The Washington times., 1921-08-15
kennedy
SUSPECTS
IN C0UR 7
MY Boy Is Innocent" Cries
Aged Father Of Burch, Com
panion of Mrs. Obenchains
BY CHARLES T.. HUGHES.
international News Service.


Los ANGELES, Calf, Aug. Is.
Interest in the mystery that sur
rounds the murder of j. Belton
Kennedy, wealthy broker, shifted
today to the courtroom of Judge
Sidney N. Reeve, where Arthur C.
Burch, of Evanston, ILL.,, and Mrs.
Madaiynne -ohspchAia, Chicago di-
vorcee, will be arraigned on for
NAL charges of murder.
Attorneys Seek Delay.
1t is expected that attorneys for
the defense will asR for a continu-
ance Of week in which to prepare
their plea and the probability is that
more time will be granted.
Developments that may result
from the arrival here of Ralph Oben-
chain, of Chicago. former husband
of the accused woman. and the Rev.
William A. Burch, OF Evanston. H.,
father of the indicted man. also were
awaited with keen anticipation. Their
presence here is regarded as the be-
ginning Of spectacular fight TO
acquit Burch and Mrs. Obenchain.
Obenchain, II was stated. will be
seated at the counsel table with War
rem Williams, tentatively engaged by
Mrs. Obenchain as counsel. Not he
ing privileged to enter actively into
the practice of law in this State,
Obenchain will act only in an ad-
visory capacity.
~ E,a ~ g.,
and of former husband and wife vas
dramatic. The, Rev. Burch. who is
financial secretary OF Northwestern
University. and Obenchain hurried to
the Jail Immediately upon their ar
rival.
Greets Son Through Bars.
AS the motor car bearing the anx-
ious father whirled to the door OF the
jail, young Burch stood impatiently
In the visitors room, peering
through the bars for a first glimpse
of his sire. A kindly jailer. mum
bling to himself that he did not have
the heart to keep a father from his
son." readily admitted Rev. Bu:ch
to the room. Father and son en-
braced each other. Neither spoke
for several moments. Then the two
walked together to another room,
where they talked earnestly for half
an hour.
The meeting between Obenchain and
his divorced wife was less spectacular,
yet the simplicity of their reunion en-
hanced the dramatic element of the
situation. The kindly jailer who could
not refuse the Rev. Burch permission
to see his son was more obdurate with
Obenchain. After an hour and a half.
however, Obenchain was admitted to
the Jail
Meet As Old Friends.
The Chicago attorney and his form
er wife clasped hands and greeted each
other with a look OF understandings.
There was no noticeable show of emo
ton For two hours Obenchain sat
alone with his ex-wifo. obenchain
freely discussed the conference.
II didn't spend two hours or more
discussing the case altogether" he
said. I'VE met merely as old friends
and pals. which we have always been. |
We tried to make our conference a
talk between old friends and |
that is what 1t was.
Mrs. Obenchain did not change her \
story in the least. What she told me |
of this case is exactly what she told |
he district attorney"
Both the Rev. Burch and Obcnchain |
,fter the interviews stated once more
heir undsunted belief In the inno-
,encc Of Arthur Burch and MaAalynne ,
Hes my boy and I know him bet I
er than any one else knows him." the |
Rev. Burch said. He's been my |
hum, my pal, for all the years that
~. v,o.scd stuce a.. ,ro. htu n.,o,-h
% walk. IL matters not to me what
he circumstances are. IL would make
10 difference II the whole world de-
,lared my boy guilty, know him and
know he Is not guilty. |