Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1913-06-14
NOT GUILTY, PLEA
OF MRS. MOSER TO
CHARGE OF MURDER
Woman Accused of Killing Hus-
band to Be Assigned
Counsel.
CAN'T SPARE SITS CASH
FOR ENGAGING LAWYER
Will Use Money to Educate
Son, She Tells
Court.

Declaring that she had $275 in cash
In her possession. but that she pre-
ferred to keep it for the support of
her 4-year-old son, Frederick, rather
than spend it in counsel fees for her
defense, Mrs. Mabel Moser, under in
dictment for the murder of her hus-
band, Ferdinand C. Moser, on May 3
last, pleaded not guilty to the charge
III the Court of Oyer and Terminer
today before Chief Justice William
s. Gummere
Mrs. Moser, rather tall but a slen-
der looking woman, apparently about
80 years of age, was dressed in
mourning as she came into the court
room, escorted by the Misses Kelly
and Bell, female guards at the Court
House. She sat calmly in the court
room for fifteen minutes while Chief
Justice Gummere was handling other
matters and then when her name
was called stepped promptly to the
front of the courtroom.
Prosecutor Louis Hood read the in
dictment against her and asked hei
how she wished to plead.
Not guilty. she replied with a
loud, firm voice, with decided nod
of her head in negative way.
Are you represented by counsel?'
asked the chief justice.
Keeps Money for son.
NO, | am not" replied Mrs. Moser.
Have you means with which to
obtain one?" was the next question.
Il have s275 in cash." replied Mrs.
Noser, but l am retaining that for
the support of my child, and cannot
use ii to pay counsel"
In that case, counsel will have to
be furnished you,'' rejoined the chief
Justice, / will not at this time fix a
date for trial, and the matter of
counsel for you can also be taken up
at a later time
Mrs. Moser with her guards,
started from the courtroom and had
reached the door when the chief JUS
aice, who had been conversing in a
low tone with Prosecutor Hood,
called her back.
IF you will confer with Mr.. Hood
he will see that a proper order is
drawn, which you can sign, and
counsel win then be furnished you, >
Mrs. Moser was informed.
Mrs. Moser bowed her head to the
Justice and remarked Il thank you. :"
To Fight Release on Bail.
She was then taken to the elevator,
followed by Mr., Hood who held a
short consultation with her in the
prison room at the Court House, after
which she was taken back to jail, Mr..
Hood discussed the question of coun-
sci with Mrs. Moser and it is under
stood she did not express any prefer
ence as to who should be assigned for
Ter defense.
The question of bail being fixed for
her was not brought up at any time
and probably will not be until she has
made formal application to have
counsel appointed for her. Prosecutor
Hood said today that he would OPP
pose any application for the release
of Mrs. Moser on bail.
Il do not believe the case comes
within the homicide cases that are
ljudged to be bailable under our
laws. OF course, | cannot tell what
the court might do if an application
is made, but l most certainly shall
oppose 1t and very strongly"
Mrs. Moser, those who know her
we'll state, has aged a trifie in the
month she has been confined in Jail,
but as yet she does not show even
trace of the prison pallor that usually
marks the faces, of those in confine-
ment.