The New York herald., 1921-09-14
PLOT SEEN TO BREAK
|. Chain OF EVIDENCE
AGAINST ARBUCKLE
Police Fight to Halt Stam-
pede of Witnesses Who
Attended Party.
GIRL ACCUSER RECANTS
Grand Jury Adjourns With
out mdicting Film Com
edian for Murder.
TESTIMONY AT INQUEST
Mrs. belmont and Virginia
Rappe's Manager Tell Of
Tragic Affair.
GIRL ACCUSER RECANTS
TESTIMONY AT INQUEST

Special Despatch to THE New YoRK HERALD.
SAN Francisco, Sept. 13.-Activity in
police circles and the criminal depart
ment of justice is at high pressure in
the case of Roscoe ("Fatty") Arbuckle,
charged with the murder of Virginia
Rappe. motion picture actress. follow
ing halted investigation by the Grand
Jury into the details OF the drinking
party staged by the film comedian
September in the st. Francis Hotel
juries which caused her death four
days later.
The police are engaged in general
roundup of men and women who were
ing Off what was said to be a threat
ened stampede of some of them to
avoid being called into the investiga-
ton of the case.
District Attorney Brady was busy
linking up his chain of evidence against
breaks in it caused by witnesses dis
playing tendency to change their
statements as originally made and
partly upon which the warrant for
murder was issued and preparing other
evidence which the Grand Jury had
requested before deciding upon an in
dictment.
The Grand Jury was in session until
late tonight taking evidence. and the
1,u
sign OF what Mr.. Brady charged was
plan to weaken IL not break down the
evidence no had gathered against Ar
buckle. 1t came through the action OF
Sadie Reiss. better known as Vey Pre-
con. one OF the most important corrob-
Grating witnesses for the prosecution, in
changing the tenor OF her first state
ments as to certain incidents of the
party and her refusal to sign a state
ment which she had made to the Dis
trlct Attorney.
Word s.Lfar'' IL Used.
After the session of the jury the girl
had lively conference with Mr.. Brady.
in the course of which the word liar
was used.
The most important witness before the
jury was Mrs. Bambina Maud belmont,
who swore t. the warrant charging
murder against ArbuclSle. She repeated
her former story detailing the scenes at
the party and in Arbuckle's bedroom,
where Miss Rape was found injured
Arbuckle was taken to the jury room.
He was a sober facc1 comedian. Perspi-
ration was streaming from his face and
lie breathed heavily. When asked by
1 -HAtk tka,. \. To 0I
his version of the party Arbuckle drew
a deep breath and said. mo. sir; my
attorney has advised mo to say nothing
at this time" When he emerged from
the jury room he was in anything but q
cheerful mood and walked stolidly back
to his cell In the city prison.
Early to-day there was a ripple OF
excitement over the announcement that
Alice Blake. another show girl and q
leading witness, was missing, and 1t was
said sht had left the State.
Later, however, the girl was located
in Berkeley and taken 10 police head
quarters, where she underwent an i'm
mediate grillng because of the District
Attorneys intlmations that efforts were
being made TO reach" her by outside
influence and that other witnesses were
being approached by persons he did
not name and asked to keep quiet
Following the arrival OF Alice Blake
the District Attorney placed all wit
nasses in the case under police sur
.veillance and they will be kept under
observation until their testimony is
taken before the Grand Jury.
Mr.. Brady is emphatic In saying he
s positive efforts are being made to
induce witnesses to change the stories
they originally told of the party, show
ing lapses of memory and other indica-
tons of powerful influences at work.
He Is particularly incensed against the
Reiss girl. holding her responsible for
the action of the Grand Jury In de-
clining TO indict Arbuckle on the evi-
dencc so far presented. Her testimony
is pertinent in establishing what is In
effect death bed statement by Virginia
Rappe.
Faces Perjury Charge.
Examined this morning by Mr.. Brady
In the presence OF her mother Sadie
Reiss said her original statements were
made while she was excited and she
was not positive in them. Later II was
announced at the District Attorneys
Office that II she persisted In her course
Jf denying her first statements perjury