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{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2023}}
{{short description|American murderer (1942–1995)}}
{{Short description|American murderer (1942–1995)}}
{{Infobox criminal
{{Infobox criminal
| name = Leon Moser
| name = Leon Moser
Line 7: Line 8:
| birth_name = Leon Jerome Moser
| birth_name = Leon Jerome Moser
| birth_date = {{birth date|1942|9|15}}
| birth_date = {{birth date|1942|9|15}}
| birth_place = [[Milwaukee, Wisconsin]], U.S.
| birth_place = [[Milwaukee]], Wisconsin, U.S.
| death_date = {{death date and age|1995|8|16|1942|9|15}}
| death_date = {{death date and age|1995|8|16|1942|9|15}}
| death_place = [[State Correctional Institution – Rockview]], [[Benner Township, Centre County, Pennsylvania|Benner Township]], [[Centre County, Pennsylvania]], U.S.
| death_place = [[SCI Rockview]], [[Benner Township, Pennsylvania]], U.S.
| death_cause = Execution by [[lethal injection]]
| death_cause = [[Execution by lethal injection]]
| conviction = [[First degree murder]] (3 counts)
| conviction = [[First degree murder]] (3 counts)<br>[[Criminal possession of a weapon|Possession of an instrument of crime]]
| conviction_penalty = [[Capital punishment|Death]] (January 24, 1986)
| conviction_penalty = [[Capital punishment|Death]] (January 24, 1986)
| conviction_status = [[Executed]]
| victims = Linda Moser, 35<br>Donna Moser, 14<br>Joanne Moser, 10
| victims = Linda Moser, 35<br>Donna Moser, 14<br>Joanne Moser, 10
| date = March 31, 1985
| date = March 31, 1985
| states = [[Pennsylvania]]
}}
}}
'''Leon Jerome Moser''' (September 15, 1942 – August 16, 1995)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cor.pa.gov/About%20Us/Initiatives/Pages/Death%20Penalty.aspx|title=List of individuals executed by lethal injection (1995 to present)|website=www.pa.gov|language=en|access-date=July 5, 2020}}</ref> was an American convicted murderer from [[Wisconsin]] who was executed by the Commonwealth of [[Pennsylvania]] for the 1985 murders of his ex-wife and two daughters in [[Montgomery County, Pennsylvania]]. He was the second person to be executed in Pennsylvania since the [[United States]] reinstated the [[death penalty]] in 1976.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/08/17/us/killer-of-his-ex-wife-and-2-daughters-is-executed.html|title=Killer of His Ex-Wife and 2 Daughters Is Executed|date=August 17, 1995|website=[[The New York Times]]|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190606112143/https://www.nytimes.com/1995/08/17/us/killer-of-his-ex-wife-and-2-daughters-is-executed.html|archivedate=June 6, 2019|access-date=December 27, 2019}}</ref>
'''Leon Jerome Moser''' (September 15, 1942 – August 16, 1995)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cor.pa.gov/About%20Us/Initiatives/Pages/Death%20Penalty.aspx|title=List of individuals executed by lethal injection (1995 to present)|website=www.pa.gov|language=en|access-date=July 5, 2020}}</ref> was an American convicted murderer who was executed in [[Pennsylvania]] for the 1985 murders of his ex-wife and two daughters in [[Montgomery County, Pennsylvania|Montgomery County]]. He was the second person to be executed in Pennsylvania since the United States reinstated the [[death penalty]] in 1976.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/08/17/us/killer-of-his-ex-wife-and-2-daughters-is-executed.html|title=Killer of His Ex-Wife and 2 Daughters Is Executed|date=August 17, 1995|website=[[The New York Times]]|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190606112143/https://www.nytimes.com/1995/08/17/us/killer-of-his-ex-wife-and-2-daughters-is-executed.html|archivedate=June 6, 2019|access-date=December 27, 2019}}</ref>


==Early life==
==Early life==
Moser was born on September 15, 1942, in [[Milwaukee, Wisconsin]]. He was the son of a farmer and the fourth of five boys. After graduating from high school, Moser attended a Roman Catholic seminary of the Salvadorian order for two years. He left due to poor academic performance and worked at an elementary school for a year. Afterward, he joined the army and received rave reviews in a performance evaluation. He met his future wife, Linda, while stationed at Fort Dix, New Jersey. The couple got married on April 26, 1969.
Moser was born on September 15, 1942, in [[Milwaukee, Wisconsin]]. He was the son of a farmer and the fourth of five boys. After graduating from high school, Moser attended a Roman Catholic seminary of the Salvadorian order for two years. He left due to poor academic performance and worked at an elementary school for a year. Afterward, he joined the army and received rave reviews in a performance evaluation. He met his future wife, Linda, while stationed at [[Fort Dix]] in [[New Jersey]]. The couple got married on April 26, 1969.<ref>{{cite news|last=O'Matz|first=Megan|title=Montco man who killed family now facing his own death|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98431826/montco-man-who-killed-family-now-facing/|newspaper=[[The Morning Call]]|date=August 13, 1995|pages=[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98431826/montco-man-who-killed-family-now-facing/ 1], [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98432034/moser-faces-death-for-killing-family/ 5]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|access-date=March 26, 2022}}</ref> Leon and Linda divorced in September 1984. He was a [[Vietnam veteran]] and former [[seminarian]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Roddy|first=Dennis|date=July 3, 1999|title=Natural born killers|work=[[Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]]|url=http://www.post-gazette.com/columnists/19990703roddy.asp|access-date=May 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091228065917/http://www.post-gazette.com/columnists/19990703roddy.asp|archive-date=December 28, 2009}}</ref>


==Murders==
==Murders==
On March 31, 1985, Leon Moser, a [[Vietnam veteran]] and former [[seminarian]],<ref>{{cite news|last=Roddy|first=Dennis|date=July 3, 1999|title=Natural born killers|work=[[Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]]|url=http://www.post-gazette.com/columnists/19990703roddy.asp|access-date=May 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091228065917/http://www.post-gazette.com/columnists/19990703roddy.asp|archive-date=December 28, 2009}}</ref> attended [[Palm Sunday]] services at the St. James Episcopal Church in [[Evansburg, Pennsylvania|Evansburg]], [[Lower Providence Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania|Lower Providence Township]], [[Pennsylvania]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.mcall.com/news/mc-xpm-1995-08-15-3049676-story.html|title=Judge grants stay of execution for Moser|work=[[The Morning Call]]|date=August 15, 1995|access-date=July 5, 2020}}</ref> He had arranged to meet his ex-wife, Linda Moser, and his two daughters, Donna and Joanne Moser. Leon and Linda had divorced in September 1984. According to Linda's parents, her husband had beaten her on several occasions.<ref>{{Cite news|date=1985-04-01|title=Leon Moser Murders|pages=6|work=The Philadelphia Inquirer|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/28082996/leon-moser-murders/|access-date=2022-02-06}}</ref> The girls were to spend the afternoon with Leon once the service ended. After the service, the four of them went outside to Leon's car. Leon asked Linda if he could take his daughters back to visit his parents' home in [[Wisconsin]]. Linda declined, and an argument ensued. Joanne got into the back seat of Leon's car, while Donna remained standing by the front of the car. As Linda walked back towards the church, Leon went to the back of his car and took out a bolt-action rifle.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://law.justia.com/cases/pennsylvania/supreme-court/1988/519-pa-441-0.html|title=Com. v. Moser|work=[[Justia]]|date=October 14, 1988|access-date=July 5, 2020}}</ref>
On March 31, 1985, Moser attended [[Palm Sunday]] services at the St. James Episcopal Church in [[Evansburg, Pennsylvania|Evansburg]], [[Lower Providence Township, Pennsylvania|Lower Providence Township]], [[Pennsylvania]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.mcall.com/news/mc-xpm-1995-08-15-3049676-story.html|title=Judge grants stay of execution for Moser|work=[[The Morning Call]]|date=August 15, 1995|access-date=July 5, 2020}}</ref> He had arranged to meet his ex-wife, Linda Moser, and his two daughters, Donna and Joanne Moser. According to Linda's parents, her husband had beaten her on several occasions.<ref>{{Cite news|date=1985-04-01|title=Leon Moser Murders|pages=6|work=The Philadelphia Inquirer|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/28082996/leon-moser-murders/|access-date=2022-02-06}}</ref> The girls were to spend the afternoon with Leon once the service ended. After the service, the four of them went outside to Leon's car. Leon asked Linda if he could take his daughters back to visit his parents' home in [[Wisconsin]]. Linda declined, and an argument ensued. Joanne got into the back seat of Leon's car, while Donna remained standing by the front of the car.<ref name="justia">{{cite web|url=https://law.justia.com/cases/pennsylvania/supreme-court/1988/519-pa-441-0.html|title=Com. v. Moser|work=[[Justia]]|date=October 14, 1988|access-date=July 5, 2020}}</ref>


He aimed the gun at the back of Joanne's head and pulled the trigger. Linda turned around and screamed as Leon aimed at her and fatally shot her in the chest. He then took aim at Donna and shot her in the head. After the shootings, Leon placed the rifle at his side and fired into the air. He fell to the ground as if shot, and remained there until the police arrived.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.mcall.com/news/mc-xpm-1995-08-13-3049943-story.html|title=Montco man who killed family now facing his own death|work=[[The Morning Call]]|date=August 13, 1995|access-date=July 5, 2020}}</ref> Linda and Joanne were pronounced dead at the scene, while Donna later died at [[Norristown State Hospital]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.mcall.com/news/mc-xpm-1985-04-02-2478647-story.html|title=Autopsies show victims died from gunshot wounds|work=[[The Morning Call]]|date=April 2, 1985|access-date=July 5, 2020}}</ref>
As Linda walked back towards the church, Leon went to the back of his car and took out a bolt-action rifle. He aimed the gun at the back of Joanne's head and pulled the trigger. Linda turned around and screamed as Leon aimed at her and fatally shot her in the chest. He then took aim at Donna and shot her in the head. After the shootings, Leon placed the rifle at his side and fired into the air. He fell to the ground as if shot, and remained there until the police arrived.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.mcall.com/news/mc-xpm-1995-08-13-3049943-story.html|title=Montco man who killed family now facing his own death|work=[[The Morning Call]]|date=August 13, 1995|access-date=July 5, 2020}}</ref> Linda and Joanne were pronounced dead at the scene, while Donna later died en route to Suburban Hospital in [[Norristown, Pennsylvania|Norristown]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.mcall.com/news/mc-xpm-1985-04-02-2478647-story.html|title=Autopsies show victims died from gunshot wounds|work=[[The Morning Call]]|date=April 2, 1985|access-date=July 5, 2020}}</ref>


==Trial==
==Trial==
Moser had reportedly been violent towards Linda in the past. In March 1984, he had put a knife to her throat and threatened to kill her. He had also previously grabbed her neck and choked her. Prior to the shootings, Moser had recently lost his job as a janitor and was also being treated at a psychiatric unit for depression.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/28082996/leon-moser-murders/|title=Three are killed at Montco church|work=[[The Philadelphia Inquirer]]|date=April 1, 1985|access-date=July 5, 2020}}</ref>
Moser had been violent towards Linda in the past. In March 1984, he had put a knife to her throat and threatened to kill her. He had also previously grabbed her neck and choked her. Prior to the shootings, Moser had recently lost his job as a janitor and was also being treated at a psychiatric unit for depression.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/28082996/leon-moser-murders/|title=Three are killed at Montco church|work=[[The Philadelphia Inquirer]]|date=April 1, 1985|access-date=July 5, 2020}}</ref>


Moser was found guilty of the murders and was sentenced to death on January 24, 1986. He refused all appeals and did not fight his execution.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://caselaw.findlaw.com/us-3rd-circuit/1305499.html|title=IN RE: Leon MOSER.|work=[[FindLaw]]|date=August 16, 1995|access-date=July 5, 2020}}</ref> He made a statement in court in 1986 in which he said "All I want to do, sir, is just die. Just give me the death penalty, sir. Please? And please have it carried out as soon as possible, sir. Please?".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1995/08/17/Pa-man-executed-for-killing-family/1335808632000/|title=Pa. man executed for killing family|work=[[United Press International]]|date=August 17, 1995|access-date=July 5, 2020}}</ref>
Moser pleaded guilty to the murders and a weapon charge and was sentenced to death on January 24, 1986. He refused all appeals and did not fight his execution.<ref name="justia" /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://caselaw.findlaw.com/us-3rd-circuit/1305499.html|title=In Re: Leon Moser|work=[[FindLaw]]|date=August 16, 1995|access-date=July 5, 2020}}</ref> He made a statement in court in 1986 in which he said "All I want to do, sir, is just die. Just give me the death penalty, sir. Please? And please have it carried out as soon as possible, sir. Please?"<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1995/08/17/Pa-man-executed-for-killing-family/1335808632000/|title=Pa. man executed for killing family|work=[[United Press International]]|date=August 17, 1995|access-date=July 5, 2020}}</ref>


==Execution==
==Execution==
On June 1, 1995, Moser and three other inmates on Pennsylvania's [[death row]] had their execution warrants signed by Governor [[Tom Ridge]]. Moser's was set for August 15. Unlike the others, Moser wanted to be executed. Fellow death row inmate, [[Mumia Abu-Jamal]], who was scheduled for execution two days after Moser, won a stay of execution on August 7. Following the stay, he requested and encouraged Moser to fight to save his own life. Ultimately, Moser rejected his request.
On June 1, 1995, Moser and three other inmates on Pennsylvania's [[death row]] had their execution warrants signed by Governor [[Tom Ridge]]. Moser's was set for August 15.<ref>{{cite news|last=Strader|first=Jim|title=Execution ordered for ex-journalist|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98434915/execution-ordered-for-ex-journalist/|newspaper=[[The Danville News]]|date=June 3, 1995|page=5|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|access-date=March 26, 2022}}</ref> Unlike the others, Moser wanted to be executed. Fellow death row inmate, [[Mumia Abu-Jamal]], who was scheduled for execution two days after Moser, won a stay of execution on August 7.<ref>{{cite news|title=Journalist Abu-Jamal wins stay of execution in cop killing|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98433627/journalist-abu-jamal-wins-stay-of/|newspaper=[[The Journal News]]|date=August 8, 1995|page=3|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|access-date=March 26, 2022}}</ref> Following the stay, Abu-Jamal and his supporters requested and encouraged Moser to fight to save his own life. Ultimately, Moser rejected their requests.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Daughen|first1=Joseph R.|last2=Baer|first2=John|title=Doomed Moser has fans|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98433650/doomed-moser-has-fans/|newspaper=[[Philadelphia Daily News]]|date=August 15, 1995|page=5|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|access-date=March 26, 2022}}</ref>


Moser was executed by [[lethal injection]] on August 16, 1995, at [[State Correctional Institution – Rockview]]. He declined to make a final statement. His [[last meal]] was two slices of pizza, cold cuts, pasta salad, a frosted cupcake and Coca-Cola. He became the second person to be executed by the state of Pennsylvania since the resumption of the death penalty in 1976. He remains the second of only three people to be executed in Pennsylvania since the resumption of the death penalty.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.pennlive.com/crime/2019/10/house-of-horrors-killer-was-last-to-be-executed-in-pa-20-years-ago.html|title=‘House of Horrors’ killer was last to be executed in Pa. - 20 years ago|work=[[The Patriot-News]]|date=October 18, 2019|access-date=February 8, 2021}}</ref> The others were [[Keith Zettlemoyer]] in May 1995 and [[Gary M. Heidnik]] in 1999.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/executions/execution-database?filters%5Bstate%5D=Pennsylvania|title=Searchable Execution Database|work=[[Death Penalty Information Center]]|access-date=December 27, 2019}}</ref>
Moser was executed by [[lethal injection]] on August 16, 1995, at [[State Correctional Institution – Rockview]]. He declined to make a final statement. His [[last meal]] was two slices of pizza, cold cuts, pasta salad, a frosted cupcake, and Coca-Cola. He became the second person to be executed by the state of Pennsylvania since the resumption of the death penalty in 1976. He remains the second of only three people to be executed in Pennsylvania since the resumption of the death penalty.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.pennlive.com/crime/2019/10/house-of-horrors-killer-was-last-to-be-executed-in-pa-20-years-ago.html|title='House of Horrors' killer was last to be executed in Pa. - 20 years ago|work=[[The Patriot-News]]|date=October 18, 2019|access-date=February 8, 2021}}</ref> The others were [[Keith Zettlemoyer]] in May 1995 and [[Gary M. Heidnik]] in 1999.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/executions/execution-database?filters%5Bstate%5D=Pennsylvania|title=Searchable Execution Database|work=[[Death Penalty Information Center]]|access-date=December 27, 2019}}</ref>

==Legacy==
The murders of Linda Moser and her daughters led to a change in the law in Pennsylvania. A year after Linda's death, the [[Pennsylvania General Assembly]] changed the state Crime Code, giving police the power to make arrests in domestic violence cases based on evidence. Prior to this, police had to witness an assault before making an arrest. In 1988, the legislature went further and amended the 1978 Protection from Abuse Act. The new amendments allowed women to file for protection without the assistance of a lawyer.<ref>{{cite news|last=O'Matz|first=Megan|title=Woman's murder changed how wife abuse is handled|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98431977/womans-murder-changed-how-wife-abuse/|newspaper=[[The Morning Call]]|date=August 13, 1995|page=4|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|access-date=March 26, 2022}}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
Line 44: Line 48:
==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}

{{sequence|
prev=[[Keith Zettlemoyer]]|
list=[[Capital punishment in Pennsylvania|Executions carried out in Pennsylvania]]|
next=[[Gary M. Heidnik]]
}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Moser, Leon}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Moser, Leon}}
[[Category:1942 births]]
[[Category:1942 births]]
[[Category:1995 deaths]]
[[Category:1995 deaths]]
[[Category:American murderers]]
⚫
[[Category:20th-century American criminals]]
[[Category:20th-century executions by Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:20th-century executions of American people]]
[[Category:20th-century executions of American people]]
⚫
[[Category:20th-century executions by Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:1985 murders in the United States]]
[[Category:1985 murders in the United States]]
[[Category:American people convicted of murder]]
[[Category:American murderers of children]]
[[Category:Familicides]]
[[Category:American people executed for murder]]
[[Category:Executed people from Wisconsin]]
[[Category:Familicides in the United States]]
[[Category:People convicted of murder by Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:People convicted of murder by Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:People executed by Pennsylvania by lethal injection]]
[[Category:People executed by Pennsylvania by lethal injection]]
[[Category:People executed for murder]]
[[Category:People from Milwaukee]]
[[Category:People from Milwaukee]]
[[Category:United States Army personnel of the Vietnam War]]

Latest revision as of 00:09, 3 October 2024

Leon Moser
Born
Leon Jerome Moser

(1942-09-15)September 15, 1942
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.
DiedAugust 16, 1995(1995-08-16) (aged 52)
SCI Rockview, Benner Township, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Cause of deathExecution by lethal injection
Conviction(s)First degree murder (3 counts)
Possession of an instrument of crime
Criminal penaltyDeath (January 24, 1986)
Details
VictimsLinda Moser, 35
Donna Moser, 14
Joanne Moser, 10
DateMarch 31, 1985
State(s)Pennsylvania

Leon Jerome Moser (September 15, 1942 – August 16, 1995)[1] was an American convicted murderer who was executed in Pennsylvania for the 1985 murders of his ex-wife and two daughters in Montgomery County. He was the second person to be executed in Pennsylvania since the United States reinstated the death penalty in 1976.[2]

Early life

[edit]

Moser was born on September 15, 1942, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He was the son of a farmer and the fourth of five boys. After graduating from high school, Moser attended a Roman Catholic seminary of the Salvadorian order for two years. He left due to poor academic performance and worked at an elementary school for a year. Afterward, he joined the army and received rave reviews in a performance evaluation. He met his future wife, Linda, while stationed at Fort Dix in New Jersey. The couple got married on April 26, 1969.[3] Leon and Linda divorced in September 1984. He was a Vietnam veteran and former seminarian.[4]

Murders

[edit]

On March 31, 1985, Moser attended Palm Sunday services at the St. James Episcopal Church in Evansburg, Lower Providence Township, Pennsylvania.[5] He had arranged to meet his ex-wife, Linda Moser, and his two daughters, Donna and Joanne Moser. According to Linda's parents, her husband had beaten her on several occasions.[6] The girls were to spend the afternoon with Leon once the service ended. After the service, the four of them went outside to Leon's car. Leon asked Linda if he could take his daughters back to visit his parents' home in Wisconsin. Linda declined, and an argument ensued. Joanne got into the back seat of Leon's car, while Donna remained standing by the front of the car.[7]

As Linda walked back towards the church, Leon went to the back of his car and took out a bolt-action rifle. He aimed the gun at the back of Joanne's head and pulled the trigger. Linda turned around and screamed as Leon aimed at her and fatally shot her in the chest. He then took aim at Donna and shot her in the head. After the shootings, Leon placed the rifle at his side and fired into the air. He fell to the ground as if shot, and remained there until the police arrived.[8] Linda and Joanne were pronounced dead at the scene, while Donna later died en route to Suburban Hospital in Norristown.[9]

Trial

[edit]

Moser had been violent towards Linda in the past. In March 1984, he had put a knife to her throat and threatened to kill her. He had also previously grabbed her neck and choked her. Prior to the shootings, Moser had recently lost his job as a janitor and was also being treated at a psychiatric unit for depression.[10]

Moser pleaded guilty to the murders and a weapon charge and was sentenced to death on January 24, 1986. He refused all appeals and did not fight his execution.[7][11] He made a statement in court in 1986 in which he said "All I want to do, sir, is just die. Just give me the death penalty, sir. Please? And please have it carried out as soon as possible, sir. Please?"[12]

Execution

[edit]

On June 1, 1995, Moser and three other inmates on Pennsylvania's death row had their execution warrants signed by Governor Tom Ridge. Moser's was set for August 15.[13] Unlike the others, Moser wanted to be executed. Fellow death row inmate, Mumia Abu-Jamal, who was scheduled for execution two days after Moser, won a stay of execution on August 7.[14] Following the stay, Abu-Jamal and his supporters requested and encouraged Moser to fight to save his own life. Ultimately, Moser rejected their requests.[15]

Moser was executed by lethal injection on August 16, 1995, at State Correctional Institution – Rockview. He declined to make a final statement. His last meal was two slices of pizza, cold cuts, pasta salad, a frosted cupcake, and Coca-Cola. He became the second person to be executed by the state of Pennsylvania since the resumption of the death penalty in 1976. He remains the second of only three people to be executed in Pennsylvania since the resumption of the death penalty.[16] The others were Keith Zettlemoyer in May 1995 and Gary M. Heidnik in 1999.[17]

Legacy

[edit]

The murders of Linda Moser and her daughters led to a change in the law in Pennsylvania. A year after Linda's death, the Pennsylvania General Assembly changed the state Crime Code, giving police the power to make arrests in domestic violence cases based on evidence. Prior to this, police had to witness an assault before making an arrest. In 1988, the legislature went further and amended the 1978 Protection from Abuse Act. The new amendments allowed women to file for protection without the assistance of a lawyer.[18]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "List of individuals executed by lethal injection (1995 to present)". www.pa.gov. Retrieved July 5, 2020.
  2. ^ "Killer of His Ex-Wife and 2 Daughters Is Executed". The New York Times. August 17, 1995. Archived from the original on June 6, 2019. Retrieved December 27, 2019.
  3. ^ O'Matz, Megan (August 13, 1995). "Montco man who killed family now facing his own death". The Morning Call. pp. 1, 5. Retrieved March 26, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ Roddy, Dennis (July 3, 1999). "Natural born killers". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Archived from the original on December 28, 2009. Retrieved May 24, 2021.
  5. ^ "Judge grants stay of execution for Moser". The Morning Call. August 15, 1995. Retrieved July 5, 2020.
  6. ^ "Leon Moser Murders". The Philadelphia Inquirer. April 1, 1985. p. 6. Retrieved February 6, 2022.
  7. ^ a b "Com. v. Moser". Justia. October 14, 1988. Retrieved July 5, 2020.
  8. ^ "Montco man who killed family now facing his own death". The Morning Call. August 13, 1995. Retrieved July 5, 2020.
  9. ^ "Autopsies show victims died from gunshot wounds". The Morning Call. April 2, 1985. Retrieved July 5, 2020.
  10. ^ "Three are killed at Montco church". The Philadelphia Inquirer. April 1, 1985. Retrieved July 5, 2020.
  11. ^ "In Re: Leon Moser". FindLaw. August 16, 1995. Retrieved July 5, 2020.
  12. ^ "Pa. man executed for killing family". United Press International. August 17, 1995. Retrieved July 5, 2020.
  13. ^ Strader, Jim (June 3, 1995). "Execution ordered for ex-journalist". The Danville News. p. 5. Retrieved March 26, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. ^ "Journalist Abu-Jamal wins stay of execution in cop killing". The Journal News. August 8, 1995. p. 3. Retrieved March 26, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  15. ^ Daughen, Joseph R.; Baer, John (August 15, 1995). "Doomed Moser has fans". Philadelphia Daily News. p. 5. Retrieved March 26, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. ^ "'House of Horrors' killer was last to be executed in Pa. - 20 years ago". The Patriot-News. October 18, 2019. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
  17. ^ "Searchable Execution Database". Death Penalty Information Center. Retrieved December 27, 2019.
  18. ^ O'Matz, Megan (August 13, 1995). "Woman's murder changed how wife abuse is handled". The Morning Call. p. 4. Retrieved March 26, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
Preceded by
Keith Zettlemoyer 		Executions carried out in Pennsylvania Succeeded by
Gary M. Heidnik
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