The New York herald., 1922-02-05
Mabel Normand Testifies at
Inquest-Victim Traced
Under Another Name.
DETECTIVES WATCHING B
Arrests Will Follow Attempts
to Leave Los Angeles
Valet Still Sought.

Los ANGELES, Feb. Awhile some
Of the most prominent members of
the cinema colony in Los Angeles
shuddered as the details Of the slay-
ing of William Desmond Taylor,
widely known film director, were told
from the witness chair at the in
quest to-day, what was characterized
as the most important development
since the investigation of the Staying
began was brought to light.
That was the story of the bullet
with which the motion picture direc-
tor was slain-a bullet that showed
by it's markings it had been manufac-
tured many years ago.
AS Detective Sergeant Herman
Cline told of finding the peculiar
shell and its probable significance in
the unraveling of the mystery, lis
steners could hear the sobs of Mabel
Normand, friend of Taylor, one Of
the last persons to see him alive, and
herselfione of the most noted figures
in fllmdom.
Miss Normand Called.
Miss Normand was called as a wit
ness and the inquest was delayed for
Some minutes until she arrived. Until
the time for her appearance on the
witness stand she was in a room ad-
joining the inquest chamber where
from time to time she gave. way to
her grief.
AS the result of the story of the
bullet police authorities have ar
ranged to have all shops in Los
Angeles handling ammunition
searched in an effort to find where
the shell was purchased. If the place
can be found it may lead to the
speedy apprehension of the slayer.
At the close of the inquest the
Coroner's jury in formel statement
declared Taylor to have met his death
as the result of gunshot wound in
the chest infiie- I'd by a person or
persons unknown to the jury, with
lulcuI u MIL OF murQer.
1t was then announced that funeral
services would be held next Tuesday
afternoon from st. Paul Pro- Cathedral.
Burial will be at Hollywood Cemetery
at o'clock. Services will be held at
the grave. Those in charge of the
funeral to-day extended a general in
vitation to all who knew Taylor to be
at the cemetery. The arrangements
for the ceremony are being made by
the Motion Picture Directors AS
scciation.
Red Roses Sent.
Before the inquest started two huge
buncEes Of red roses arrived at the
undertaking establishment. They were
the first flowers to be sent. One OF
the floral pieces was from Mary Miles
Minter, the other from Mabel Nor
mand, both film celebrities and friends
OF the slain man.
Drawn by curiosity and the appeal
mado to their imagination by n mur-
der mystery a throng of men and
women crowded the small INQUEST
room.
AS noted film stars drew up in their
automobiles in front of the building
the crowd pressed eagerly forward to
catch glimpse OF them. Policemen
were instructed to clear the sidewalks
at the first sign of any demonstration.
hA J1&a
who are working on the mystery were
on hand in the hope that they might
be able to uncover some new clew.
They confidently expected the testi-
nony to deal with many new phases
In the mystery. But they were not
confident that any of the testimony
would result in verifying any sus-
picions they Lave.
List of the witnesses.
Those who were summoned and who
we're ready to testify after tho jury
had been sworn in were:,
Jesse l.. Lasky, vice-president of the
Famous Players-Lasky organization, by
whom Taylor was employed as director
general.
Charles Eyton. general manager OF the
Nest Coast Studios OF that corporation.
Miss Mabel Normand. film star, who.
20 far as the police know, was the last
person to see Taylor alive
Douglas MacLoan. another film star.
whose home adjoins that of Taylor
Mrs. Douglas MacLcan, wife Of the
star.
Detective Sergeant Willis. ziegier. Her
Continued on Page Fourteen.