The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-12-01
VIRGINIA RAPPE
DISEASED, SAYS
DOCTORS REPORT
Actress Afflicted With Chronic
Inflammation of Vital Organ.
Commission of Scientists Back
Up ArbuckIe Defense.
CASE TO JURY BY FRIDAY
Argument Due To Be Started
Late This Afternoon.
Now Estimated Trial VIII Cost
Fatty Near s15O,OOO.
CASE TO JURY BY FRIDAY


San Francisco, Dec. IA special
medical commissions report that the
bladder Of Miss Virginia Rape
showed evidence of chronic inflam-
nation and the presence of rupture
was submitted today in the Arbuekle
manslaughter trial.
Backs Defense Claim.
The defense contended that the
bladder rupture which caused Miss
Rappe's death was the climax of
chronic condition and not caused by
external force applied by Arbuckle as
the prosecution alleged. The prosecu-
ton was granted the privilege of eX-
amining the report
The commission was named by the
court and counsel for both sides. The
report was read by DIR. VIM. Ophuls,
who was named on the commission
by the prosecution and who perform
ed a postmortem examination on Miss
Rappe's body.
The report absolutely corrobor-
ated" the deposition of Dr. Maurice
Roseburg, of Chicago, who treated
Miss Rappe supposedly for a bladder
disorder in 1913, according to defense
counsel.
4 do not understand the reports,
District Attorney Matthew Brady said
Ophuls to take the stand at p. m.
and explain the report in detail.
VIII Explain Report.
The prosecution announced that it
would close finally with Doctor
Ophuls's explanation and that Leo
Friedman. assistant district attorney,
would then make the first closing
argument. Gavin McNaD, deIehse IIse
counsel. announced he would make
the only argument fer the defense
and expected to conclude it today.
Il expect to take less than two
hours" he said. Each side was given
four hours.
San Francisco, Dec. Opening
the final day of testimony IN the man
slaughter trial of Roscoe Fatty Ar
buckle, the state called to the stanu
Capt. Theodore H. Hayward, OF the
Canadian Expeditionary forces, Tor
me purpose of attacking testimony
given by Irene Morgan, defense Wit
ness. nurse who attended Virginia
Rappe at one time and who told OF
services overseas in Canadian con-
tingent.
date of the battle of the Marne. This
was for the purpose, the state lndi-
Gated, of showing that Miss Morgan
was not in France at the time OF the
battle as testified. The defense dld
not cross examine the witness.
Doctor Helps State.
DR.. William H Harrison, physician
and surgeon, was the second rebuttat
witness called today. DR.. Harrison
declared he had never known of con-
traction of abdominal muscles causing
rupture of the bladder. He also said
that in his opinion coughing, Sneez-
ing or vomiting would not furnish
sufficient force to rupture a healthy
bladder which he described as quite
a strong organ" His described symp-
toms accompanying rupture OF the
bladder and was not cross examined
by the defense.
Mrs. Lulu Corey, who gave testi-
uony yesterday supporting Mrs. Min
ME Neighbours who had been
charged with perjury by the state,
was next called for further cross eX-
A recess was then declared to await
the arrival of the three doctors who
made a microscopic examination of
the bladder of Virginia Rappe. Their
testimony was expected to close the
states case.
Argument certainly. and further
testimony possible, was scheduled for
today's session of the Roscoe Arbuckle
manslaughter case.
When the prosecution closed its re-
buttaI testimony yesterday 1t reserved
the right to bring in a small amount
of additional testimony if that seemed
desira BILE as final effort to link the
comedian with the death of Virginia
Rappe whom it contends he injured
at a party in his rooms at the Hotel
ST. Francis last September.
None knew, except the district at
torney and his assistants when court
opened whether this evidence would
be forthcoming or exactly what 1t
would concern.
The prosecution under a reserva-
ton of its own had the right to call
witnesses to controvert any new al
legations adduced by the defense. It
was agreed that any testimony that
might be introduced would be brief
and that arguments. limited by stip-
ulation to four hours on each side,
probably will begin at the afternoon
session.
The state has contended the girl
was perfectly healthy.
The defense has urged that from
her early youth she suffered from a
chronic affection of the bladder
which might have made possible her
death from natural causes.
Science was to decide this issue to-
day.
Arguments starting this afternoon
were expected to be completed early
tomorrow afternoon. After Judge
ouderback's charge the case will go
to the jury and a verdict by Friday
evening is anticipated by some OBJ
servers.
Assistant District Attorney Fried
man was to open arguments Tor the
state. Gavin McNab, chief counsel for
Arbuckle. was to follow The assist
ant district attorney. U'Ren. was to
sum up for the state. McNab opined
he would do all the talking for the
defense Despite his brilliant array of