Los Angeles herald., 1906-01-20
WIFE RELENTS;
REASON RETURNS
TH0MPS0NS INSANITY VAN
ISHES WHEN LIBERATED
Spouse Refuses to Prosecute Charge
Of Enbezzlement and Second Time
Releases Husband From
Criminal Proceedings

"If you're found within the limits of
Los Angeles by tomorrow morning you
will be arrested on complaint from the
district attorneys Office and we will
push this embezzlement case regard
less of whether your wife cares to tes-
tify or not"
Such was the statement made yester-
day by Deputy District Attorney F'lem-
ing to DR.. William Thompson, husband
of n wealthy Venice woman.
"Dr. Thompson experienced one of
the most remarkable days In his long
career yesterday. He was to have been
examined during the afternoon before
Justice Pierce of the township court
on charge Of having extorted a check
of $4,000 from his wife.
Just before noon, however, his wife
appeared before the district attorney
and said that she would not testify
against her husband and therefore he
should be released.
His release was ordered and Mrs.
Thompson went to the Jail to assure
herself that her husband was liberated.
For several days, since his second ar
rest. Thompson had been shamming in
sanity and yesterday, when the depu-
ties entered his cell to release him, he
Immediately took up this role and
gazed blankly at them.
Your wife refuses to prosecute and
wants you liberated" said the deputy,
so you had better get out"
Quickly Regalns Sanity
The change in the mans face was
wonderful to see. Like u flash his in
sanity vanished and he hurried out OF
prison. met his wife and the two en-
tered a cab and went to dinner.
In the afternoon DIR. Thompson again
aCcDD1nDnipH tn ~ 1ft
house, where she filed suit for divorce
against him on cruelty and statutory
grounds and named Mrs. Edith Thomp-
son of Boulder, Colo, as correspondent
The two left the court house, arm
in arm, but Thompson was later taken
back to Deputy Fleming, who ordered
him to leave town before twenty-four
hours. The physician went to the Jail
and stayed there until a carriage ar
rived, whereupon he climbed in and
announced his intention of leaving Los
Angeles on the night train. 1t is thought
he will return to Boulder.
Thompson enjoyed meteoric career
in Los Angeles. He married wealthy
widow at San Diego several months
ago and the two came TO Venice and
spent the winter there.
Banks Refuse Checks
During Christmas week Mrs. Thomp-
son sold some of her property and had
about $4,000 in the Venice bank. on
December 30 Thompson is alleged to
have gone to his wife's room, placed a
revolver on the table and requested a
donation Of $4,000.
She signed and it is alleged Thomp-
son raised the check to $4,000, but the
bank officials refused to cash the check
and swore out complaint agains!
Thompson.
His wife bailed him out of Jail
While in Los Angeles several nights
later he escaped from her by leapine
from car on the Angels fight. He
was arrested on a train near River
side by Deputy Sheriff Frank Cochran
and returned to Los Angeles the next
day.
At that time his wife swore out a
second complaint against him and an
nounced that she would prosecute it.
Since that time charges of bigamy were
brought against the man, particularly
relating to a woman in Colorado.
Yesterday his wife asked for his re-
lease, saying that she did not want to
be the wife of convict.