New-York tribune., 1921-09-14
Grand Jury Returns Bill
Against Actor Charg-
ing Manslaughter Was
Committed at Reception
Girl Alters Story;
Perjury Is Hinted
Prosecutor, ,Incensed Over
Retraction, Says Sinister
influence Is at Work
SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 13.-
Roscoe ("Fatty") Arbuckie was in.
dieted tonight for manslaughter.
Special Dispatch to TIE Tribune

Special Dispatch to The Tribune
san FRANCISCO, Sept. 13.-Actirity
in police circles and the criminal
branch of the Department of Justice
vas at high pressure tonight in the
ease Of Roscoe (''Fatty") Arbuckle,
screen actor, charged with the MUIR
Ger OF Virginia Rappe. motion picture
actress. This activity followed a halt
in the investigation by the grand jury
into the details OF the wild drinking
party staged by the film comedian Sep
tember at the st. Francis Hotel, at
which the actress suffered injuries
which caused death four days later.
The police were engaged in a gen
eral roundup of men and women who
attended the party for the purpose of
heading off what was declared to be
threatened stampede by some of those
interested to avoid being called into
the inquiry. District Attorney Brady
was busy linking up his chain of evil
dence after breaks had been caused
by one if not more witnesses display
ing tendency to change their state
ments as originally made, and partly
upon which the warrant against Ar
buckle for murder was issued. The
DlstrIct Attorney also was preparing
other evidence which the grand jury
had requested before deciding upon an
Indictment.
Inquest Not Finished
The coroner's inquest was continued
to-day, but the testimony was not COM
peted.
The grand jury was in session until
late hour last night hearing testi-
mohy and the proceedings were marked
BY the first sign of what Mr.. Brady
charged was plan to weaken if not
beak down the evidence which he
had gathered against Arbuckle. 1t
came through the action of Sadie Reiss,
better known as Vey Pyvron, one of the
nest important corroDorating wit
hesses for the prosecution, in chang
ing the tenor of her first statements
as to certain incidents Of the party
IN Arbuckle's rooms and her refusal
10 sign a statement which she had
made to the District Attorney.
Alter the session of the jury the girl
mad lively conference with Brady,
IN the course of which the word "liar"
was used with some heat.
The most important witness before
the jury was Mrs. Bambina Maude
nelmont, who swore to the warrant
charging murder against Arbuckle. She
repeated her story, detailing the scenes
at the party and in Arbuckle's bedroom,
where the Rape girl was found in u
alsheveled and injured condition.
afbuckle also was brought to the jury
room. He was a sober-faced comedian
respiration was streaming from his
lace and he breathed heavily. When
asked by the foreman whether he de-
sired to give his version of the party
the comedian drew a deep breath and
said
No; my attorneys have advised me
70 say nothing at this time"
Arbuckle Moody After Hearing
When he emerged from the room he
was IN anything but cheerful mood
a. ana walked stolidly back to his cell in
'hs city prison.
Early to-day there was a ripple Of
Hc'tement over the announcement that
,l hi'ee Blake, another show girl and q
s.aaing witness, was missing, and It
was stated that she had left the state.
n Aa.er n however. the girl was found
~ ~ berkeley and brought to Police
" vent an immediate grilling because of
N N District Attorneys intimations that
ssnofts were being made to reach" her
oy outside influence, and that other
Witnesses were being "approached" by
persons he did not name and asked to
osseep. quiet" Following the arrival
" ~ MISS Blake, Mr. Brady placed all
seillance. N0' p'''S' '"-
l. "f' BRADY is emphatic in saying that
=. .e is positive efforts are being made
-. ~ ihduce witnesses to change the
s.ories they originally told Of the
tfS''y, including changes in details,
"s ,spses OF memory and other indications
=. :. powerful influences at work. He is
ssa;I,1iculary 90, incensed against the Reiss
sa. sm:, holding her responsible for the
~ ION OF the grand jury in declining
fs 'na'ct Arbuckle on the evidence so
t;n, presented. Her testimony is per-
sne IN establishing what is in effect
Rape. '"' Ds srg'nia
i. Iah'ned this morning by Mr.. Brady
sa;S ine presence of her mother, Sadie
VIII VIII her original statements were made
nos;s, 'e sne was excited and she was not
n;s.tve. Later it was announced at the
sstics sasss Attorneys Office that if she
ss'Sted in her course Of denying her
won,, SS statements perjury proceedings
s.so sns. De begun against her. Before the
Wy Wy. she denied that she had heard
,a;a.i ,i;s.hia Rappe say, "He killed me-"
eelg4nlng at Arbuckle, as she had de-
Woman Tells of Fatal Party
:. dramatic recital of events at the
sss was given al the resumption OF
ws; .ofoner's inquest this morning,
Or,sn soraa Arbuckle, accompanied by his at
vit, attended. Mrs. belmont was the
"sss' Under examination by Coroner
sc'ntinaed oa ssss ax,