Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1921-08-15
DIYORCEE AND
PAL APPEAR in
COURT TODAY
Mrs. Obenchain Is Escorted
From Jail by Her Former
Husband.
CONTINUANCE GRANTED
Judge Gives Counsel for De-
fense Until Aug. 20 to
Prepare.

LOS ANGELES, Cal. Aug Ia
Pale, erect, proud, Madalynne Oben-
chain stood before Judge Reeves to-
day and heard for the first time the
ind ctment against herself and
Arthur C. Burch. charging them with
the murder of ]. Belton Kennedy.
Ralph Obenchain, quiet, forcefll
and keen, was given permission by
Judge Reeves to appear as counsel
for his former wife.
John NJ. Curran appeared as at
torney for Burch.
Both defendants clasped their hands
loosely in front Of them as they stood
before Judge Reeves Mrs. Obenchain's s
face was pale, but she gave no other sign
Of the emotion to which she had been
subjected.
At the request Of defense counsel Judge
Reeve continued the case until Aug. %,
when Burch and Mrs. Obenciain viii
appear in court to plead to the indict-
ment.
A parley behind closed doors was
started relieving the postponement Of
the arraignment
The parley is over the question Of
whether Madalynne and Burch via stand
trial together and make common defense
with one corps Of attorneys, or whether
they VIII demand separate trials.
BURCH WANTS
JOINT TRIAL.
The general opinion prevails that Ma
dalynne's attorneys, headed By her for
mer husband. Ralph Obenchnin VIII ask
a separate trial for her. believing that
this proceedings viii protect her from
any damaging evidence that may be
brought against Burch. Burch's at
torneys, however. headed by John CurTn,
are known to be anxious 70 have the two
trials Joined and conduct a joint de-
Tense.
Burch entered the courtroom over the
Bridge OF Signs" while Mrs. obenchain,
covering her face 20 battle camera men.
was escorted over the sidewalk from the
county Jail to the hall OF justice by Ralph
S. Obenchain, Chicago attorney and her
divorced husband. who arrived yesterday
to aid in her defense.
when Burch entered the courtroom he
looked quickly around him 90 locate his
father, the Rev Or. william A. Burch OF
Evanston. III, who also arrived in Los
Angeles yesterday. AS their eyes met
the father and son exchanged afectionate
smiles
Burch and Mrs. Obenchain when they
appeared Ia court. ignored each other, al
though 81 was the first time they had
seen each other since their arrest.
The scene in the courtroom was dra-
matte one as Burch and Mrs. Obencha.n
r...T D. -a.F
while Deputy District Attorney Asa Keys
read the Indictment, Burch and Mrs.
Obenchain deliberately avoided looking at
each other During the few minutes they
were in court neither gave the slightest
sign of having recognized the other,
Developments that may result from the
arrival here OF Ralph Obenchain OF Chi
cago. former husband OF the accused
woman, and Rev William a. Burch Of
Evanston. father Of the Indicted man, also
were awaited with keen anticipation.
Their presence Is regarded as the begin
ming Of a spectacular fight to aequit
Burch and Mrs. Obenchain.
OBENCHAIN ACT AS
ADVISORY ATTORNEY
Obenchain was seated at the counsel
table with Warren Williams, tentatively
engaged by Mrs. Obenchain as counsel.
Not being privileged TO enter actively
into the practice Of law in this State,
Obenchain acted only In an advisory ca
pacity.
The meeting Of father and son and Of
former husband and wife was dramatic.
Rev. Burch, who Is financial secretary OF
Northwestern University, and Obenchain
went TO the jail Immediately upon their
arrival AS the car bearing the father
whirled up TO the door OF the jail young
Burch stood impatisntly In the visitors
room peerlng through the bars for first
glimpse Of his sire. a kindly 1aner,
mdmbling to himself that he did not have
the heart to keep a father from his
son." readily admitted Rev. Burch to
the room.. Father and son embraced each