New-York tribune., 1921-02-24
Murder Trial
portia Makes
Plea to Jury
Mrs. Augusta E. Maley Calls
for Fair Consideration of
Evidence in Opening De-
fence for Alleged Slayer
Expects to Acquit Accused
Hackensack Courtroo mn
Scene Shows First Woman
Defending Capital Case
From q stag Correspondent

dfc}5 q say Correspondent
HACKENSACK, N. j., Feb. 23.-Mrs.
Augusta E. Maley, counsel for sthe de-
Tense in the trial of William Gleason,
charged with completely in the murder
of Policeman John Ritter at Ridgefield
Park last September, went into action
to-day and came out with flying colors
II was her first active participation
in the actual trial, and she carried
things of as modestly~ and easily as if
murder trial were an everyday occur
renee in her life.
Occasionally she struck an emotional
note, but on the whole kept rigidly to
Facts. The summing up of the defense
is to be in her hands, and she hopes by
Saturday to have obtained the acquittal
of Gleason. He will be twenty seven on
Monday, and an acquittal is the gift she
proposes TO give him, she says, provided
she convinces the jury of his inno-
cence. He has been in Jail more than
six months.
Spectators in the courtroom were
rcstive when Mrs. Maley rose to open
for the defense. 1t was evident that
she was nervous. Her voice barely
carried beyond the jury. But as she
proceeded and the people in the court
realized that they were witnessing 1
first murder defense in this country by
woman, wave of concentration
swept over the room. The jurymen
looked somewhat embarras ssed as this
small fair-haired woman directed her
arguments at them in level tones.
Gleason, the man she is defending,
cropped the nonchalance that has held
him throughout the trial. He leaned
forward with intent eyes and bowed
his head on his hands as it became ap-
parent that Mrs. Maley was impressing
his listeners. In the background sat
the boys mother, with lined, care
worn face, drinking in every word, and
fresh-faced sister, with tears in her
eyes.
Only Mrs. Ritter, widow of the mur-
dered man, seemed to be unmoved
When it was all over. Patrick Henry
Naley was the first to rush up his wi e
lie clasped her hand in both Of his and
said "I'm proud of you"
Next came District Attorney Hart
to congratulate her on splendid per-
torrance"
Urges Fair Play
i beg you not to form a premature
opinion" said Mrs. Maley in her ad-
dress to the jury. "Keep your minds
IN receptive mood and receive such
facts as Gleason has to offer in his
own behalf. The purpose of any trial
IS to secure the truth and to promote
the ends of justice, and this estimable
purpose can only be attained where the
jury is able until the close of the case
TO give full weight and value to all
the matters and testimony brought
under consideration, so that when the
time Tor elaboration arrives all these
matters should be nicely balanced and
the verdict found in accordance with
the probability OF truth. What I lack
IN eloquence / will try to supply in
sincerity
Mrs. Maley said she would plead
neither seif-defense nor an affiiction
on the part of her client. The defense
would be simply summed I'D in the
Anglo-Saxon phrase-not guilty. In
lucid fashion she narrated the history
o. the case, describing Gleason as the
victim of circumstances. She called
attention to his war record, saying
Vhat ne mad been discharged with the
commentator of an excellent charac-
ter by his commanding officer. She
will produce witnesses to testify to
MS reputable character, she said. Glea-
son came to Ridgefeld Park to Iattend
party given by his friend Cy Ober-
son, and did not know what was hap
penlng when Ritter was shot. she
argued. 1t is her contention that he
had no part in the crime. He will take
the stand i'll his own defense to-nor.
row morning.
Ooerson Pleads Drunkenness
While much of the interest of the
tfial centers around Gleason, since
Mfs' Maley is defending him. the
greater part of to-day was devoted to
Gt S,le de1ehse and examination of
Oherson Declaring that the dc.
fendant, who has confessed to shoot
ing Ritter, is an epileptic. subject to
attacks which make his mind n com
piete blank, John NJ. Ward, counsel for
tne defense, argued that murder was
not premeditated and that the CHARGE
should be second degree. A written
contession signed by Oberson was read
shot Ritter. -"e
! was drunk and sick at Che time %
Salq oberson on the witness stand
eo-aay' Gleason and / were together
ana we were trying to get Ritfer 10
Ifee pal of ours who had been ar.
rested We got into an argument with
nm and / saw him hit Gleason witb
thdhacults. struggled with him and
vi nv. ne MT me sever
times and Scared my face. 7 erahhaJ
ms gun, but was so frightened that that
didn't know what was doino
nave no knowledge of firing the gpn
put Gleason said / did. don't remen,
oer anything more until l found nv
self on trolley car" my
DR., Daniel I, Millspaugh. head of
the Riverlawn. sanitarium; Or. Jacob
Sobel, of the bureau of child bye.ieuo ~e;euo
81 the department of Health, and Dr
i. b. Armstrong. county physician Of
tassaie county, testified as to the &C
tions and potentialities of epileptics
Il find this youth decidedlv snh
normal" said DR.. Sobel He Is n snb-
normal emotionally, .temperamentallv
and mentally" 'f''s
Mrs; Annie Oberson, mother of tba
defendant, testified to Irrational spells
ana periods of forgetfulness" during
WHY" nc attempted to commit suicide.