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By Craig T. Kojima, Star-Bulletin
After receiving her sentence of 20 years for killing her
husband, Cheryl Mosier is hugged by a member of his
family, Diane Mosier. At left are Cheryl's father and
stepmother, Donald and Sherry Sweigart.

Victim’s family
supports, forgives killer

Her lawyer calls it a
'reaffirmation of the heart'

---

By Debra Barayuga
Star-Bulletin

They sat on opposite sides of the courtroom -- one was the victim's family, the other was the defendant's family.

But they were united in their support of Cheryl Mosier, 45, as she was sentenced yesterday by Circuit Judge Richard Perkins to 20 years imprisonment for manslaughter in the slaying of her husband, Harbin "Dickie" Mosier, in April.

The generosity and goodness exhibited by members of both families was a "reaffirmation of the human heart and spirit," said Cheryl Mosier's attorney, Howard Luke. "They sit on opposite sides of the court, but are joined together in their suffering, sorrow and goodwill."

Yesterday, members of Dickie Mosier's family asked that justice prevail and, for the sake of the family, that Cheryl Mosier be held accountable.

But they openly forgave her and expressed concern that she receive treatment for her depression.

The family began healing when she apologized and showed she was willing to face the consequences, said Charles Mosier, the victim's brother.

By Craig T. Kojima, Star-Bulletin
Cheryl Mosier watches in tears as Harbin Richard
Mosier, her father-in-law, speaks in court.

"Cheryl, I don't hate you, not at all," said Harbin Richard Mosier, the victim's father, who flew in from Michigan. "It just hurts so terribly bad in the option you chose."

He said his daughter-in-law had alternatives other than the one she chose. Because of her actions, his son will never see his two sons graduate, get married, or know the joy of being a grandfather.

But he said his family will support her any way they can. "She is a member of the family. Her name is Mosier."

While her older brother was not perfect, his mistakes did not justify the taking of his life, wrote sister Sharon Harris of Tennessee, in a letter read by their mother, Helen "Puna" Mosier.

Harris said she was torn over loyalty to her brother, but Cheryl was more than a sister-in-law. "We laughed and cried together. We were family together."

Saying he shared in their pain and anguish, Donald Sweigart, Cheryl Mosier's father, thanked the family -- particularly the victim's mother, Helen, brother Charles and sister Sharon -- for their kindness and generosity in taking in the couple's two teen-age sons.

Cheryl Mosier, who had worked as a pharmacy assistant at Wahiawa General Hospital, has been described by those close to her as dedicated, loyal, hardworking and compassionate, Luke said.

But it was perhaps her loyalty to family that caused her depression and inability to cope, he said.

Mosier yesterday acknowledged and apologized to her two sons, her husband's family and friends for the tremendous suffering and grief she has caused them.

Particularly to her husband's mother, Helen "Puna" Mosier, "I live every day with the guilt and shame of what I have done," she said.

Last April, Cheryl Mosier was arrested for stabbing her husband, 44, in the neck at their Mililani home that they shared with their two sons and their mothers.

She also tried to take her life and bears the scars of that attempt.

Before she was led away, she and Helen Mosier embraced and cried as their respective family members did the same.

"I love you."