The Mossler Murder Trial

The story begins in Miami Florida in 1964. The rich and famous sip martinis from their beach side cabanas and at night listen to the tunes of Guy Lombardo. Jacques and Candy Mossler were from Houston and rich beyond their wildest dreams. Jacques had made a small fortune in the automobile finance industry and then turned that fortune into a $33 million dollar fortune by investing in banks that specialized in consumer credit after the war when everyone wanted a new a new automobile and a houseful of furniture. To say he was a brilliant financial businessman would be quite an understatement. He owned banks in Chicago and New York and had recently opened a new branch in Miami.

On June 29th around 4:30 AM the police get a call from Candy Mossler from Key Biscayne's most exclusive condo.. The Governor's Lodge. At unit 2c Candy is waiting for them and the police walk into a crime scene. Jacques Mossler is splayed out on the floor with 39 stab wounds to his chest and his head caved in with an ashtray. Candy tells the officers that at 4:30 AM she returned to the condo, found her husband and called police. Candy further states that she last saw her husband at 1:00 AM when she and the children went to a local hospital to get some migraine medicine. Strangely enough she stops along the way to mail a letter at a local hotel.

Right from the git go the police are assuming a crime of passion. The police normally look for a friend or family member as opposed to a stranger in these types of situations. However, things are about to get stranger.

When police take Candy downtown for questioning she insists it must have been a burglary gone wrong since $500 was missing from Jacques wallet. But when they tell her they think it was a crime of passion she quickly comes up with a new theory. She claims Jacques was having an affair.. with a man. That makes some sense since he was found nude, it may have been a male lover who became enraged for whatever reason. Or at least that's what the cops think at first. There is a ton of speculation in the news about that little revelation. But that speculation is quickly trumped when investigators find Jacques diary.

It turns out Candy is the one hiding the dirty little secret.. She is having an affair. One of the entries in his diary said "if they don't kill me I will have to kill them". Nothing was about to hit the coast of Florida harder than the sorted secrets that were about to be revealed. In any case there was little doubt that this was going to be a very high profile case no matter what. At the Mossler's condo police find fresh fingerprints that don't belong to anyone at the condo. Then at the Miami International airport another mysterious clue. A Mossler company car abandoned in the parking garage. Inside fresh blood and fingerprints that match those in the condo.

Candy may have been behaving strangely but given the nature of Jacques business dealings, the police can leave no stone unturned. They must first look at the man behind the millions. Jacques Mossler was a corporate repo man who made a lot of enemies since folks don't like it when their new car or refrigerator is repossessed. He was born in Romania and immigrated to the United States with his parents as a young boy and spent a little bit of time in New York and then ended up in Chicago. He was a classic immigrant boot strapper story. At age 13, after his father died he quit school to help support his family. He started out as a news boy but soon found a better paying job in the world of loan sharking. A few years later he wound up in the finance department of a car dealership. This was roughly 1920 when automobiles were booming in America. Jacques had found his calling. With all the soldiers coming home from war and wanting a new car and a house full of furniture business was a boom. He ended up with about 40 consumer credit companies and banks located in Chicago, New York, New Orleans, Houston, and south Florida. His slogan was "We are the Yes Bank" meaning that they would say yes when everyone else said no to your car loan. In the late 1920's Jacques married his longtime girlfriend Evelyn, moved to New Orleans and together they raised four children. But his personal life suffered as a result of his hard work and they divorced in 1947 after their kids were raised. But Jacques didn't stay single for long. Months after his divorce a blond divorcee named Candy who had all the charm of a Marilyn Monroe walked into his life and changed it forever.

Candy was a 28 year old lovely young thing who would charm all the pants off anyone. Jacques was smitten at once. Candice Weatherby was born on a farm in Buchanan Georgia, one of 12 poor but happy children. After dropping out of high school, Candy married a young engineer and had two children. But being a housewife wasn't in the cards for Candy. Buchanan got way too small for Candy so she got a divorce, packed up the kids and moved to New Orleans. There she opened the Candice finishing school and Modeling Agency. She was soon hobnobbing with the social elite.

It has been said more than once that when God made Candy, He threw away the mold. She had a southern, honey dripping accent and when she spoke it was my love this and honey that and when she walked into a room and said "Hello Y'all" the honey just dripped from her lips and all heads turned. She was always coiffed perfectly and her she was always in the latest fashion. Candy got involved with the New Orleans Opera becoming one of their top fundraisers. On her list of perspective donors was freshly divorced millionaire Jacques Mossler. She asked for $300 and he gave $25. As a corporate repo man he was rather tight with his money. Jacques and Candy were married just six months after they met.

Marrying Jacques came with a posh new home in Houston, a 28 room mansion in the exclusive neighborhood of River Oaks. The mansion was beautifully decorated and Candy had it really well in Houston. She had a $5000 a month allowance and a husband who loved her. In fact, he lavished her with the finest jewelery and new cars that money could buy. But candy didn't settle for just being a trophy wife, she sat on the board of directors at Jacques company and by all accounts did a fine job of it. She filled the role much the same way Jackie Kennedy filled the role of first lady, all the while carrying out her charity work.

She was also involved in the rodeos in Houston which was a very big deal there and always in the social columns and that sort of thing. Her charity work went well beyond the local events. On a business trip to Chicago she heard about a terrible crime in which a man had shot and killed his wife and there were four children left in that marriage so she talked Jacques into adopting those kids. The Mossler was getting pretty crowded but as far as Candy was concerned there was always room for one more, especially where family was concerned. One day her older sister called her and said she was having problems with her son Melvin and asked if she and Jacques take him in to keep him out of trouble and find him a job. Candy immediately said yes.

A few days later the 17 year old showed up on their doorstep. Melvin Lane powers was a big tall handsome man who looked like he played professional football. Over six feet tall with jet black hair. Jacques gave him a job at his company and trained him for a career in finance. Candy dressed him in designer suits and introduced him to the society set. Over the next two years young Melvin seemed to be living the high life but behind closed doors there was something illicit going on. You can't keep secrets from the hired help at the mansion and soon there was talk that Candy was having an affair with her 19 year old nephew. One of the maids at the mansion finally tipped Jacques off and in a rage he searched for Candy's diary and when he finally found it his worst fears came true. 41 year old Candy and her 19 year old nephew were having an affair.

Soon there was a lot of talk around town that Candy's roots were showing. As has been stated in the past "you can take the girl out of Georgia but you can't take the Georgia out of the girl". The first thing Jacques does is go to a lawyer intending to bring a lawsuit against his nephew for ruining his marriage but the lawyer advised him against it saying that the publicity would be terrible for his image. Instead he recommends that Jacques simply just get Melvin out of his life. So Jacques kicks Melvin out of his house and fires him from his job. But Melvin doesn't go quietly. He has a few choice words for Jacques such as "I will be back and you will regret this as the longest day of your life".

In July of 1964, the Jacques Mossler murder mystery tops the list of summer reading fare in Miami. And with the tabloids and gossip columnists picking up the trail, police are under enormous pressure to solve the case. The case heats up when the police learn that two months before the murder Jacques had uncovered his wife's incestuous affair. Coupled this with the fact that the police figured it had to be someone that Jacques knew, it made for Melvin Lane Powers being the prime suspect. They also knew that Candy didn't do it as she was not there and simply wasn't physically big enough to do that much damage to Jacques.

On the other hand, Melvin lane Powers looked as though he did have the physical strength to do the job. The police also learn that even after Mel was kicked out of the mansion Jacques couldn't keep the lovebirds apart. With the Mosslers married in name only, Mel and Candy carry on their torrid affair. In one love letter to Candy Mel writes "you are my God and I would do anything for your love". The police also have that piece of evidence as well.

Police find an airline ticket agent who knew them and on one occasion she remembered Candy being there in a fur coat but when the coat opened Candy was naked underneath. Naughty, naughty girl. When it came to Mel, Candy had no shame and why should she.. She wasn't about to divorce Jacques and if he divorced him she could have her cake and eat it too. If candy filed for divorce she would get only $200,000 and Jacques understood that under prevailing law in Florida if he divorced her Candy was liable to get half of his estate which was worth $33.5 million at the time.

With the marriage broken beyond repair, Jacques moved into his condo in Key Biscayne and ran his empire from there. The police also learn that Mel was there too. He was seen at a Holiday inn bar which is only a couple of blocks from Jacques condo at the Governor's Lodge, just a few hours before Jacques was murdered. Not long after last call at the bar, someone would pay Jacques Mossler a surprise visit and leave him in a pool of blood.

Airline records indicate that Mel bought a ticket back to Houston just hours after the murder. Detectives also learn that the car left in the airport garage was signed out by Candy. The police then get a warrant for Mel's residence and find the clothes he was wearing that night with specs of blood all over them and then learn that his finger prints match the one's found in the condo and in the car. Mel Powers is arrested for the Murder of Jacques Mossler.

But Candy is determined to get Mel the best defense her dead husbands money can buy... Percy Foreman, one of Houston's best defense lawyers known for being flamboyant and getting clients off in a flash. Candy is all over the news telling everyone how Percy has been a family friend for years. Family friend maybe but never the less he wanted $200,000 cash up front to take the case but the Mossler money was tied up. No problem. Candy invited the lawyer over and he helped himself through her jewels and furs for his fee. Jacques Mossler must have rolled over in his grave knowing that his money was going to be used to defend his murderer.

With Mel in good hands, Candy flies to Minnesota for months of migraine treatments. Her absence lends itself to the mystery of the whole affair. But she isn't going to be able to hide from the evidence the police are about to turn up. The police develop several other individuals, one a carnival worker and another gas station attendant, all who had some connection to the Mossler family who claimed that Candy and Mel had offered them $10,000 to kill Jacques but they refused to do the job.

Another jailbird with a long rap sheet claimed Mel offered him $7000 to do the job but he didn't go through with it either. More than a year after Jacques Mosslers death Candy is indicted on solicitation of murder charges. She immediately arms herself with two more of Houston's elite attorneys, Marion Rosen and the renowned Clyde Woody. Candy's lawyers advise her to fly from Rochester Minnesota back to Miami to surrender herself to authorities. The most sensational trial of the decade was slated to kick off in January of 1966. Top reporters like Dominick Dunne and others from all over the world representing the Saturday evening post and the New York Daily News to name a few as well as tons of local Floridians wanted a front row seat for the circus.

Candy flies back from Rochester Minnesota and at the Miami International Airport she surrenders herself to police. Her and her lawyers discuss that she will have to stay in jail for a while but that it is OK as that will eventually help her case. She agrees and has no problem staying in jail for a few days. As she is coming down the corridor, dressed beautifully as usual, one of the reporters runs up to her and says Ms. Mossler you have been accused of incest, you have been accused of adultery and you've been accused of murder what do you have to say to that?

She bats her eyes smiled and says "Well Suh, nobody is perfect", all the while giving an impression as if to say "why are you prosecuting me I had nothing to do with this and will be found innocent". That was her position from day one. But that little comment made front page news. Candy enters a plea of not guilty is fingerprinted and booked. She trades her diamonds and furs for a jailhouse jumpsuit. She spends fourteen days in the Dade county jail before being released. In true Candy fashion her release became a glitzy photo op. While the other inmates all screamed obscenities she blew them and the cameras all kisses as if she were on the red carpet. Usually defendants don't talk to the press but Candy handled herself so beautifully her lawyers let her have at it.

Candy was a star who loved the spotlight and her fans loved her. As she is leaving the jail surrounded by reporters she is asked how she feels about Miami and she replies how she loves Miami and all the good people of Miami. They also want to know if she intends to return to Miami before the trial and she says she would love to as she simply adores all the good people of Miami as do her grandchildren one of whom she is holding at the time of the interview.

As the trial date approaches the spotlight only grows. This case had everything.. an socialite having an incestuous affair with her nephew, a murder and millions at stake. Despite her increasing popularity, prosecutors aren't charmed. They believe her alibi is shakey at best after all somebody of candy's affluence could easily afford to have a Doctor come and visit her and had no need to go out to a hospital at 1:00 in the morning. She also had a very obvious motive.. all that money and Mel to boot. It all made sense to the prosecutors.. Melvin had nothing except but wants Candy and the money.. Candy had exactly the same motive; Mel and the money.

Everyone expected a very quick trial. Normally you come to court with the wife having an affair with her nephew and having her husband killed for the money with the added benefit of having a continuing relationship with the love of her life one would expect an open and shut case. The question for Mel's lawyers was would the jury believe that that short time Mel was in Florida was he their just for the one purpose, that being to kill Jacques? The prosecution thought they had the cat in the bag. But when you are facing a defendant with a boatload of money and a ton of charm, justice almost always takes a back seat. The coverage of this trial was absolutely ridiculous. Wall to wall coverage in every magazine and newspaper around plus radio and television.

This trial was so scandalous and outrageous in fact that courtroom spectators were turned away at the door if they were under 21. But they could read all about each juicy tidbit of the days events in the Miami Herald which printed all the latest on hot pink paper.

On February 6th 1966 the Jacques Mossler murder trial opens in Miami. Journalists from across the country and around the world surround the courthouse and can be found in every nook and cranny. The story was reported breathlessly at a time when there wasn't a lot of breathless reporting. People are lined up for blocks to get a seat. They brought their lunches and when a couple got up to leave the bailiff would go out to the hall where the throngs who were waiting and tell them he had "two on the aisle". It was an absolute circus. During a courthouse interview with Candy and one of her sons he states that he had made up all his work so that he could come to make sure that they "didn't lock his mother up again".

As the trial finally gets started the public is in a frenzy. One lady in line to get in the court house is asked by a reporter what the big attraction was. She says "the excitement and intrigue of it all and that it was an unusual case". For Candy and Mel's lawyers there was no getting around the fact that they were having an affair for a long period of time but that is not what they were on trial for. Remember they had Mel's fingerprints at the crime scene, specs of blood on the clothing he was wearing the night of Jacques murder, and a witness who put him blocks away from the murder scene. Percy's defense for the fingerprints was to say that there were thirty other fingerprints at the crime scene. But those would have likely been there from invited guests and Melvin Powers would not have been invited to Jacques condo. For weeks the two sides battle it out inside the courtroom. But outside it's Candy's show. She is signing autographs and joking with the press and is received coming and going much as an Oscar winning actress would be arriving for the Emmys.

Inside the courtroom, the prosecutors continue their attack on Mel and Candy. After airing all the sorted details of the incestuous affair the prosecution swings for the fences with their case against Mel and candy. They put several witnesses on the stand.. some in handcuffs and all with rap sheets. What the defense had found out was that these were derelicts from Texas and Arkansas who were in jail there and who would say anything just because they wanted a free trip to Miami. One witness was asked where he liked to shoot up. He thought for a moment and said he liked to shoot up in his apartment the best. Even one of the jurors wondered why the prosecution had called such unreliable witnesses.

Obviously the cast of ex cons witnesses leave a dubious impression at best. The prosecution probably had a very winnable case based on the direct and circumstantial evidence but insisted on taking it too far. Mel and Candy's lawyers suddenly realize that the tide has just turned in their favor and the case is now theirs to lose. In a strategic move, the defense does not call a single witness which, under Florida law, gives them the right to the last closing argument. That is where Percy Foreman shown.

Leave any person in a room with Percy Foreman for longer than an hour and they would believe the moon was truly made out of green cheese. By the end of closing arguments the courtroom and the jury are split. One juror said afterwards that their were some who felt that Mel and Candy were guilty but he and the others did not. He further stated that it didn't get heated right away but after a while the arguments in the jury room got very hostile. After four days of contentious deliberation the jury finally reaches a verdict. The jury is called in as are the defendants and lawyers and reporters, the judge takes the bench and the Foreman reads the verdict.. NOT GUILTY!! The courtroom erupts in cheers.

With an OJ style verdict the courtroom is in bedlam. One of the reporters asks Candy if she and Mel intend to get married. She replies "of course not" as if it were the furthest thing from her mind. After the Judge finally restored order, Candy kissed all the jurors, grabbed Mel's arm and drove off in the sunset in a gold Cadillac. What a finale!! When Candy and Mel walk out of the Miami courtroom unscathed the state feels the sting of defeat. When the states witnesses fell apart on cross examination, the jury felt there wasn't enough evidence to convict. But some observers feel it was Candy's charm alone that doomed the prosecution. Had Mel been on trial alone a conviction would have almost been certain but in order to convict Mel they had to consider convicting Candy and she just had too much money and charm for that. She charmed everyone in the courtroom including the jurors.

Back in Houston Candy and Mel pick up where they left off. They went together for a while and then drifted apart. Mel got involved in the building business which candy helped him start and he went on to become a very successful builder. Candy ran Jacques business and increased it's worth to the tune of $100 million by 1975. She turned out to be a very shrewd and savvy business woman. As for the murder of Jacques Mossler it remains officially unsolved. The district attorney refuses to re investigate the case as they are convinced that Mel and Candy murdered Jacques Mossler. In 1976 at the hotel Fountain Blue, Candy Mossler died in her sleep after an overdose of migraine medication. Some speculate it was a tragic accident.. others claim her conscience finally got the best of her.