Mitchell Cohen

MITCHELL COHEN had a long career as a lawyer and judge in Camden. A Democrat aligned with George R. Brunner in the mid-1930s, he was named Camden City Prosecutor in the October of 1936, when a New Jersey State Supreme Court decision gave control of City government to the Democrat party. He was made acting judge in Camden’s Police Court by August of 1938. Mitchell Cohen also served as Camden County Prosecutor in the late 1940s and early 1950s.

The 1947 Camden City Directory shows that Mitchell Cohen was living at 413 Penn Street. This house had been from the 1900s through at least the 1930s the home for three sisters who were long-time Camden schoolteachers, Frances Wilmerton, Mary Brown, and Margaret Thomson.

Mitchell Cohen was Camden County prosecutor in 1949 when Howard Unruh went on a rampage, leaving 13 people dead. Mitchell Cohen took Unruh’s statement, which remains sealed to this day. Also during Cohen’s tenure as County Prosecutor, long-time Camden County Chief of Detectives Larry Doran retired. He was still County Prosecutor as late as 1954.

Mitchell Cohen rose to the post of Chief Justice of the Federal District Court in Camden. The Courthouse, erected in the late 1990s, bears his name.

Baird to Address Hebrew League

David Baird, Jr., Republican nominee for governor, will make his final appearance in the current election campaign Monday night, in his “own home town,” when he will address a monster rally at the Hebrew Republican League, at the Talmud Torah, 621 Kaighn avenue.

The Hebrew league reorganized formally at a luncheon in the Hotel Walt Whitman. Lewis Liberman, assistant city solicitor, was elected president; Sig Schoenagle, Samuel Shaner, Israel Weitzman, vice-presidents; L. Scott Cherchesky, secretary, and Samuel Label, treasurer.

Trustees of the league include Hyman Bloom, Mitchell E. Cohen, Benjamin Friedman, Jacob L. Furer, Isadore H. Hermann, Carl Kisselman, Edward Markowitz, Louis L. Markowitz, Harry Obus, Maurice L. Praissman, Samuel Richelson, Meyer L. Sakin, Julius Rosenberg, Jacob Rosenkrantz and Jack Weinberg.

In addition to former Senator Baird, speakers at the Jewish rally will include Mrs. Elizabeth C. Verga, Republican state committeewoman and vice chairman of the county committee; Congressman Charles A. Wolverton, Congressman Benjamin Golder, of Pennsylvania, and State Senator Samuel Salus, of Pennsylvania.

General Housecleaning Predicted After Secret Parley of ‘Big Four’; Leaders Reported Not in Full Accord on Patronage

Complaints of Lawyer Against Other Driver in Collision Are Dismissed

Arraigned on charges of driving while drunk and reckless driving preferred by a Camden attorney, Thomas Casale, 23, of 275 Chestnut street, was freed yesterday by Police Judge Mariano after City Prosecutor Cohen termed his arrest “outrageous.”

Casale was arrested after his automobile and a car driven by Thomas N. Smaldore, the lawyer, were in collision at Eleventh street and Newton avenue on December 24.

Asked by Cohen whether Casale was drunk, Smaldore said he “couldn’t truthfully say,” but that he “smelled alcohol on Casale’s breath.”

“Then why did you sign an affidavit charging the defendant with drunken driving?” asked Cohen. “I thought he might be drunk,” Smaldore replied.

Then Detectives Stanley Bobiak and Leon Feltz, Patrolmen William Taylor and Walter Vecander, and City Jailer Harry Stahl were called to the witness stand. All five testified that Casale was not intoxicated when brought into police headquarters.

“There’s something wrong in this case,” interposed Judge Mariano. “What prompted you to make these charges if you can’t say definitely whether this man was driving recklessly? You have some purpose in mind and it is not fair to these policemen and to this defendant to arrest him on such serious charges.”

“I would like to move for dismissal of both complaints,” Cohen informed the court. “This defendant has been arrested on two complaints, both of a serious nature, but apparently a settlement has been reached.”

“I will dismiss both complaints with regrets,” replied Judge Mariano. “If counsel was not involved in this case, I would say something else.”

Cohen Takes Search for Witness Into Own Hands After Sleuths Fail

City Prosecutor Mitchell Cohen yesterday took the investigation of a drunken driving case out of the hands of two district detectives and announced he would “look into the case myself.”

His action preceded postponement of the case for the fifth time in 10 days. Defendant in the case is Lloyd A. Wright, of Garden street, Mt. Holly, brother of Atwell Wright, night warden at the Burlington county jail.

Wright was arrested Dec. 28 by District Detectives Louis Schlamm and Richard Donnelly in front of Woodrow Wilson High School, Thirty-second and Federal streets. The sleuths testified they were notified by a bus driver the man was driving while intoxicated, but when they found him, his car was parked and he was behind the wheel.

Still Seeking Bus Driver

The postponements have been granted by Police Judge Gene Mariano to permit the officers to bring the bus driver into court to testify. They said they did not get the bus driver’s name and have been unable to locate him.

“The evidence that this man was driving his automobile while intoxicated is somewhere,” Cohen said. “He lives in Mt. Holly and was arrested in Camden. Either he or someone else drove this car into Camden and no one else has been brought here as the driver.

“I am not a detective, but I want the opportunity of personally investigating this matter. Buses run on schedules and surely the drivers of these buses have specified times to pass certain points. The man who was driving the bus on this night, I believe, can easily be named by Public Service officials.

“I am going out there to see Mr. Harper and talk to every driver in his employ until I am able to find this man who gave this information to the police. I don’t think there will be any criticism directed at me or this court for the manner in which I intend to handle this case.”

Postponed to Jan. 12

Rocco Palese, attorney for Wright, told the court he did not think the bus driver could give any substantial evidence when he is found. Judge Mariano postponed the case until Jan. 12.

Police Charge He Got One on Credit, Sold and Then Reclaimed It

One of the strangest gyp rackets discovered in Camden in recent years—a vacuum cleaner sales scheme—was believed broken up yesterday with arraignment of Leonard Hauser, 218 North Eighth street, before Police Judge Mariano. Hauser was arrested at his home by patrolman John Ferry after an investigation by Frank Thompson, representative of a nationally-known vacuum cleaner company with offices at Sixth and Cooper streets.

Ferry testified Hauser paid $10 down on a cleaner for a certain trial period. Then, Ferry said, he represented himself as a salesman for the company and sold it to Mrs. Mary Kirby, 552 Bailey street, for $25, plus her old cleaner for a trade in.

Later, the cleaner mysteriously broke down. Hauser called and said he would take it back, Ferry testified, and bring a new one. He took the cleaner, said Ferry, but never was seen at the Kirby home again.

“If he had taken the broom,” remarked City Prosecutor Cohen, “would you call it a clean sweep?”

Mariano said he had information that Hauser was “working a real racket and that a number of other North Camden residents had been similarly defrauded.”

C. Lawrence Gregorio, defense counsel, waived a hearing and the suspect was held in $2000 bail for the Grand Jury.

Detective Edwin Mills said after the hearing that Hauser did not restrict his activities to vacuum cleaners.

William Shaw, of 1474 Broadway, identified Hauser, according to Mills, as the man who collected $5 from him for an electric toy which was to have been Shaw’s little son’s Christmas present. The toy never arrived, Mills said Shaw told him.

Mrs. Emily C. Hedley, of Berlin, and Mrs. Howard Brown, of Williamstown, also identified Hauser as the “vacuum cleaner salesman” who duped them, Mills declared.

Barber Held in Slaying Case Pending Formal Indictment by Grand Jury

Sam Bosco, mid-city barber, was held for the county prosecutor’s office on the charge of murder, following court action yesterday termed by Police Judge Gene R. Mariano as unprecedented in Camden legal annals.

Prosecutor Samuel P. Orlando announced he tried to bring the grand jury together for action in a true bill against the prisoner. The members had scattered so widely, however, they could not meet, but the true bill is expected Friday, when the jury makes its presentment.

Bosco is cited in connection with the death of Angelo Magalas, restaurant chef who died as a result of a holdup of a card game at 725 Penn Street, January 10. Magalas was shot in the arm during the crime, and the wound reputedly hastened his death from another ailment from which he was suffering.

Arrested at Jury Room

The action against Bosco follows an odd legal path. The barber was waiting to be called by the grand jury as a witness into the death of Magalas, for which Frank Luggi is now sought.

While Bosco was sitting in the anteroom awaiting his call before the grand jury, Detective Thomas Murphy placed him under arrest.

At the time it was believed a true bill had been found against the man, but it has developed the arrest was on a warrant obtained by Murphy.

When Bosco arraigned yesterday it was revealed the charge was murder, but he was held under the warrant which Murphy had obtained, and the grand jury had not found the true bill to date.

“I was informed the grand jury would be summoned,” said Judge Mariano, “and I know the prosecutor did get in touch with some of the members, but they were not all available to sit.

“Hence the prosecutor may bring them today, tomorrow, or any other day that suits. No case such as this has ever come to my attention, and I simply acted to aid the county prosecutor’s office, and to put Bosco in charge of the county officials and out of the city’s hands, where I do not believe the case should rest at present time.

“I suggested to Prosecutor Orlando that it would be well to obtain a bench warrant in order to hold Bosco, and he agreed with me at that time. We also called in John L. Morrissey, counsel for Bosco, and I understand that he agreed with the procedure I had outlined.

“So I held Bosco to await the action of the county prosecutor’s office and he is being held a prisoner under those exact circumstances. Bosco is charged with murder now.”

Hearing Held Unnecessary

Bosco appeared in court unkempt, unshaven and handcuffed on complaint by Detective Murphy that on Jan. 10 Bosco “did feloniously and willfully murder, kill and slay” Magalas in a card game holdup was not read to the prisoner and he was not even asked to plead.

“For the purpose of the prisoner being committed to the county jail pending a further hearing next Monday, there is no necessity for a hearing at this time,” said City Prosecutor Cohen. “He has already been indicted.

“The usual procedure is to hold a hearing only when there has been no action by the Grand Jury, but in this case, the indictment having been found, it is necessary only to send him to the county jail on the strength of the indictment.”

John L. Morrissey, Bosco’s attorney, objected that no indictment officially has been presented, the Grand Jury not being scheduled to make its formal presentment until Friday.

“Detective Murphy,” Cohen replied, “was instructed last Friday by the Grand Jury to take this man into custody because an indictment had been found. If counsel insists on production of the indictment, I believe the case should be postponed until Monday.”

“In three days,” Morrissey argued, “we have been able to obtain absolutely no information regarding the evidence or witnesses. There is no indictment officially. Of course, it is common gossip that the defendant has been indicted, but neither the county nor the city seems to know what to do with him. I think some evidence should be presented to show us why he is being held.”

Murphy interjected that both the Grand Jury foreman and Assistant Prosecutor Patrick J. Harding had instructed him to arrest Bosco, but Morrissey replied that “that is only hearsay evidence.”

Jury To Be Called

“I have been in touch with County Prosecutor Orlando,” Judge Mariano explained, “and he is going to call the Grand Jury together as soon as he can to make a special presentment.”

“He is a county prisoner,” said Mariano, “the city has nothing to do with it. If an indictment has been presented, the county would be able to have the defendant. I see no harm committing him until further action by the Grand Jury.”

Morrissey then asked that bail be set. Cohen objected on the ground that the court had no legal right so to do. Mariano said he had the right but would not set bail.

“This is the first time I ever saw a defendant held without evidence or testimony,” remarked Morrissey.

“There will be plenty of witnesses when the time comes,” Cohen answered.

“What do you know about it?” Morrissey shot back. “You don’t know anything about it. You don’t even know who the witnesses will be.”

Girl Tells in Court of Twice Buying Beer But He Assails Her Story

Arrested on a charge of violating the city ordinance forbidding the sale of alcoholic beverages to minors, Antonio Panetta, 52, proprietor of a cafe at Fourth and Arch streets, was found not guilty by Police Judge Mariano yesterday.

Panetta was arrested by Patrolman John V. Wilkie after Wilkie said he acted on a statement made to him by Nora Williams, 18, of 625 North Front street.

The girl testified she and several other girls bought beer in the place last Christmas night and again on New Year’s Eve, from two waitresses whom she described as “Betty” and “Harriet.” She declared she had bought beer on several previous occasions at the cafe, and identified Elizabeth Matlack, 1287 Thurman street, as “Betty.”

Panetta testified he “keeps a strict watch” on his place and that the girl could not have been served without him knowing it. He said whenever he thinks a customer is under age, he gets the suspected person to sign a card.

Prosecutor Mitchell Cohen asked that a conviction be found, pointing out that the girl was the only “disinterested witness,” while the others were “members of the family and an employee.”

In freeing Panetta Judge Mariano declared the state “had not borne the burden of proof and that the benefit of the doubt must be given to the defendant.”

Charged with Robbing Couples on ‘Lover’s Lane,’ Camden

Beckett Listed as Material Witness After Serving 6 Months for Assault

Raymond Beckett, 24, who police said confessed participation in the holdup-murder of Harry C. Armstrong, ferry toll collector, on July 17, last year, was held without bail for the grand jury yesterday as a “material witness” in the case.

Beckett will complete a six month county jail sentence for assault and battery today. County Detective James J. Mulligan appeared before Acting Police Judge Mitchell Cohen and asked that he be held for the grand jury, and the court complied.

Beckett, a resident of Bedford, Pa., was arrested after he allegedly had informed his wife “he could not come to Camden, because of a murder mixup there.” Later Beckett implicated two other Camden men in the slaying, according to police. The case is still being investigated.

Armstrong, veteran employee of the Pennsylvania Railroad, was shot by two “white-pants” bandits early on the morning of July 17, when he sounded an alarm as they attempted to hold him up in the ferry toll booth at the Market street ferries.

Prosecutor, Republican, Says Pay Will Go to Ill Predecessor Who Resigned

The City Commission yesterday appointed City Prosecutor Mitchell Cohen to the vacancy on the Board of Freeholders caused by the resignation of James S. Smith, of the Second ward.

The action was taken at a special meeting of the commission attended by all five commissioners. Cohen’s appointment was by unanimous vote, Mayor George E. Brunner explaining that Smith was a Republican and “it is only right that a Republican should be named as his successor.”

Cohen, who is 34 and has been an attorney for 10 years, said he will turn over the salary to Smith and will relinquish the seat on the board to Smith when he gets well. Cohen lives at 500 Cooper street. He is Republican leader in the Second ward.

“I think it is to the best interests of the people of the ward and the city in general that the Second ward is given a voice again on the board of freeholders,” Cohen said.

Convicted in Police Court After Couple and Five Neighbors Complain of Radio Din

Cohen Threatens Move as Driver Refuses for Third Time to Sign

Johnson, Garrity Move as Aaron Shifts Officers

Prosecutor Replaces DiMona; Anthony Lario Is Chosen

Benjamin J. Dzick, city prosecutor since 1942, today was named municipal judge of Camden by Director of Public Safety Aaron, replacing Police Court Judge John R. DiMona.

At the same time, Aaron appointed Anthony M. Lario to the post of city prosecutor, with both appointments to become effective Saturday.

The new designation as municipal court judge instead of police court judge is one of the provisions set up in the reorganization of the state’s entire judiciary two years ago.

Dzick, named for a three-year term… (Continued on Page 3—Column 6)

Benjamin Dzick — Anthony M. Lario — John R. DiMona — E. George Aaron — Mitchell H. Cohen — Rocco Lario — Frank M. Lario — Dr. David S. Rhone — Chris Miller — Pine Street — North 35th Street

Charles R. Lamoreaux, Haddon Heights builder and real estate operator, and his wife, Ada T., were indicted Thursday by the Camden county grand jury for obtaining money under false pretenses.

The jury handed up 41 other true bills to County Judge Palese in its final presentation of the year.

Lamoreaux and his wife, president and secretary, respectively, of the New Era Construction Co., are accused of taking $700 from David Hedgpeth, of 2145 North Marvine street, Philadelphia, after they promised to build a House on White Horse pike at Lawnside.

In another indictment, Lawrence Bleichner, of 416 Market street, was charged with passing a worthless check for $100, Oct. 30.

Other Indictments

Among the indictments are 16 for non-support and desertion, three for atrocious assault and battery, three for assault and battery, eight for receiving stolen goods, two for breaking, entering and larceny; one for larceny by bailee, two for obtaining money under false pretenses, four for morals offenses, one for defrauding a hotelkeeper, one ABC liquor violation and one for assault with intent to kill.

Prosecutor Cohen lauded the “faithful and painstaking” work of the jury and listed the following “interesting” statistics: The panel heard 237 cases from Sept. 6, when it was sworn; listened to 275 witnesses, returned 153 true bills and handed up 84 no bills of indictment.

Cohen said the figures mark a 38 percent decrease in the number of cases heard during the last months of the year, as compared to the beginning of 1950.

Lawrence Bleichner — Mitchell Cohen — Rocco Palese — Market Street

A difficult case that Mitchell H. Cohen investigated in 1953 while County Prosecutor was that of the tragic suicide of James S. Wilkie, son of a veteran Camden police officer, John V. Wilkie. For several days after the shooting, Sgt. Wilkie claimed that he had shot his son, in order that he receive a Catholic funeral. He retracted his confession after it became apparent that he could not deceive the city and county investigators, and was released after the grand jury refused to return an indictment.

This tragic case saw the involvement of many of Camden’s law enforcement and legal community, including Benjamin Asbell, Wilfred Dube, Thomas Murphy, James J. Mulligan, J. James Hainsworth, Samuel P. Orlando, John Healey, and Joseph Bennie, among others.

Youth, 17, Found Suicide in Home By Officer

The 17-year-old son of Camden Police Sgt. John V. Wilkie was found shot to death in his home early Sunday, with his father’s service revolver lying on the living room floor beneath his body.

James S. Wilkie, of 1144 Princess ave., was found by his father shortly after 2 a.m. Coroner John A. Healey, after an autopsy Sunday afternoon, said he was “satisfied the death was suicide.” He issued a death certificate with that finding.

Benjamin Asbell, first assistant prosecutor, with County Detective Chief James J. Mulligan, City Detective Capt. Thomas P. Murphy and Detective George Ellis, questioned Wilkie, two other Wilkie children, their friends and neighbors for more than three hours in detective headquarters Sunday night.

James went to his father’s second-floor front bedroom and took Wilkie’s .38-caliber police revolver from a chest of drawers and returned to the living room. James ordered his sister to tell Richard to return to the house, waved the gun and shouted: “If you don’t come in I’ll kill myself.”

The spent bullet was found near the body by Detectives Edward Shapiro and John Moffa. An autopsy at Cooper Hospital by Dr. William T. Read showed the bullet had been fired into the right temple and left through the left temple. Powder burns were found on the right side.

Wilkie, famed for years as Camden’s notebook cop, had been away from duty for several months because of illness. Wilkie said he felt the death might be accidental and expressed the possibility his son may have staggered and fallen with the loaded revolver. Wilkie said James had also been despondent since the death of another son, John, killed in a plane crash in Japan.

Camden NJ (AP)— A Camden city detective, Sgt. John V. Wilkie, is being held on a manslaughter charge in the shooting of his 17 year-old son.

Police said last night Wilkie told them his son was killed accidentally as he and the youth struggled for his service revolver Sunday morning.

The boy’s death had been called a suicide by Camden County Coroner John A. Healy. A pathology report indicated that the head wound sustained by the younger Wilkie was self-inflicted.

Camden County Prosecutor Mitchell H. Cohen said the detective told him he tried to take his own life after his son was shot but the pistol misfired.

Wilkie was charged with manslaughter and held in custody pending a hearing to set bail.

Probe Still Open; Will Confer On Funeral

Sgt. John V. Wilkie, Camden’s “notebook cop,” was transferred from the city jail to the county jail late Wednesday when he failed to raise $50,000 bail under which he is being held during the investigation of the fatal shooting Sunday of his son, James, 17.

The $50,000 bail was ordered by Prosecutor Cohen after Wilkie confessed shooting his son in the head accidentally during a struggle for the policeman’s service revolver in their Princess ave. home. Coroner John A. Healey, however, has listed the death of the youth as a suicide.

“There are many discrepancies in the various versions Wilkie has told me and there have been changes in the story itself,” Cohen said in commenting on the suicide report.

Prosecutor Cohen said he would permit the release of Wilkie, under guard, to attend his son’s funeral. The prosecutor today said the investigation is still “open.”

Will Go Over House

Cohen said he had ordered an inspection of the entire house, as well as ballistics and chemical tests on the Wilkie revolver and the bullet which pierced the young man’s head.

Wilkie walked into the prosecutor’s office shortly after 1 p.m. Tuesday and “confessed” he killed his son accidentally during the struggle for the gun. There is a belief among some of the investigators that the policeman, who has been on sick leave, concocted his story in the hope Catholic Church officials could be prevailed upon to allow a Catholic burial for the son.

Cut Considered After Retraction Of ‘Confession’

Police Sgt. John V. Wilkie, Camden’s notebook cop, remained in jail today in default of $50,000 bail despite his admission Thursday he “confessed” accidentally killing his son in an effort to have full burial rites of the Roman Catholic Church accorded the youth.

Wilkie’s admission of the fabrication as a desperate self-sacrificing attempt for his son came Thursday afternoon after he learned the church had reiterated that his son, James, 17, could not be given requiem rites and be buried in consecrated ground.

Asked about the continuing high bail, Prosecutor Mitchell Cohen said there has been “no request from Wilkie nor his attorney, Elmer Bertman, for reduction of bail.”

Cohen, however, continued, “In light of the new circumstances, I certainly would entertain such a request.”

Tells of Repudiation

“In the presence of Chief Mulligan and Capt. Dube of the county detectives staff; Capt. Murphy of the Camden City detective bureau; Samuel P. Orlando as a friend of Wilkie’s, and Fred Albert, court stenographer, Wilkie has made a statement which repudiates a ‘confession’ he made to me earlier this week.

“He states that he found his son, James, dead of a gunshot wound when he returned to his home early on the morning of Dec. 20. Wilkie states that he concocted his story that he and his son wrestled over possession of the gun, which was Wilkie’s service revolver, and that the gun was discharged accidentally.

“The bullet entered one temple and emerged from the other on a straight line instead of at an angle. The course the bullet took made it clear the shot was fired with deliberation by a gun held in the decedent’s hands or in some other hands.

“Since a complaint has been made and a court has instructed me to present this matter to the grand jury, I must do so. Therefore the charge of manslaughter will remain pending the grand jury’s deliberation.”

Funeral Director Recites Prayer

Police Sgt. John V. Wilkie, whose “confession” that he accidentally killed his son proved to be a hoax, remained in the county jail today during the funeral of his 17-year-old son, James. Wilkie is being held in county jail in default of $50,000 bail pending submission of his case to the grand jury.

James, whose death on Dec. 20 was officially declared a suicide, was buried from the Robert J. Blake Funeral Home, 851 Haddon ave. Only about 20 persons were present, and there was no formal service of any kind.

James was buried in the rain in New Camden Cemetery, Mt. Ephraim and Ferry aves., a nondenominational cemetery, also without any formal service. Blake recited the Lord’s Prayer as the casket was lowered.

Cohen said no request for reduction of Wilkie’s $50,000 bail had been made, but that he would consider such a request if it is received. He said he had no alternative but to present all the facts in the Wilkie case to the grand jury.

‘Going Home and Take Care of My Children’

Police Sgt. John V. Wilkie was released from the Camden County jail late Wednesday afternoon shortly after the grand jury returned a no bill on a manslaughter charge against the veteran policeman in the death of his son James Wilkie, 17.

Wilkie, as he was released from the county jail, told Undersheriff Charles O’Keefe he was “going home and take care of my children, they are my only concern now.”

Wilkie surrendered at police headquarters and said he had accidentally shot his son in a struggle for possession of his service revolver. Wilkie was confined to the county jail in default of $50,000 bail on a manslaughter charge. Last Thursday, Wilkie admitted to Prosecutor Cohen he had concocted the story of shooting his son in an attempt to obtain the full burial rites of the Roman Catholic Church for his son.

Cohen accepted the withdrawal of Wilkie’s “confession” but said he would have to submit the case to the grand jury. Cohen summoned Wilkie’s two other children, Richard, 16, and Theresa, 14, and City Detective Capt. Thomas Murphy before the jury Wednesday.

Murphy was questioned by the jurors 25 minutes and Richard was in the jury room for 15 minutes. Theresa was dismissed less than a half hour before the jurors returned a no bill on the charge against the father.

Two youths who were trapped by police in a Gloucester City office building in October were indicted Thursday on five counts of breaking, entering and larceny. A third man, who was later implicated in the cases, was also named in the indictments.

The defendants are Richard Hackett, 19, of Buckingham ave., Sewell; John Cristinzo, 19, of Morse and Carmen sts., who were nabbed in the building, and George Laute, 24, of the 100 block Yale ave., Gloucester Heights.

The indictments were among 95 returned before Superior Judge Schalick by the outgoing September term grand jury. Camden County Prosecutor Cohen told the court that grand juries in 1957 handled a “record number of cases.” He said they handled 1295 cases, with indictments returned in about 65 percent of the cases. The closest year to this record was 1952 when the grand juries handled 1080 cases.

Orvyl Schalick — John Christinzo — Morse Street — Carman Street

Henry W. Peterson, former secretary of the South Jersey Port Commission, changed his plea in Camden County Court from not guilty to no defense to charges of malfeasance in office and false swearing.

The charges grew out of a grand jury investigation of the Port Commission, which operates the Camden Marine Terminal. Peterson, of Woodbury, entered the plea through his attorney, J. Claud Simon, Thursday before Camden County Judge Cohen.

Cohen said he would sentence Peterson June 23. He ordered a pre-sentence investigation. The indictments were returned against Peterson, former Woodbury mayor, in January.

Camden County Prosecutor Heine said at that time that the indictments charged Peterson with malfeasance in office as the result of padding his expense in the amount of $2000 between 1958 and 1959. The other indictment listed four counts of false testimony before the grand jury on September 10.