The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1909-05-17
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Mrs. Martin Kvalshaug to Deny Plot to
Kill Her Husband--Line of Defense
Intimated By Attorney Wife Of MUIR
dered Man and Paramour Arraigned
in Court Today

Mrs. Martin Kvalshaug, ac-
cused of completely with
Charles f. Newcomb in the
murder of her husband, Mar
tin Kvalshaug, which oc-
Cured last Friday night,
probably will repudiate her
alleged confession to the po-
lice and newspaper report
ers. Such is the statement
made this morning by Attor-
ney Otis Johnson, who has
been retained as counsel by
her. He says she will cling
to her original story that she
had no share in the crime
and did not see the murderer.
"Mrs. Kvalshaug says the police
forced all later statements from
her by intimidation and coercion"
Attorney Johnson declared, "and
that her alleged story as published
in the newspapers is false. She
did make statements to the re-
porters, but she was misquoted
and her statements miscon
strued." Mr.. Johnson refused to
say whether this would be the ex-
act ground on which the defense
would be based, but intimated
that it would. Continuing, he said:
Not Near Husband.
''She still says she was at least
200 feet away from her husband
at the time the shots were fired,
and that when she hurried back
she saw no one save the dying
man on the ground. She was too
nearly prostrated by the horror
of the scene to think of anything
at that time, but when she had re-
turned to the George Dilley home
and recovered slightly from the
shock she recalled that Charles
against Kvalshaug on several oc-
casions. She thought he was only
'bluffing' at the time he made
them. But these threats were the
first things that came to her mind
on the night of the murder. That
is why his name was one of the
first she mentioned to the police"
Arraigned Today.
Newcomb and Mrs. Kvalshaug
were arraigned before Superior
Judge Easterday this morning on
the charge of murder in the first
degree. Newcomb, who at that
hour had not procured legal coun-
sci, was given two days time to
secure an attorney and determine
upon a plea.
The woman entered no plea and
will be given at least two days,
possibly longer, to decide on her
course of procedure. Upon her
arraignment the attorney advised
her to plead not guilty, stating
that then he would file motion
of demurrer to the complaint.
The court informed him, however,
the demurrer must be filed and
passed on before her plea could
be entered. This move may re-
suit in an amended complaint, and
may possibly delay the woman's
plea several days.
Woman Well Composed.
Although Newcomb and Mrs.
Kvalshaug were named jointly in
the complaint, they were arraign-
ed separately, the woman being
led into court first. She display
ed remarkable composure during
the brief ordeal. Her answers to
the few simple questions were
given in calm, dispassionate
voice, low, yet distinct, In a man
ner apparently untouched by a
terrifying conscience or dread fear
of the fate that might be await.
ing her. No trembling lips, no
restless, nervous movement Of
hands or body to betray the least
unusual interest in the proceed
ing. Her dress, her toilet and her
coiffure had all been perfectly
made, evidently with care and
even with a faint hint of pride.
Her eyes were hidden behind spec
tacles. Despite her bearing she
showed that the strain of the last
forty-eight hours had worn on
her.
Newcomb Nervous.
Newcomb, ON the contrary, was
visibly nervous and excited. His
answers were given firmly but
very rapidly and all his move
ments were quick, Hike those OF a
man whose nerves were gaining
the ascendency.
Attorney Moses McElroy claims
to have been retained sby Mrs.
Newcomb as her husband's coun-l
sci. but the accused man, when
asked in court II he had attorneys
replied In the negative and said
he was considering another frm.
that Of Garretson q George.
TAKEN to County Jail.
Beth Newcomb and Mrs Kval-|
shaun were removed to the county
ldoatin,1od on pneo UiRht.1