Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-10-16
ROSTER TRIAL BAN
ON MORBID WOMEN
mot a Hippodrome," Says
Judge, Who Will Bar All Not in
Courtroom on Business
WOMEN JURORS A PUZZLE

trying to have themselves SummOneu as
witnesses in the trial of Mrs. Catherine
Roier. charged with the murder or her
huband. Oscar Roster. an advertising
Rcckitt. in order TO be sure of obtain.
ing entrance to Judge Barratts court
when the trial commences Wednesday.
An unusual interest Is being taken In
the case by the morbidly curious and 1t
IL expected that large numbers OF women
VIII cndeavor to squeeze into the
crowded courtroom when the trial
opens. despite Judge Barratt's warning
that he will not permit the hearing to-
be jammcd with those attracted blythe
hope Of hearing sensational testimony:
This will not be hippodrome.
the Judge said. "a woman IS on trial
for her life. and in view OF the ma.
ture of the case and the possibility Of
that women who are not witnesses will
not attcnd.'
Arrangements Are Completed
Arrangements for the trial were
completed today ut conference be-
tween, Assistant District Attorney
Speiser and Judge Barratt. Attorney
Speiser will press for first degree
murder verdict.
There is considerable speculation as
to whether there will be an attempt by
either the prosecution or the defense
to keep womeH off the jury. Mrs. Roster
will be the first woman to be placed on
trial for the Staying of her husband
because of alleged infdelty since wom-
on have been made eligible for jury
service.
Sensational surprises are limited by
both the State and the defense. While
Mr.. Spicser refused to indicate the
Commonwealth cnsc. it is said that
much important evidence hearing upon
the double killing has been gathered by
County Detective James J. McGettigan.
.Ir.. since the arrest Of the woman.
McGettigan has been in charge of the
investigation made by the District At
torney's office.
Faces Four Indictments
There nrc four indictments against
Mrs. Roster. Two Of them charge mur-
der. The other two bills contain two
counts each. One Of the counts charges
voluntary manslaughter and the other
involuntary manslaughtrr.
Mrs. Rosters trial was originally
fixed for February y last. Several
postponements. however, were obtained
by John II. X. Scott, who. with Will
lian r. Connor. represents her.
Considerable interest has been mani
Tested by lawyers as to the defense in
the case. One of the most persistent
Of the reports is that an effort will
be made to libcratc her by attempting
to show that she killed Roster and
Miss Rcckitt after being driven tenn
porarily insane by her husbands al
legged infdrlity.
Mrs. Roster has been confined tC
MWnmonsing Prison since the Staying.
Rcccntly there have been reports that
her hcnlth is failing.
At the time she killed her husband
Mrs. Roster was twenty-One years old.
Her husband. who was the head OF
an advertising agency bearing his name.
was thirty eight, while Miss Reckitt
was twenty.four.
After the killing Mrs. Roster as
serted that she shot her husband when
she found him and his stenographcr in
Il compromising position. She also as
serted that it was for the sake of her
baby, now one year old, that she acted
as she did.
After the shooting Roster and Miss
, Rcckitt were removed TO the Jctfer-
son Hospital. where they both died.
Before his death Roster is said to have
signed will dsinhcritins both his
widow and tn" infant.
Mrs. Roster used Il .25-calibcr auto
! matte pistol in tn" doubl" killing.
After the shooting Mrs. Roster became
mystercal. Questioned as to the kill :
ing. she said:
.'When was In the hospital three
months ago having my baby they began
running together. Today l caught
! them.
The last woman to 60 on trial in
Philadelphia for n double murder was
Mrs. Mary lteidy. who was convicted
| in 1860 of second degree murder for the
deaths Of Joseph Sides and his brother
Isaac.