The Nation - News from Oct. 4, 1988

Opening statements in the influence-peddling trial of former Miss America Bess Myerson will begin today as scheduled, a judge said after a closed-door meeting with a defendant and lawyers in the case. Judge John Keenan said the secret hearing “was related to the health of one of the defendants and had nothing to do with issues of the case.” He declined to elaborate. Those present included Myerson co-defendant Hortense Gabel, 75, who retired as a state Supreme Court justice shortly after the Myerson scandal came to public attention. Gabel, frail and nearly blind, arrived at U.S. District Court in New York leaning on the arm of her husband, Milton, for support. Also present at the meeting were Gabel’s lawyer, Michael Feldberg, and two other defense lawyers, Jay Goldberg and Fred Hafetz.