On Monday, May 10, the coroner's jury issued its finding: that the submarine's officers and crew and the emperor of Germany had committed willful and wholesale murder. Half an hour later a message arrived from the Admiralty, ordering Horgan to block Turner from testifying. Horgan wrote, That august body were however as belated on this occasion as they had been in protecting the Lusitania against attack.
On May 10, the coroner's jury concluded that the officers and crew of the submarine, along with the German emperor, were guilty of intentional mass murder. This finding underscored the gravity of the events surrounding the Lusitania disaster, highlighting the accountability of those who carried out the attack. The jury’s decision revealed a stark judgment on the actions taken during the war, particularly in relation to the sinking of the passenger liner.
Soon after the jury's announcement, a directive from the Admiralty arrived, instructing Horgan to prevent Turner from providing testimony. Horgan criticized the Admiralty for their delayed and inadequate protective measures for the Lusitania, suggesting that their response to the tragedy was as insufficient as their previous actions. This situation emphasizes the political maneuvers at play and the struggle for accountability regarding civilian casualties in wartime scenarios.
