Evening star., 1954-01-20
Suspect Confesses,
BIames Other for
California kidnapping
BY tn. As.oeiot.d Pres.

br the Associated PFoSs
SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 90
Two one-time private detectives
jailed as abductors in the lease
of the kidnapped twin" split up
today-police said one confessed
and blamed the other. who de-
MED some of the story but eS-
sentially wouldn't talk.
The victim. Leonard MOSko-
vitz, So, real estate broker. was
rescued unharmed and smiling
yesterday morning after two and
q half days of captivity. No
ransom was paid despite de-
mands of first $500,000 and then
$300.000.
Under California, kidnapping
with bodily harm carries maxi
mum penalty Of death and q |
minimum of life without parole.
kidnapping without harm carries
q penalty Of life with the pos
sibility of parole.
Decision Up to Jury.
Mr.. Moskovitz said he was not
injured, but District Attorney
Thomas Lynch told newsmen the
Interpretation of bodily harm is
up to q jury, which could decide
that cruel bonds or the like could
mean injury. Mr.. Moskovitz was
bound and Shackled during most
Of his Imprisonment.
The two men arrested were
seized separately. The first,
Joseph william Lear, 43, Of Sac
ramento, Calf, was caught in a
telephone booth making a ram
som call to the victims identical
twin and constant companion,
Alfred MoskovitZ.
Police said Lear broke down
and led them to a rented house.
where a stocking foot raiding
party broke in, rescued Mr.. Mos
kovitz and arrested 57-year-old
Harold Jackson of Sacramento
as he stood in his shorts. jack
son was shivering with fright.
said Inspector Al Nelder, who
nailed him.
Well-Kept Secret.
The arrests ended the biggest
San Francisco manhunt ever
and broke the best-kept secret Of
years. On police request. all
news outlets had voluntarily
held back the story until Mr..
Moskovitz was safe.
Police said Lear. a soft-faced
and fearful hearing-aid sales
man, made complete confession
after he and Jackson had been
booked on suspicion of kidnapping.
Chief Homicide Inspector
Frank Ahern said Lear blamed
the whole plot on Jackson. He
said Lear related:
Lear had believed he was
working with Jackson on a de-
tective case until Mr.. Moskovitz
was bundled into a house rented
by Jackson and threatened with.
death unless Moskovitz' family
paid $500 900 ransom.
Lear followed Jackson's lead
from fear.
Mr.. Moskovitz himself said
Lear kept muttering. Didn't
know it was to be this kind Of
q lob or I wouldn't have gone
into it."
jackson seemed to be the
leader" Mr.. Moskovitz said.
Lear hat ideas Of his own,
but he had to get the okay on
everything from Jackson"
Lear'S Story Questioned.
Inspector Ahern questioned
Lear's story of being duped into
the kidnapping. He said earlier
actions by the two indicated Lear
knew what was up. Mr.. Ahern
said Lear and Jackson bought
chains. ropes, flashlights and
other gear in San Jose two days
before the kidnapping for use in
the job.
He also pointed out that Lear
made ransom calls and was often
left alone in the house and could
have left at any time.
Jackson, displaying a constant
sneer. disagreed with Lear on
about everything. Inspector Don
Scott said. Mr.. Scott reported
jackson denied much Of Lear's
story, disputed other parts and
agreed with some.
Mr.. Ahern brought the two to-
Kether in an Office for brief pc
riods last night and then sepa-
rated them for individual ques-
tioniag.
Prisoners Act Differently.
Lear, obviously tired and un-
happy, appeared resigned as he
walked from Office to Office be-
tween guards. He hadn't smiled
since his capture.
Jackson, his natty tweed suit
still sharply pressed and his
starched collar unwilted, walked
with a swagger. Occasionally
his voice could be heard loudly
through tranSon1S.
The case began Saturday
morning when Mr.. Moskovitz
was lured from his real estate
Office on a phony real estate
prospect.
He said jackson took him to
q residential district house sup
posedly to meet Jackson's
brother-in-law and then showed
him into a chair and told him
he was kidnapped. Mr.. Mosko-
Vitz said Jackson held a razor
sharp knife on him. but there