The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1921-09-16
FATTY FACES TRIAL
FOR LIFE ON CHARGE OF
KILLING MISS RAPPE
Decision Comes After the
Hearing Before Police
Judge Lazarus.

| Il
-(By the Associated Press.)-
Brady announced in the police
court of Judge Sylyain Lazarus
today that 1.-THE people are
ready to proceed ON the murder
charge against Roscoe c.
(~Fatty'0 ArbuckIe, who is
held responsible by the author
tiles for the death of Miss Vir-
ginia Rappe, a motion picture
actress.
The announcement came aft
eF a conference between Brady
and police officials, called for
the purpose of deciding which
of the four charges against Ar
buckle would be tried. There
are two murder and two man.
slaughter charges pending
against ArbuckIe.
a crowd of approximately 500
mostly men, assembled outside the
court room before the session
started, and a special police de-
tail was stationed in the crowded
corridors.
Court officials explained that
even if Arbuckle is held on the
murder charge, it may be reduced
later in the trial court if the evil
dence does not justify its prosecu-
ton. The murder charge itself IN
cludes the minor charge of man
slaughter and a trial can be had
and a verdict returned on either
charge, even though murder is the
only charge showing on the docket
| i was explained.
San Francisco, Cal, Sept. L.
Roscoe (''Fatty'D ArbuckIe viii go
on trial on a charge in connection
with the death OF Miss Virginia
Rape within the next three weeks,
District Attorney Matthew Brady
announced last night
L am going ahead with the pros
ecution of this case with all the
speed possible" he said Il ex-
pect to be ready for trial in about
three weeks and / believe the de-
Tense will be. too"
The district attorney declared he
had several reasons for making no
decision at a conference with his
department and police officials to-
day as to whether to try the El:z
star on a charge OF murder or
manslaughter.
Brady Sure of Conviction.
we think we have sufficient eyi-
dence to convict Arbuckle of mUr-
der" he said, but that is up to
the committing magistrate.
ArbUckle was TO be arraigned
before Police Judge Sylvan I4az-
arus today for preliminary exam
ination on charge of murder pre-
ferred by Mrs. B. M. Delmonte.
Attorneys for the film star yes
terda,y deposited $4,000 cash bail
to cover the manslaughter charge,
and should District Attorney Brady
announce his decision TO prosecute
on that charge alone and diamiss
the murder complaint, Arbuckle
would be eligible for release.
Should decision be made to prose-
cute for murder, however, ArbuckIe
would be forced TO remain in jail,
unless his counsel could arrange
for bail on this charge. Under Cal
ifornia law first degree murder Is
not baiiable offense.
Probe Liquor Sources.
Federal investigation into the
source of the liquor alleged to
have been consumed at the Ar
buckle party in a hotel suite here.
at which Miss Rape is said to
have suffered injuries which led to
her death, has been carried TO Los
Angeles.
The body OF Miss Virginia Rappe.
according to announcement, Will be
sent to Hollywood. Cal, probably
late today. Hollywood. a suburb
of Los Angeles. is the city Of the
motion picture people.
Witnesses in the ArbuckIe case
are being watched and guarded by
police to prevent their possible in
timidation. Police officials stated
this step was taken, in some caseA
at the request of witnesses them
selves.
Men Try TO Rush Court
Arbuckle. surrounded by his at
torneys. stood up at the counsel
table during the brief session. A
crowd of men tried 70 rush the
court room door just before the
hearing started, but were headed
off by the police.
Frank L. DoEllnguez, cnleI cOun-
sci for ArbUckle, asked for 10
DAYS continuance following Brady's
statement The district attorney
objected. saying five days should be
sufficient.
Counsel for both sides conferred
between themselves and DOmInguez
then announced that they would
set Thursday by stipulation for the
hearing on the charge.