The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-11-19
It's Gettysburg Anniversary Today s 81"
State in ArbuckIe Case Upheld
by Surgical Authority.
Declares Miss Rappe's Injury
Caused by Violence.
JURY VISITS SCENE OF PARTY
Makes Trip to Hotel Where
Movie Actress Met Death.
Speed of Trial Must Be Decided
by Jurors.

San Francisco, Nov. 19-Introduc-
ton of evidence had revived tagging
public interest today in the man.
slaughter trial of Fatty Arbuckle.
Opening of testimony brought a large
crowd, mostly women, that filled the
court room of Judge Louderback.
The initial gun of the nSosecution
was technical medical testimony by
two Surgeons who examined the body
Of Virginia Rape, actress in connec-
ton with whose death ArbuckIe is on
trial
Different Party Tocay.
A little over two months ago an
automobile costing something like
$4,000 drew up at the portals of San
Francisco'S most prominent hosiery
and deposited at its portals its 225-
pound owner. The arrival registered
as Roscoe Arbuckle" and the eleva-
tor carried him to the twelfth floor.
Then began a gay party which ended
in death.
Today the elevator carried the same
man up to the same suite of rooms on
but accompanying him was different
sort of party. 1t was the jury trying
him for manslaughter.
So Jury Can Understand.
In order that the jury of seven men
ard five women which yesterday heard
the first of the states testimony
against the famous film star charged
responsibility for the death of Vir-
ginia Rape. might understand fully
the details of the party to be related
by the state in its attempt to convict,
arrangements were made for the visit
to the hotel.
Gavin McNab, counsel for ArbuckIe,
suggested to the court that the jury
go and see the rooms and learn for
themselves their arrangements with
the location of the doors and furni-
ture which are to figure prominently
in the evidence. The district attor-
ney seconded the suggestion and
Judge Louderback said that with the
lrecenvening of court today the plan
would be carried out.
Jury Can Decide Speed.
The jury also must decide today just
how fast the case is to be speeded up.
This is the day of the big" football
game between California and STAN
ford. Most of the counsel and court
attaches are sons of one or the other
of the institutions that will fight for
gridiron supremacy. It was rather
timidly suggested by counsel for both
sides that no session be held today.
The suggestion was quickly with
drawn. 1t brought from Judge Louder
back the announcement that all day
sessions would be held Saturdays and
night sessions in all probability would
prevail But he conceded that the
jury might vote today as to whether
this afternoon would be a half holiday.
The younger members of the legal
staffs are praying the jury-which
can't go to the football game-win
not be mean about it.
Defense Not Favored.
The sum total of the first days evil
dence taking was not unfavorabIe to
the defense. DR.. Shelby Strange Of
fetal autopsy surgeon, a state witness,
was not positive witness. On cross
examination, he proved uncertain as
to the time at which bruises he dis
covered on the body of Virginia Rape
might have been incurred. The state
did not dwell on his testimony long.
Doctor Ophuls, Stanford hospital
surgeon, gray of beard, long of expert
ence and well acquainted with the
ways of the witness chair, was a much
better witness He was positive and
when the defense seemed to corner
him on a question he insisted on his
right to explain, and usually won his
point.
State Gains Victory.
Doctor Ophuls expressed the opin-
ion that the ruptured Bladder which
he described finding in the body of
Virginia Rape was the result of a
display of violence" On cross ex-
animation he admitted a possibility
that muscular contra ction" could
have caused the rupture. The de-
Tense cited numerous sorts of muscular
contraction and the doctor described