Grs Blast Yarmouth Cap

THE MIAMI Nic

Mossler Case In Windup

Death Penalty Not Asked

Candace Mossler (1966 photo)

Associated Press

Candace Mossler; cleared in 1966 of killing husband

MIAMI BEACH P Candace Mossler died yesterday in her sleep, a quiet end to a turbulent life turned sensational in 1966 when she was tried and acquitted for the murder of her wealthy husband.

Mrs. Mossler died in her suite at the Fontainebleau Hotel, where she had come the day before to preside over a meeting of the Central National Bank, part of the multimillion dollar empire she inherited from her husband, Jacques.

Mrs. Mossler's death was being investigated by medical examiners, but police said they had no reason to suspect foul play. Her age remained in question. By her previous statements, she was 55. Records in her native Georgia indicated she was seven years older.

Jacques Mossler's body was found in a Key Biscayne apartment by his four children early on the morning of June 30, 1964. He had been stabbed 39 times and suffered a heavy blow to his head.

Within days, Candace Mossler and her nephew, Melvin Lane Powers, were charged with the slaying. The state said the two were engaged in "a sordid, illicit love affair," hated Mossler and wanted his money.

Defense attorney Percy Foreman said Mossler was a ruthless businessman with many enemies and involved in homosexual affairs.

Neither Mrs. Mossler nor Powers took the witness stand, but more than 100 other persons testified. Several convicts swore they had been offered money by Mrs. Mossler and her nephew to kill the banker.

The jury, after 161⁄2 hours of deliberation, acquitted both.

Mrs. Mossler married Barnett Garrison in 1972 but divorced him in 1975 after he suffered brain damage and other injuries in a fall.

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