The New York herald., 1921-09-12
FATTY ARBUCKLE
in JAIL ACCUSED OF
NUMBERING ACTRESS
Film Star Held in San Fran
cisco Following Death of
Virginia Rappe.
ACTOR KEEPS SILENT
Refuses to Explain Charge
That He Attacked Girl in
Hotel Room.
DRINKING PARTY FATAL
Woman Said to Have Been One
Of Several He Invited
as Guests.

Special Despatch to THE New York HERALD.
SAN Francisco, Sept. 11.-Roscoe
(Fatty) Arbuckle. motion picture star,
Is in jail tonight In spite Of all efforts
by his lawyers to find some way to OBJ
tain his liberty. following a night in a
cell at headquarters. He was arrested
last night on charge OF murder as
a result of the death OF Virginia
Rappe, film actress, after a drinking
bout last Monday night in Arbuckle's
rooms at the Hotel st. Francis.
The charge OF murder was laid by
Detective Captain Duncan Mathe.on
under the section of the California
law interpreting as first degree mur-
der death resulting from the COM
mission or attempted commission Of
certain specified criminal acts. The
Rappe case falls within this classifica-
ton. 1t is alleged.
To Arbuckle himself, to Frank
Dominguez. his attorney, who accom-
panied him yesterday in an all day
journey from Los Angeles, to every
member OF his party the announce
ment that he would be booked for
murder came literally as an over
whelming shock.
Through four hours OF waiting In
the Hall Of Justice last night the very
worst the actor and his friends ex-
pected from the authorities was a
charge OF manslaughter.
Actor Dazed and silent.
That the progress Of the police in
vestigation into the drinking party at
the hotel warranted charge of murder
was the expressed opinion at midnight
OF Chief of Folice Daniel OBrien. AS
sistant District Attorney Milton U'Ren
and Captain or Detectives Duncan
Matheson. II was this trio that arrived
at the decision.
"'rhis woman" said Capt. Matheson.
without doubt died rs a result of an
attack by ArbuclSle. That makes It first
degree murder. We don't feel that a
man like Fatty Arbuckie can pull stun
like this IN San Francisco and get away
with it."
Asked the nature OF the evidence
obtained by the police to bear out
warrant charging murder. Capt. Mathe-
son declared II would not be revealed.
From the office of Captain Matheson.
almost exactly at midnight ArbuclSle
was conducted by detectives to the city
prison, where he was formally booked
FOR murder. without bail. He was as
signed to cell with bare furnishings.
Arbuckle had been cautioned by
Frank Dominguez, his Los Angeles at
torney. before yesterdays journey began
from the South, ito say no word to any
one, come what may
The rotund star agreed to obey the
lawyers injunction at the start from
Los Angeles. Consistently throughout
the day he resisted any and all at
tempts to get him 70 talk Even when
at midnight he staggered, red in face,
forlorn Of expression and weak OF knee
out Of the Office OF Capt. Matheson.
shocked at the seriousness OF the charge
against him. Arbuckle kept his word.
women's Clubs Demand Action.
Arbuckle's San Francisco attorney.
Charles Brennan. said Arbuckle could
add nothing to the statement TO the effect
that he was not aware OF any occur
renee which could have led TO Miss
Rappe's death. and denying he had been
In a room, alone with her
The announcement that the case will
20 before the Grand Jury Monday was
made by Harry Kelly, secretary OF the
body. following numerous requests from
members OF women's clubs and welfare
organizations that the case be looked
into thoroughly. Kelly said that District
Attorney Brady, who is out OF town,
probably will return to present the case
in person.
Efforts have been started 20 minimize
the effects OF the case on Arbucl<le and
last night his friends set on foot an ex-
tensive agitation in underground circles
70 extract him from his predcament as
quietly as possible.
Chief Of Police Daniel o'grien, Capt.
Mathcson and Mr.. U'Ren issued
ssgned statement as follows:
I'VE feel that this woman died rs
result ~ an attack made upon her b.
Arbucl;ie He either attempted a feio-
nious attack or committed a felonious
attack upon her. That is first degree
murder. and on that we we're unanimous.
Nobody can come TO San Francisco and
do thing like this and get away
with t.
eve believe that we have plenty or
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