Investigation Just Begun, Says Detective Lanford Friday, May 9th, 1913

The detectives working on the Phagan case expressed general satisfaction Friday morning with the coroner's jury's findings. But Chief of Detectives Lanford made clear that as far as his department is concerned, the work is only now finding its footing.

"We are going to continue right on with the investigation," Lanford said, "and try to dig down to the truth of this matter."

He acknowledged that his men have developed a theory as to who committed the crime, but said they remain open to revising it. "We are ready to change it if we can possibly unearth any evidence which will prove that theory wrong. We are going to make an impartial investigation and we are not going to leave anything undone which might tend towards the solution of the mystery."

With the pressure of the inquest now lifted, Lanford said his investigators would be able to work more methodically. "My men will not be so pushed for time now and they can make systematic and deliberate investigation of every point of importance in the case. They have much hard work before them. Even if nothing new develops, we have enough work outlined to keep half a dozen men busy for the next week."

Detectives Campbell, Starnes, Black, Bullard, and Bass Rosser, all of whom have been on the case since its early days, remain assigned to the investigation.