Imperial Valley press., 1921-08-12
P | c I U'RE D
WOMAN IN
CASE As
VAMP
Attempt by Mrs. Madalynne
Obenchain to Force Ken
nedy to Marry Her Result
ed in unprecedented
Murder.

LOS ANGELES, Aug. IA "vam-
pire woman" who sought to force one
of her victims to give name to her
unborn child-that is the picture Dis
trct Attorney Thomas d. Woolwire
drew of Mrs. Madelynne Obenchain in
securing the indictment of her yester-
day on charge of completely in the
murder of J. Belton Kennedy, young
insurance broker, who was shot down
while in company of Mrs. Obenchain
late last Friday night just as they
were about to enter Kennedy's sum
mer cottage in Beverly Hills Glen.
At the trial of the case the author-
ties will attempt to show that Mrs.
Obenchain is to become mother as
the result of her relations with Ken
nedy, that Kennedy refused to marry
her and was shot by Arthur c. Burch.
who was also indicted.
AS evidence of the womans great
magnetism will be presented the fact
that Burch, whom she referred to as
days, hurried across the continent in
response to single telegram which
Under Sheriff Manning says read:
Things look bad here. Please com
at once.-Madelynne."
The state will contend that Kennedy
who was stronger wilied than Burch,
attempted to extricate himself from
the web Mrs. Obenchain had woven
about him, was shot by Burch curing
an alteration when he refused to list
n to Burch's pleadings that &c rralry
Mrs. Obenchain.
The story as reconstructed by the
state, furnishes one of the mos. amaz-
ing examples of selfishless devotion
Burch, alleged to be madly in love with
Mrs. Obenchain, blindly needing her
Deck and call through the years and,
inally. sacrificing his freedom and
possibly his life to win another man
is her husband
Under Sheriff Manning thus des-
ribbed the presentation that was made
20 the grand jury:
"Burch has been identified as the
nan who rented an automobile. The
mark of the tires by the roadside at
he glen cottage correspond with those
f the machine he rented.
1--WE believe he was waiting at the
glen for Mrs. Obenchain and Kesr
20 come. We do not believe murder
vas premeditated.
I'VE will present evidence to show
hat Burch, with shotgun in his hand
approached Kennedy and insisted that
le marry her at once-that night. In
IN effort to frighten Kennedy, we be-
ieve Burch fired.
According to neighbor, an inter
val of minute and a half elapsed be
fore the second shot. In this period II
is our contention that an argument
ensued and that Kennedy, despite the
shotgun pointed at him, attempted tc
draw his revolver.
"He wasn't quick. He was founc
dead with the revolver in his hand
This scene was intended to bring about
| marriage-and ended in a murder.
| Burch in his cell, said:
IL knew Madalynne Obenchain whei
we were in college together.
1--WE were >ood chums then; tina
was all. | will tell the whole story a:
( soon as my attorneys, who will includ
some of the most prominent in tn
| country, are definitely decided upon.
| My parents are oehlRu me ana nav
the fullest confidence in me. Tha
means a great deal to me. NY fathe
IS on the way here from Chicago.
expect to see him in day or tive
Meanwhile the rest must wait.
II feel that any statement regarding
Madalynne and myself should com
from her. he explained. "She is i
great difficulty now. would not wan
to cause her any trouble don't mea
regarding this case-but ments
trouble"
One more strand was woven into tn
net of circumstantial evidence enmes
ing Arthur c. Burch
| The district attorneys office pro
iuced a "secret witness" Eliza Howe