Evening journal., 1921-11-23
.ARBUCKLE MAY
DENY crime
Screen Comedian Expected
To Go on the Stand
Today
STATE CLOSES
DIRECT CASE

death of Virginia Rappe. may take
the witness stand at once in his own
defense. set the courtroom in high
state OF interest just before conven-
ing OF today's session OF Arbuckle's
trial.
An hour before opening OF to-
days session the halls were filled 4
with people eager to see the big
comedian lighting in court for his |
freedom.
Arbuckle arrived in court early in |
one OF his luxurious motor cars. He |
was accompanied by Minta Durfee,
his wife
The defense devoted the morning
to direct testimony and this after
noon was to take the jury to the suite
in the St. Francis hotel where the
Arbuckle party was held.
Deposition from Lowell sherman.
Broadway favorite and from others
who were guests OF Arbuckle's party
might be read during the session II
was said.
The prosecution revealed TO news
paper men before court convened
that It had elaborate rebuttai testi-
mony in prospect which may ,lNe
several days to complete.
After the prosecution had closed
its case yesterday. after reserving
the right 20 introduce further tes-
timony, Gavin McNab. chief counsel
for the defense. made the opening
statement for Arbuckle.
I'VE will prove that Arbuckle was
I -. f1ta hofaI rnnr,, moro thai, fav,
minutes with Miss Virginia Rappe."
McNab continued. Arbuckle is ac-
cused OF having inflicted fatal In
juries on Miss Rape, motion pic
ture actress in his hotel rooms.
September 8.
George Giennon, house detective
OF the hotel. was the FIRST witness
called by the defense.
The court ruled out McNab's at
tempts to have the witness detail a
conversation he had with Miss
Rappe following her alleged in
iurie= at Arbuckle's hands.
Before the trial the defense ALI
nounced that Glennon had made
statement to the district attorney In
which he said Miss Rappe had ex-
oneratod Ar'buckle.
, Glennon was excused from the
stand following the courts ruling.
The court directed an examination
tomorrow by court. counsel and jury
OF the Hotel rooms In which MISS
Rappe Is alleged TO have been IN
jured.
Kate Brennan. maid at the
hotel followed Giennon and tesu-
ned that she busted Off the two doors
, introduced by the prosecution for
!, finger print evidence, sometime af-
ter the finger prints we're supposed
10 have been made by Arbuckle and
Miss Rappe. The defense endeav-
ored to prove that in the dusting
process she rubbed out the fngor
prints.
Arbuckle gave her tip OF s2.50
for cleaning his room and offered
her some whisky which she re-
fused, Miss Brennan testified.
Mrs. Lois Harding Lancashiere, a
guest nj the hotel during the PARTY.
said she was near the rooms and
heard and saw nothing.
More general interest was evil
denced in the trial today than on
any day since II began. Crowds
thronged the court room and the
adjoining corridors. or waited out
= side to obtain a glimpse Of the prin-
cipals.
Al Semnacher. manager for Miss
r Rappe. and Josephine Keza. cham
; ,ermaid told OF the party in the
! hotel in which Miss Rappe Is said
= TO have been fatally injured.
The last prosecution witness today
was Professor E. o. Heinrich. con.
y suiting criminologigt, OF the Univer
nty OF California who Identified
finger prints found on two OF tn,
hotel doors as those OF Miss Rapp,
and Arbuclyle. The doors wer
;, brought into court and photograph
exemplaus OF the fngerprints wer
produced by Heinrich.
Details of the fatal visit In Sep
!, tember OF Miss Rape to san Fran
:, cisco from Los Angeles were relate,
. by Semnacher.
I, Semnacher said he brought Mis-
= Rappe and Mrs. Bamblna Maud Del
/. mont, a mutual friend to San Fran
cisco In his automobile. Septembe
3. and that they attended a part!
given by Arbuckle. together Septem
Der s.
= He testified to the finding Of Mis-
!, Rappe in Arbuckle's room in dyinl
= condition. after she had been alon'
= for a time with the defendant
He met Arbuckle the next day. h,
said, and 'all said we believed Mis-
Rappe was intoxicated" Semnache'
\ refused TO repeat a word he said wa
- used by Arbuckle in relation to tn,
= attempts by guests Of the party {,
relieve Miss Rappe. He wrote tn.
= word out for the stenogrspher.
~ Miss Rappe had torn on her cloth
ing on various occasions after drink
- ing liquor. he testified. but the man
ner in which she tore IL on such oc
p casions was different from the man
20 ner she used after supposedly hav
y ing been injured at the party.
A Miss Alice Blake. show girl wa
III the first witness today. A state
: ment made by her to the police wa
IL introduced
The Blake statement described tn
~ party in Arbuckles rooms and relat
le' ed that Miss Blake first saw Mis-
U Rape nude on bed in the flr
'S,S comedians room and suffering gres
pain. II continued that Miss Biak
and other guests OF the party assist
nc ed Miss Rape.
Another statement given BY Mi,
- Blake to the District Attorney WI
- ruled out on the ground that the d,
Tense had been given no opportuni,