The New York herald., 1921-11-29
Virginia Rappe Taken III
While Alone in His Bath
room, Actor Testifies.
DENIES ALL CULPABILITY
Says He Tried to Soothe
Actress and That Threat
Was for Mrs. belmont.

Special Despatch to THE NEW York HERALD.
SAN Francisco, Nov. 2S.--In court
room crowded to its utmost. Roscoe
Arbuckle, on trial for manslaughter in
connection with the death Of Virginia
Rape. motion picture actress. took
the stand ON his own behalf to-day.
He gave his version of the happenings
at the party in his rooms In the st.
Francis Hotel on September 8. when
Miss Rappe suffered her fatal illness.
In clear voice and holding himself
in good control and in the manner Of
a man who realizes the seriousness of
the situation, the Falstaff of the films
denied he, was in any way responsible
for the death of Virginia Rappe
Cross-examination by Leo Friedman,
Assistant District Attorney. failed to
shake the defendant from his main
story.
Gavin McNab. Arbuckle's counsel, con-
Quoted the examination. putting the
questions rapidly, with no pauses.
Under McNab's guidance. Arbuckle
quickly got into the story of the illness
.IlI when He Found Her.
The party was well along in mid
afternoon. the defendant said when vir-
ginia got up suddenly and went into his
room. He did not notice 1t at the tirne !;
did not know where she had gone. He
was busy with his guests" Miss Taube
reminded him OF their engagement to
go for ride. He went into his room
to change his clothes. as he had been
dressed in a purple bathrobc when the
guests arrived.
McNab pulled a gaudy, decorative af-
fair from beneath the counsel table and
took 1t to the witness chair. Arbuckle
identified it.
"Yes, that was the one
In his room, ready to change his
clothes. Arbuckle said he heard a noise
in the bathroom. He opened the door,
There. at his feet, lying on the floor.
vas Virginia Rape, desperately Ill
She was moaning. he said. He picked
her up--he rose from his seat here and
illustrated to the jury. while ths.- leaned
forward to watch his nioyements--and
helped her to her feet. He brushed
back her hair.
"She said there was nothing could
do for her; that she had these spells
often" he said.
Disappeared From Bed.'.
He got her a glass of water. Then
he Helped her walk back to the bedroom,
his arm around her. She dropped back
on the bed. her feet trailing on the floor.
Arbuckle says he picked up her feet and
put them on the bed. Then he returned
to the bathroom, after she said che felt
easier He remained there few min
utes. When he returned Virginia Rappc
was gone.
He told Of looking around for her. OF
hearing a moan and finding her lying
between the two beds on the floor
doubled up in intense agony. moaning
and crying He explained that the beds
were too close together for a straight
lifo" and how he squeezed his bulk be-
tween them until he could get the girl
back on the bed.
He then went for aid. He opened the
door OF the room. he said, TO find Mrs.
belmont and other women there. They
entered and took charge OF Miss Rappe.
He went out. When he returned she
wes tearing her clothing and In hyster-
les. lie attempted to help her. but Mrs.
belmont ordered him from tho room, he
said.
Told Mrs. belmont To shut Jp.'.
II told her 10 shut up or ! would
throw her out OF the window" no says
he replied.
The Jury sat up at that--at the quo-
tat'on Of this sentence that has been
attributed as Arbuckle's cailous remerk
TO Virginia Rappe. The defence has
never challenged that until to-day when
Arbuckle himself went on tho stand.
Then he admitted making II, but says he
made It TO Mrs. belmont.
Then Arbuckle had Miss Taube call
Boyle. the hotel manager. When the
manager arrived Fishbach's bathrobe
was put around the girl and she was
carried TO another room. Arbucklo said
Continued on paee, Five.