Lewis Powell's Personal Effects

[BettyO]

(07-23-2012 07:22 AM)Gene C Wrote:  I thought Powell's personal effects were taken when he was arrested. As for his bible, don't know how he could read it with the hood on. Maybe just having one was of some comfort, whether he had the opportunity to read it or not. Or, was it really Gillette's bible that he let Powell borrow and read with him on Powell's last day?

Powell's effects were taken away (with the exception of one item which was given back to Powell in order to comfort him until the trial commenced) at the time of his arrest; supposedly they were remanded to the care of Eckert for some reason. They were then given to the court as "evidence". The Bibles were given to the prisoners at the insistence of Dr. Porter once the trial got underway. Porter also stated in mid-June that because he felt that the prisoners were going mad under the hoods that they be given time to exercise in the yard and that they also be allowed to read for a bit each day. This is obviously where Powell got the Bible. According to Gillette, Powell had written his name on the flyleaf. Powell gave it to Gillette to sent to his parents. I'm just confused as to why Hartranft didn't list Powell's effects. Since the relatives of all three of the other conspirators were actually there on the 6th and 7th you would think that Hartranft would have given the effects to them at that time....