New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-09-19
MRS. GIBSON RETAINS
LAWYER FOR HUSBAND
Will Defend Szabo Case Before
Surrogate, and Help Pick
Counsel for Murder Trial.
TO CONFER AT JAIL TO-DAY
Facts Brought Out In Either
Court May Be Used In the
Other --- Gibson Made
Threats, Witness Says.

In dlvulgne yesterday the first step he
VIII take IN defending himself against The
murder charge brought against MIN as
the result of the death Of Mrs, Rosa
Szsbo Burton W. Gibson the accused
lawyer showed that he plainly cons'd-
cred himself ~ being somewhat between
'1Ne devil End the deep sea- In the mass
OF legal and criminal complications into
which his dealings with his clients had
brought him The plan Of action by which
ne hores 10 pass safely between the
scylla # the murder charge on one hand
aud the Charybds of the civil suit brought
against him on the other, was outlined
yesterday by Charles Godzler Of No 1l5
Broadway, who has undertaken 10 repre-
sent him IN the civil action.
Before any move Is made in the STR
rogate's Court by Gibson In contesting
the suit brought by the Austrian Con-
sulste 10 Dust him as executor or MS
szabo's will" said Mr. Goldzier ut VIII
be absolutely necessary that he select
counsel TO defend him against the murder
charge, and that his defence in the Sur
rogates Court be conducted IN full con-
ference with that counsel. We know that
whatever is brought out before the euf-
rogate will be used against him In the
prosecution Of the murder charge.
"On the other hand, everything must De
brought before the Surrogate which VIII
assist Mr.. Gibson in upholding his case.
Just what we Will do before the SuTo-
gate ] cannot say now, but at present we
make general denial Of al the charges
of misconduct that have been brought
against Mr. Gibson. both In the courts
and in the newspapers
Mr.. Goldzier said he would go TO
Goshen this morning TO consult with Obj
son in jail there, and at that conference
the lawyer to defend him in the murder
case would be chosen.
Since Surrogate Fowler has ordered
Gibson TO tell him confidentially, through
his counsel on Friday morning just what
he has zone with the SlOO belonging 10
Mrs Szabo's estate. which he is known
10 have withdrawn from the banks where
she left IT. Mr.. Godzier said that the pre-
liminary plan of campaign would be de-
oided between himself and Gibson's add
ticnal counsel to-day
Mrs. Gibson Retains Lawyer.
Mr.. Goldzier undertook the defence OF
Gibson at the request Of Mrs. Gibson, his
former associates in law having deserted
him. Mrs. Gibson herself was extremely
busy yesterday doing what she could TO
help her husband. 1t was said her chief
endeavor was in raising funds for his
defence.
n
his behalf in this city. additional dam
aging evidence against Gibson was adj
duced at the inquest held yesterday by
Coroner Houghton In Jersey City on the
death of Mrs. Szabo. This inquest was
brought about by the fact that II vas In
Coroner Houghton's jurisdiction that the
body was exhumed and the autopsy held
which brought forth the declaration Of
experts that the woman had met death
from strsngulatiOn and not drowning.
The most important witness was George
Teichman an intimate friend OF Mrs.
Szabo
When asked whether Mrs. szabo had
ever indicated that she was afraid OF
Gibson. Teichman unhesitating declared
that she had done so very plainly.
Yes" he said "she was afraid Of him.
She showed it by her actions on several
occasions
did he (Gibson) ever make any threats
against her?' he was asked.
Yes. upon several occasions" the wit
ness replied, and when asked TO give rea-
sons why he made these threats he said:
We'll, she never told me why, but I'M
derstood from several conversations that
he had threatened her because she re-
fused TO lend him money. ] cannot recall
the exact instance, bu' / know he asked
her to loan him $500 at 6 per cent. and
when she refused him he threatened her."
What did be threaten TO dor he was
asked.
AT this point Mr.. Teichmsn hesitated,
and finally said that he had additional
Very important testimony which he
thought best not to divulge until he was
asked for it by District Attorney Rogers
Of Orange County, who is prosecuting the
murder charge against Gibson. Coroner
Houghton did not press the witness fur
ther. The coroner then called Mrs. Stern
TO the stand.
Felt Mrs. Szabo Was Dead"
Mr.. Gibson came to me" she said. "He
was nervous and excited. and said could
have all of Mrs. Szabo's things which
were left in the house for S. These in
cluded things / knew she wouldn't part
with for her life such as her pets, but
he said she was going TO Chicago and
had decided not to take them. He said
nothing Of her being dead. But / felt
that Mrs SZahO was dead and I said 70
my husband: J think that man has muir
dered that woman. and that her body Is
In one Of those trunks of hers that he
had shipped to New Jersey
Mrs. Stern then told how another neigh
Dor had told her that Mrs. Szabo had re-
lated to her that she had been boating
with Gibson on Greenwood Lake. and the
boat had tipped over and she would have
been drowned that time had the water
been deeper. The hearing was adjourned