The Washington times., 1921-09-24
DEATH Of
ACTRESS
LAID To
INJURIES
Hope That Testimony Would
Prove Drink Caused Fatality
Is Shattered. 49,
BY ELLIS III. MARTIN.
Interna tiopoI Nova aerxtcS

SAN. FRANCISCO, Sept. 24.<
The State planned to make another
attempt today to wrest from the
lips of AL Semnacher, manager of
the late Virginia Rape, with whose
murder Roscoe FATTY" Arbuckle
stands charged, the sensational
story which Semnacher told a Los
Angeles grand jury earlier in the
week regarding alleged admission.
Of Arbuckle 'the morning after" the
gay party at which the State claims
she received the injuries which
caused the death of the pretty young
film actress.
Three Hours Grilling.
Throughout three hours OF griIling
yesterday afternoon Semnacher par
ried all efforts TO bring this out. and
in addition materially softened test.
mony that he had given at sessions OF
the local grand jury and coroner's in.
quest.
So marked was his reluctance to
give material testimony that he was
finally ruled hostile" witness in
order to permit the State to proceed
with his questioning Under rules OF
cross-examination rather than the
more refined process OF direct exami-
nation.
''On with the party was the cry
as Miss Rape, the dying actress, was
borne from the Arbuckie hotel suite,
following "Fatty's" alleged attack
upon her, according TO Semnacher.
Testimony to this effect was one OF
the sordid features OF the hearing yes.
terday. Semnacher said that the party
with drinking, singing, and
while Miss Rappe, in a room
not far way. was dying.
Develops Bad Memory.
Semnacher. nervous wiry little
man whose dark, sparkling ewes
peeped cautiously from behind sheII-
trimmed glasses. developed . bad
memory.
II don't know" came frequently
from his lips.
Confronted with his answers to sin,.
liar questions before the coroner,
inquest he expressed the BELIEF thai
the stenosrapher had misquoted him.
The examination developed into a
battle Of wits and sharp and crafty
as were the efforts Of Assistant Dis.
trict Attorney Golden, the witness
usually proved q match.
1t was only after two hours and a
half Of questioning that Golden
brought forth from Semnacher m.
story Of the finding OF Miss Rapps in
room.
II am dying! ! am dy'ins!" Sem.
nacher quoted her as saying and
described hAr an t,ooving f.o., -
to side as IL In pain. She was en-.
tirely devoid of clothing when ne
entered the room, he said. Two won,-
en, whose names he could not re-
had preceded him by several
minutes, he said. He was emphatic
that no noises had come from the
room and said that Arbuckle was in
the other room having a drink"
when the two women who had an.
tered the bedroom rushed s,lSut and
summoned help.
More Questions Today,
When this story finally came Out
adjournment was taken until to-
day, when the State announced
L would continue Semnacher's uIies-
tioning for probably an hour and 4
half. The case In expected to ba
continued then until next week, with
the prospect that the hearing viii
require the greater part of the week
At the present rate OF speed.
Sharing In Importance the an.
parent shift OF Semnacber nom a
TO a defense witness Wa,
The announcement today ny Assist.
ant District Attorney Ii'Ren that
DR. Arthur Beardsiee. MISSING wit.
ness, who attended Miss Rappe the