Evening star., 1936-11-21
| AM NOT KILLER
DENHARDT SAYS
Declares Evidence Showed
He Did Not Shoot His
Fiancee-BaiI Denied.
By the Associated Press.


LOUISVILLE, KY, November 21.-
Brig Gen. Henry H. Denhardt, a pris-
oner in the county jail on a charge
of numbering his fiancee, Verna Carr
Taylor, asserted today Il am not a
killer" in an interview granted the
Louisville Times
The former Lieutenant Governor
and adjutant general of Kentucky de-
clared that testimony presented by the
Commonwealth at the examining trial
in New Castle yesterday. at which he
was held without bail to the grand
jury, showed that l could not have
fired the shot that caused her death"
Downcast and worried, Kentucky's
colorful soldier-politician appeared re-
signed to confinement. His counsel
said there was no immediate prospect
of efforts to obtain his freedom by
habeaS corpus proceedings.
Referring to the testimony of George
Baker, farmer. at the New Castle
hearing, Gen. Denhardt said: MFR.
Baker, an honest. truthful man. said
I was in his presence when he heard
the second shot flred-the one that
took her life. He told that to every
one that night (the night of the
tragedy. November g. and he has re-
peatedly said the same truth and told
it in court yesterday"
Barber Cited as Witness.
Denhardt declared that J. B. Humid
ley, La Grange barber, who found the
attractive widows body, heard Baker
say that I couldn't have killed her
because I was with him at his gate
way when the shot was fired
Il had no purpose, no intention OF
killing hef," the general said, adding,
"I wouldn't have had 1t happen for
anything in the world"
Denhardt is in Jefferson County
Jail, held without bond to await ac-
ton of the Henry County grand jury.
Rodes K. Myers, who argued In vain
before Henry County Judge A. S. Nor
gan at New Castle yesterday that the
Commemorative evidence at the ex-
amlning trial was insufficient to hold
the veteran of three wars, said there
was no immediate prospect of an ap-
plication for writ. Beckham Over
street, of defense counsel also said no
further court moves were being con-
sidered for the time being.
The former adjutant general and
Lieutenant Governor of Kentucky, who
was cited for service on the st. Mihiel
front in the World War, rested COM
fortably last night in cell block 1-B
of the county Jail. Jail attendants
said the prisoner slept we'll" Since
his arrest on a murder warrant No
vember Is, Gen. Denhardt had been
under the care of physician at
friends home here.
Accustomed to positions of honor
in the past at State functions, the tall,
portly, dignified general dejectedly
walked into the lookup here last night.
He must remain there under Judge
Morgan's order until the Henry County
grand jury at New Castle acts on his
case The grand jury opens its next
regular session January 18.
Judge Morgan declined to renew the
$4,000 bond on which Denhardt had
been free since his arrest last week,
and ordered him committed to the
Louisville Jail because the New Castle
Jail, he said, docs not furnish facil-
tiles for proper safe-keeping Of the
defendant
He cited danger or probable
danger" that the general might be
rescued therefrom by violence" from
the Henry County Jail, which he
described as insecure"
Prosecution attorneys objected to
the judges remarks, declaring the
defense might use it as basis for
seeking a change of venue should the
60-year-old general be indicted by
the grand jury which convenes IN
January.
Denhardt was brought here from |
New Castle by Sheriff Evan Harrod |
and coterie of officers and turned |
over to Deputy Jailer E. ]. Columbus,
who said he would be treated like |
any other prisoner, with no excep- |
tions shown either for or against |
him."
Denhardt appeared downcast as he |
walked into the jail, but before start |
ing through the customary routine of |
prisoner, shook hands with Harrod |
and bid the officers goodnight"
The officers said on the trip from |
New Castle he chatted pleasantly of |
farming, the weather and his expert |
ences. while leading the Kentucky |
National Guard as adjutant general,
post he held after serving a term
as Lieutenant Governor.