Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1921-09-13
TAMPERING OF
WITNESSES is
POLICE CLAIM
Testimony Before Grand Jury
Different From That at
First Hearing.
ACTRESS MAY BE HELD

SAN FRANCISCO, Cal, Sept. 13.-
Roscoe (Fatty) Arbuckle faced his ne
misis today
Mrs Bambina Maude belmont, who
plays the role Of avenger in the Rarpe-
Arbuckle ragedy, took the witness stand
at the opening of the second day session
of the inquest today.
Il ma here to tell just the truth" she
told the coroner at the conclusion of
lecture on the importance of her posi-
tion as complaining witness agaknst
Arbuckle, charged with the murder Of
Miss Rappe.
The coroner led Mrs. belmont through
a detailed account of her auto trip from
Los Angeles TO San Francisco in company
with Miss Rappe and Al Semnacher.
She testified she was the only member
Of the party who was drinking wAel
they left Los Angeles, week ago sat-
urday. They spent the night at Selma.
MOToRED TO
FRISCO ON SUNDAY.
The next day, Sunday. Mrs. belmont
said they motorod on to San Francisco.
The party was eating breakfast at the
Palace Hotel shortly before noon Non
day, she continued, when a pege handed
Miss Ranpe a note inviting them to the
Arbuckle suite at the Hotel st. Francis.
When breakfast was concluded che
party went to see Arbuckle.
In an effort to maintain her composure
Mrs. belmont took sip after sip Of hot
water Her hand trembled as she lifted
the cup to her lips. She was dressed en-
tirely in black.
Arbuckle's defense scored an important
point when Mrs. belmont described the
retirement OF Arbuckle and Miss Rappe
into an adjoining room from the party
which preceded Miss Rappe's death.
Mrs. belmont testified that Miss Rsppe
had gone into the bathroom and
Arbuckle followed her in later, the two
coming out and standing together IN the
doorway.
Arbuckle. she said. then walked past
Miss Rape and closed the door, leaving
them alone together IN the room.
Previous statements attributed to Mrs
belmont had been that Arbuckle dragged
The San Francisco grand jury refused
10 indict Roscoe Arbuckle for the mur
der OF Virginia Rappe until further evil
dence is introduced to clear up disputed
points
After a six hour session the jury ad-
journed to give District Attorney Brady
time to secure more evidence. 1t WIN
convene again when he is ready
Brady is going right ahead with the
prosecution. The eoroners jury was
called to meet at 10 8. IN, to hear the
testimony Of Mrs. Maude belmont, who
during wild party" In his hotel suite
and Inflicted injuries from which she
died.
In spite Of the delay In securing q
grad jury murder indictment, the mur-
de. complaint against Arbuckle--sworn
to by Mrs. Delmont-still stands and Ar
bucks can be brought to trial on it even
If the grand jury refuses to return any
indictment.
OF first magnitude was the charge made
by District Attorney Mathew Brady that,
undue influence and pressure OF a sin
lister character" has been brought to bear
on the witnesses Of the case. This charge
was followed by the announcement that
Alice Blake, one of the showgirls who at
tended the party al the St Francis Hotel,
given by Arbuckle, at which Miss Rappe
was seized with the Illness that resulte
in death and the bringing Of the murder
charge against Arbuckle, has disappeared.
In addition Brady declared 10Y Pry-
Won, another show giri also in attend
ance at the party. had changed her story
and faces possible arrest on a charge
Of perjury. The Pryvon girl was taken
from the grand jury room TO her home,
under guard Of a detective. The district
attorney said her arrest depended on
further developments" 1t was reported
an investigation was under way to de-
termine the source Of ticket to Alabama
alleged to have Leen found In the Pryvon
girl possession.
District Attorney Mathew Brady an
nornced that ne was gathering new evil
dsnce against Roscoe Arbuckle, accused
of murder and would lay the case tefore
the county grand jury for seconU time
within n few days.
'Our case is still being built up"
Continued on Page EIevcn)