GOSSARD, Harry
Gossard, a 39-year-old former salesman and merchant seaman was at
home in Yonemaugh, Pa., recuperating from a back injury. On the
night Jom Vcr. ean 195k, he was out riding around when he encountered
6=year-old rico Karen-Mauk,—the-daughter of a neighbor, whb was
out in a Halloween costume "trick or treating" and offered her same
noney to get into his car. MASHXXKSXXXEL He drove her to a ceme-
tery where he raped her and then smothered her to death, Gossard
became a suspect when it was revealod that he had been arrested
on two different accasions in the past for morals offenses and he
was.taken_into-police-headquarters for interrogation. The tires
from his autombbile were found to match impressions left by a car
at the cemetary on the night of the murder and when confronted with
this, he confessed, but claimed that the girl's death was acciden-
tal as he had lost his footing and fallen on her. Vossard cen
Buty and was sentenced to death. He was electrocuted on June !
1956.6
rena i JETECTIVE Octo} ET 5 196h. Pa AS) 56
Sr Ofecral Lie Cur, flee. (964, PYF
Gossard, a _39=year-old former-salesman-and merchant seaman was at
home in Yonemau; gh, Pa., recuperating from a back injury. On the
night of Oct. 28, 195), he was out riding around when he encountered
6=year-old BE Karen Mauk,—the-daughter-of-a neighbor, tha was
out in a Halloween costume "trick or treating" and offered her some
money to get into his car. WKSAXSKSXXIEE He drove her to a ceme-
tery where he raped-her-and then smothered her to death, Gossard
became a suspect when it was revealed that he had been arrested
on two different accasions in the past for morals offenses and he
was taken_into_police headquarters for interrogation. The tires
from his autombbile were found to match impressions left by a car
at the cemetary on the night of the murder and when confronted with
this, he confessed, but claimed thatthe girl's death was acci
tal as he 1 ies lost his footing and fallen on her. Gossard pl
id was sentenced to dea
aded
th. He was electrocuted on Jung },
TRUE DETECTIVE, October, 196. Page 5
Ser Ofrcal ee flee, (96; PYF
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