Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-08-18
WIFE IS RECOVERING
FROM GUN WOUNDS;
HUSBAND SUICIDE
EStranged Spouse, Failing in
Reconciliation, Attempts
Staying at Hotel.
DIVORCE PLEA HEARING
WAS TO BE HELD TODAY
George Fusco Runs From Room
Gulping Poison After Shoot
ing Woman.

Mrs. George NJ. Fusco, 33 years DID,
was believed recovering today from bull
let wounds in the neck and wrist in
ficted at the Cavalier Hotel last mid
night by her estranged husband just
before he ran from her side with
phial of poison at his lips, to die in an
upper hallway.
Fusco, 26 years old, photoengrayer
at the Government Printing ONCE, had
sought his wife, on the eve OF hearing
on her application for divorce, to plead
for a reconciliation.
Mrs. Flsco is believed to have been
stanch in her refusal, for the two had
been closeted together about an hour,
when two shots rang out and Fusco
was seen to run from the apart
ment, gulping the contents Of a bottle OF
poison.
Suicide Certified.
Or. Joseph D. Rogers, deputy coroner,
issued a certificate of suicide and at
tempted murder following an investiga-
ton.
Mrs. Fusco, mother of two children
by former marriage, went to the Cav
alier about two weeks ago to live with
her sister, Mrs. John D. Mothershed,
after a dispute with her husband, dur
ing which he was said to have struck
her.
After Fusco called to see his wife, Mr..
and Mrs Mothershed retired and were
asleep with their two children in an
pther room when awakened by the shots.
Maurice Greenbaum, who occupies an
apartment across the corridor from the
Mothersheds, heard the reports of the
gun. He ran into the corridor and,
grappling with Fusco as he hurried out,
knocked the half-filled bottle OF poison
from his hand.
Fusco, however, wrenched free and
dashed down the corridor. The shoot
ing occurred on the second floor and
1t was some 20 or 80 minutes later be-
fore headquarters detectives. searching
for Fusco, found him sprawled in the
north end Of fifth-floor corridor, near
q window.
He was pronounced dead a few mo-
ments later by Iar. Marjorie Shaw
Stewart, resident of the hotel. Police
were unable to learn the nature OF the
poison Fusco drank
Police recovered the gun, -22-cal1ber
revolver, from the floor near the spot
where Mrs. Fusco fell, and later found
the half-empty bottle Of poison in the
corridor outside the door.
Fusco, police we're told, made several
telephone calls previous 70 the shooting
in an attempt to persuade his wife to
return to his home az 1lO1 Euclid
street. Mrs. Fusco turned a deaf ear
to his pleas, however, and engaged
local attorney, Raymond Neudecker, TO
1ile suit for divorce.
Fusco came here from his home In
Brooklyn, ". Y, something over a year
ago and obtained job at the printing
once in May Of 1880.
Mrs. Fusco met her husband when
she came to Washington from her
home in Durham. NJ c.. to visit her
sister. They were married several
months ago Mrs. Fuscos two chill
dren-Franees, IL. and Peter e-are
living In the North Carolina city
Notes Found.
Two notes found on Fusco's person
indicated he planned desperate meas
ures when he called at the Cavalier
last night.
one was addressed ITO whom II may
concern" and contained a detailed &C
count Of his unhappy married life. He
set down a number Of grievances.
The other began
Dear mother. I am sorry ever
left Especially coming 70 Washing
ton to take this Government job.
should have written for ADVICE more
often she must forgive me-
apparently referring TO former
Eweetheart) "for leaving"
Mrs Fusco was given first aid and
removed to Emergency Hospital in the
ambulance of the fire rescue squad.
Doctors there today said she passed
flair" night and was conscious today,
with every indication of an early re-
covery.
one bullet took effect In the right
mart Of the neck and the other in the
right wrist.
Fuscos body was removed TO the
morgue and his mother, Mrs. Frances
Fusco of Brooklyn, notified. No inquest
will be necessary, Or. Rogers said.