New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-09-30
Sheriff Failed to Notify Three
TaIeSmen, So Leehan Case
Is Postponed.
WOMAN IS HIS CHAMPION
Mrs. Jasper Lynch, Threatened,
She Says, by Influences
Directs Alleged Slayer's De-
fence-Interest Heated.
IBy Telegraph TO The Tribune. !

Toms River, ". j. Sept 29.-With a
Lakewood society leader, Mrs. Jasper
Lynch. financing and directing his de-
fence. even to the supervision Of court
room details. Joseph Moriarty, better
known as William J. Leehan, to-day faced
Justice Voorhees, in the Supreme Court in
what vas 10 be the beginning of trial
for his life. But the law made further de-
lay, TO the dissatisfaction Of both sides,
and the alleged slayer Of Mrs. Caroline
Turner-his innocence stoutly protested by
Mrs. Lynch-was held for the December
term of the court.
In impanelling the jury Sheriff Frank
Tilton had failed 10 serve notice upon
three Of the forty-eight whom II is man
datory, under the recently adopted jury
law, 10 summon for duty. Halsted H..
Waynewright, Of Moriarty's lawyers. was
forced to enter the objection in order to
make possible an appeal. should one be
desired.
All Lakewood and vicinity, worked up
20 fever heat over the trial and bitterly
taking sides, experienced keen disappoint-
ment in the postponement. The murder or
the gardeners wife on George Gould
Lakewood estate, Georgian Court more
than two years ago; the long mystery
that eliminated in the sensational arrest
OF Moriarty, or Leehan. last spring; the
dictagraph evidence on the strength of
which the stenographer was lured by a
detective from White Plains TO New Jer-
sey, where he could be arrested without
extradition proceedings; the prompt and
enthusiastic interest taken in his defence
by Mrs. Lynch. who was once his en-
ployer-all Of these features Of the case
served TO stir the Lakewood community 20
long continued excitement.
There was pathetic scene in the crowd
ed courtroom when Mrs. Moriarty tried
20 embrace Mrs. Lynch. her husbands
champion. She had spoken to her hus-
band. and. with tears in her eyes. walked
TO where Mrs. Lynch stood, surrounded
by her lawyers.
The states attorney, Harry z. Newman,
in opening the case to-day, stated that
the prisoners name was Joseph Mortar
", but that he had assumed the name
of William J. Leehan, upon being adopt
ed by an uncle of that name.
Mrs Jasper Lynch, in an interview
given a Tribune reporter following the
days proceedings. said that there is an
influence, partly political and partly per-
sonal which is being insistently eXerted
in an attempt 10 force her TO drop her
defence Of Moriarty. The efforts Of her
opponents, she asserts, have been made
from time TO time since she began per-
sonal investigation into the murder mys-
terry, and came with a change in the
political situation in Lakewood
These attacks" said Mrs Lynch,
have at times bordered on actual black
mail have been threatened with law
suits. and In other ways they have at
tempted to intimidate me into dropping
my defence of Leehan."
do YOU think that II is strictly a per-
sonal matter?" she was asked.
NO. ! do not" she answered. II be-
Ieve that any one else who tried 10 de-
fend Leehan would meet with the same
opposition"
at Is TO be inferred that you believe
this same Influence is seeking TO sacri-
fee Leehan in order TO hide the identity
Of some other person or persons?" was
asked her
Il won't say that" replied Mrs. Lynch
but 1 will say that I believe any at
tempt to find the actual slayer will be
met by the same force that is seeking e
drive me by threat from my participa-
ton in Leehan's defence"
She said to-day that her interest in the
accused man was in no way personal
and that she had only taken upon her
self the defence after she was convinced
that no one else would help the prisoner