What is one of the oldest reason in the world for murder? GREED.
(From Washington State Archives)
(This record is available on Ancestry.com, they have many criminal records on site.)
Some newspaper articles with photos:
https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-spokane-press-archie-frank-otto-mooc/191328845/
https://www.newspapers.com/article/star-phoenix-archie-moock/191382626/
Death certificate from Ancestry.com
After reading all the newspaper articles and the court record, my opinion is he was guilty. They found the letters in his back yard and he was at the scene of the crime and the roofing hammer was in the car which all belonged to his friend. It maybe a lot of circumstantial evidence but that's all you need for a jury to find you guilty.
(From Washington State Archives)
Inmate: #13179 Washington State Prison
Rec: 27 Jun 1930
Crime: Murder 1st Degree
Term: Death
Age: 34
Archie Frank Otto Moock(or Much) was born 16 Nov 1896 in Yorkton, Saskatchewan, Canada. To Emil Moock & Matilda Reimann. He was married to Augustine (Teeny or Tena) Shauer. They had five children: Diana, Bruce, Wilma, Jacqueline & Edward (all deceased).
(This record is available on Ancestry.com, they have many criminal records on site.)
Victim: Mrs. Catherine Clark a divorcee from Boston, MA.
Some newspaper articles with photos:
https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-spokane-press-archie-frank-otto-mooc/191328845/
Spokane Chronicle
Tue, Sep 25, 1928 ·Page 11
Nellie Tuttle wrote a question about Archie
The Spokane Press
Fri, Mar 21, 1930 ·Page 1
The Spokane Press
Tue, Sep 25, 1928 ·Page 1
https://www.newspapers.com/article/star-phoenix-archie-moock/191382626/
The weapon was a hatchet aka roofing hammer
Photo from newspaper where Catherine's body was found
Here's the link for the State Vs Moock/Much
Man confesses to murdering Catherine as he heads to the gallows
Archie was executed on 12 Sep 1930 at 4:07 pm
Death certificate from Ancestry.com
Below is a photo of Archie's car source newspaper article and State of Washington archives.
After reading all the newspaper articles and the court record, my opinion is he was guilty. They found the letters in his back yard and he was at the scene of the crime and the roofing hammer was in the car which all belonged to his friend. It maybe a lot of circumstantial evidence but that's all you need for a jury to find you guilty.
One last article I found was about his son Edward the youngest child who got his arm caught in the wringer.
What are your thoughts on the case? Leave a comment and please click the follow button, thank you.
I think you're right: greed motivates a lot of awful things. Sad that Catherine fell for his trap. Probably quite the intrigue in its day.
ReplyDeleteI agree, Catherine was a lonely heart looking for love and ended up a victim to a greedy monster.
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