The New York herald., 1921-09-13
DYING GIRL ACCUSED
ARBUCKLE WOMEN
TESTIFY AT Inquest
Friend Of Virginia Rappe
Swears to Complaint
Charging Murder,
COMEDIAN ARRAIGNED
Detected and Silent in
Police Court, He Is Held
Without Bail.
ALL OF PARTY QUIZZED
New Evidence Claimed by
State - Prisoners Counsel
Calls Him Innocent.
ALL OF PARTY QUIzzED

SAN Francisco. Sept. 12.-Roscoe C.
(Fatty) Arbuckle. motion picture
comedian, was formally arraigned in
police court here to-day on a charge
of murder in connection with the
death Of Miss Virginia Rappe. motion
picture actress, which occurred last
Friday following a party in Arbuckle's
rooms in the st. Francis Hotel last
Monday. Tonight the Grand Jury
met and began taking testimony in
the case.
The complaint against Arbuckle. the
second to be lodged against him since
his arrival here from Los Angeles on
Saturday. was signed by Mrs Bam-
bina belmont. friend Of Miss Rappe.
The first complaint, made by police
officials. was for the purpose Of hold
ing the comedian in custody pending
further investigation.
When Arbuckle appeared before
Judge Daniel O'Brien to-day he re-
fused to talk of the case. Through
his attorney a continuance to Friday
was obtained and the prisoner was
returned to his cell.
Representatives Of the District At
torney's office continued their question:
ing OF those known to have attended
the party last Monday. and from these,
District Attorney Brady stated. was OBJ
tanned evidence which will be used
against the actor at his trial. Among
those questioned to-day was Mrs. Sidi
Writ Spreckels. widow OF John D.
Spreckels, Jr.
Mrs. spreckels told the District At
| tory she was informed over the te}e-
phone last Friday by Mrs. belmont that
the young actress was In a serious CON
| dition In local hospital Mrs. belmont
asked Mrs. Spreckels to telegraph to
Henry Lehrman in New York concern
ing Miss Rappe's condition. After the
telegram had been sent. Mrs. Spreckels
at the hospital and saw Miss Rappe.
Led Such Quiet Life.
Miss Rappc recognized her, but she
said to Mrs. Spreckels: "Oh. to think
that ] led such quiet life and to think
that should get into such a party"
Later in the day Mrs. Spreckcls said
she returned to the hospital with an
answer to the telegram she had sent to
Lehrman. On her arrival at the hospital
Mrs. Spreckels said Miss Rappe was un-
| conscious and the telegram was not read
| to her.
Mrs. Spreclscls told the District At
torney she then called on Dr. James l..
Gordon. pastor OF the First Congrega-
tional Church. and asked him to offer
prayers for the dying girl. Mrs. Spreck-
els met Miss Rappe In this city in 1915.
she said.
Joyce Clark a cafe entertainer. was
summoned to the office OF the captain
Of detectives after It was learned she
had been invited to Arbuckle's party.
Miss Clark said she went as far as
the lobby OF the hotel. but decided not
to go to Arbuckle's rooms. She met
Mrs. belmont the next day. she said.
and Mrs. belmont gave her the details
of the party and the alleged attack.
Nurses Are Called.
Members of the drinking party and
physicians and nurses who attended
the film actress after she collapsed and
accused Arbuckie OF injuring her were
among those summoned by the Grand
Jury. They include also Mrs. Spreckels.
Some OF these had testified earlier
In the day at the inquest opened by
Coroner Leland. when they told their
stories OF what had hapuened at the
party and afterward. The inquest was
opened at o'clock and Will be con-
tinued tomorrow. The inquest fol-
lowed Arbucklcs arraignment before
Police Justice O'Brien.
The outstanding features or the days
developments were the stories told by
witnesses at the inquest and clash
there between Frank Dominguez. Los
Angeles attorney directing ArbuckIe's s
defense. and District Attorney Brady.
H. ]. Boyle, assistant manager OF the
St Francis Hotel. told OF being called
on the tclephone--the message Mrs, Del
mont has said she sent when she became
alarmed because Arbucke refused 10
open the door OF the room where he was
with Miss Rappe-and of meeting Ar
buckle. who came out Of the room wear
ing the hat OF the dying woman on the
side of his head He told how Arbuckle
had carried Miss Rappe to the room pro-
vided for her and of calling the house
physician.
10 UTlHk Out the stOTy Dy the urlnk-
ing party of Arbuckles presence behind
a locked door In the room where Mrs.
belmont charges he dragged Miss Rappe.
OF her condition when the door finally
was opened. her Illness and statements
made by her to nurses before her death,
Brady subpoenaed his witnesses before
the Grand Jury. New evidence was OBJ
tained during the day from Joyce Clark.
Earlier In int day Arbuckle had been
arraigncd before Police Judge OBrien
and formally charged with the murder
Of Miss Rappe. This arraignment tech
nicaliy closes the door to any habeas
corpus proceedings.
Inquest IL Opened.
Following the arraignment Coroner
Leland opened the inquest and witnesses.
including members of the drinking party,
testified. A verdict naming Arbuckle
would expedite the work of the Grand
Jury.
Two courses are open TO the prosecu-
------~--~~------
Continued on Eighth Page.