had
actually occurred. 50 little apparent
feeling for the dead man. such an evi-
dent desire to cover up the crime and
no disposition whatever to aid the au-
thorities may be explainable, but has
not been explained. The opening OF
the window from the inside would in
dscate q desire on the part Of some one
10 give this crime the appearance Of n
burglars work. II n our duty to cen
sure Mrs. Burdick. but great rs her
wrong has been. great is her punish
ment." , 49,.
While friends Of PenDell criticise
Judge Murphy's findings. the verdict
has met with the warmest approval or
disinterested citizens generally. The
police say that they will continue to
search for further evidence. District
Attorney Coatsworth said:
Judge Murphy's findings are well
borne out by the testimony. VIII not
present the evidence to the Grand