Lewis Powell: The conspirator who was "different."

[LincolnMan]

Betty: forgive me for looking in this book (perhaps), but I thought I see what Otto Eisenschiml had to say about Powell in his book Why Was Lincoln Murdered? I have reproduced in bold lettering a couple words that stood out for me as "problematic"-tell me if you think I'm correct please. On page 250, he wrote the following:

"Lewis Paine, who had attempted the life of Secretary Seward and who had almost massacred his household, cheerfully admitted his complicity. This young giant with the defiant eyes offered no defense and expected to walk to the gallows with his head erect and a joke on his lips....But to the prison guards he was a hero, and they showed him what little favors they could under the circumstances."


Is it just me Betty? Am I reading too much into this?