The New York herald., 1921-08-07
Los ANGELES BROKER
shot FROM AMBUSH
Killed on Steps Of Home in
Presence of Woman He
Was to Marry.
ASSAILANTS FLEE IN CAR
Mrs. Madeline Obcrchain Got
Divorce Because Of Love for
John B. Kennedy.

Special Despatch to THE NEW YonK HmALD.
Los ANGELES. Aug. 6.-John B. Ken
nedy, 26, an insurance broker, was shot
and killed last midnight on the steps
of his summer cottage at Beverley
Hills. an exclusive suburb. With him
at the time was Mrs. Madeline ober-
chain, divorced wife of Chicago at
torney.
Mrs. Oberchain, who Is held as
material witness. says Kennedy was
slain by two men who lay in wait for
him and who fed from the scene in
an automobile. That statement is part
ly corroborated.
Jealousy Possible Motive.
In her story to the police the young
woman said that her love for Kennedy
had led to her husband agreeing to
divorce SO that she might be we'd to
the insurance broker.
The Los Angeles police can assign
no motive save possible jealouies.
The assailants. who fired from the
shrubbery about the entrance of Ken
nedy's home, escaped in an automobile
recognized by the woman, who was
vainiy attempting to revive her fallen
fiance. Mrs. Oberchain was not touched
by any OF the numerous slugs fired
from a two barrel charge of a shotgun.
Mrs. oberchain told the Sheriffs dep
nties that~ kennedyr. .uask sAQt.sf52ubeh eheF
hind. She said afterward ~ saw two
roughly dressed men disappearing in
some bushes.
Deputy Sheriff Cronn took a formal
statement from the woman In which
she said she was 2s years old. the
daughter of Mrs. Emma r. Smart of
Los Angeles. Her former husband, she
said. was paying her $50 month all
mony.
'Our home was really broken up be-
cause Of my love for Mr.. Kennedy" she
admitted. Mr.. Oberchain was willing
for me to obtaini the divorce Ii It would
make me happy. but said that ne would
willingly take me back.
Il would have been married to Mr..
Kennedy long ago. but he could not over
come the objection of his mother. who.
he told me. dsiked me. I have known
Mr.. Kennedy five years and was to
marry him. but for some reason mar
ried Mr.. Oberchain. My relations with
Mr.. Kennedy have always been of the
best.
HE came to my room at the Aexan-
dria Hotel the other night. He kept
pleading with me to marry him and to
give him my answer so that he could
leave California and go East with me.
I finally induced him to leave the room
and he said he would II would promise
TO meet him when he telephoned. This I
did yesterday.
Returned From Motor Trip.
Mrs. Oberchain said that she had ac-
companied Kennedy on a motor trip to
a beach resort before noon. They re-
turned late at night and went to the
Beverly Hills Country Club to dine. The
club was closed. so they went to Ken
nedy's cottage.
Il stopped at the entrance to look for
lucky penny ! had buried there she
told the police. 1T was while we were
searching for It that the shot was fired"
Mrs. Lizzie Besanty, a neighbor. told
the authorities of Beverly Hills that she
had heard two shots. the screams of
Mrs Oberchain and the sound OF a
speeding automobile.
valuables In Kennedy's pockets were
not touched by his assailants Los An
geles police records show that Kennedy
was beaten on the street TOUR years ago
by pair of thugs whom he failed to
identify.
Investigators said the shot which
killed Kennedy was fred from a dis
tance OF about thirty feet. A revolver.
fully loaded, was found beside the body.
Mrs. Oberchain said this belonged to
Kennedy She said the latter was not
instantly killed. but said Good night,
Madeline" to her before expiring.