Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1920-04-20
SAYS HUSBAND
RAN INTO KNIFE
Mrs. Gossett, in Dramatic
Story, Denies Stabbing Spouse

Mrs. Anna Mary Gossett today denied
In criminal cour: that she fatally stabbed
her husband, Omer J. Gossett, during a
quarrel early on the morning Of Dec. %.
1919. in their apartment in the Chalfant.
North Pennsylvania and Michigan
streets
In volcar which could be plainly
heard in the crowded courtroom, Mrs.
Gossett told OF her husband striking and
beating her the morning OF the tragedy
He cane to the bed aud struck me-"
she testified. "and became angry because
bad attended a theater without his per-
mission.
He plnched and struck me. then
grabbed me around the neck. saying he
would Kill me.
HE jumped from the bed and grabbed
a butcher knife that was near Christ
mas cake that my mother had sent US
for Christmas.
He rushed toward me and I jumped
up from the bed aud gave the knife a
push.
ut fell to the floor and we both tried
TO get it.
II wanted to get hold Of the knife so
I could throw II away.
AS rose from the floor lack ran di-
rectly into the kuife.
IL did not stab my husband; he ran
directly against the knife.
Then | saw the blood and he asked
me to help him remove his clothing"
testified AIRS. Gossett.
MOTHER AND SISTER
WEEP DURING STORY.
While Mrs Gossett related the tragedy,
many of the jurors were sitting on the
edge of their seats.
Mrs. Susanna Beck, aged mother Of
81. Ant.. ..F
the accused woman, cried softly.
Miss Beck has been constantly by the
side Of her sister during the trial, as has
Mrs. Beck, the mother.
Frieda, who is attending the fashion
able Hamilton college NJ Lexington, Ky,
told of the first marriage of Mrs. Gossett
to Clyde BERRY,
Mrs Beck. the mother. resides Mt Louis
Vile. Ky, and came 10 the aid of her
daughter Immediately following the trag-
ety.
Attaches Of the criminal court said
they never have heard a more dramatic
recital. told In such a simple and
Straightforward manner as was Mrs.
Gossett's story.
Mrs Gossett's denial that she stabbed
her husband makes the state rely more
than ever, on a purported confession Of
police headquarters before Gossett died
at the City hospital.
And why did you sign this so-called
confeSslonT" queried Lloyd Claycombe
ber attorney.
Because the detectives told me they
would not let me go to my husbands
bedside until I signed it," she repliea
With emotion.
HUSBAND ENACTED
PROMISE NOT TO TELL.
"Yes. l signed it after just glancins
at it,
"I signed 1t because I wanted to go
to the bedside of Jack" she said.
Mrs Gossett testified that her husband
on his deathbed made her promise not to
tell that he was stabbed in their apart
ments. but to maintain that holdup
man stabbed him while on the way home.
"Before the police and the doctor came
to the apartment" she testified, Jack
told me that ii was his fault and all the
time the police questioned him he held
my hand and | held his. as his eyes
seemed to say, Mary don't tell don't
tell"
Mrs. Gossett maintained that her hus-
band attempted to kill her once before |
with the same butcher knife before they |
moved to the apartment house where the
tragedy occurred.
During the three hours that Mrs. Cos
sett was on the stand she remained un-
shaken in the vital points of her story. I
After she had told her life story COZ
cernirg her first marriage to Clyde Berry, !
A motorcycle salesman of Louisville, Ky, |
and his death at Camp Taylor and her |
subsequent marriage to Jack Gossett, |
Mr. Claycombe put the question:
Mary do you still love Jack Cos
sett?"
Yes" she screamed as she lost con-
troll of herself.
Judge Collins instructed her faithful |
Mrs, Agnes Ward, matron at /
the county jail, TO escort Mrs. Gossett |
from the stand.
It was several mtAutes before quiet