Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1922-05-21

court.
A $4,000 bail bond for Valentino s
release was later deposited with Justice
Bower. The bondsmen were Miss June
Mathis, scenario writer; George Mel
ford. director at the Lasky studio. who
has directed Valentino in several of his
pictures. and Thomas Meighan, a mo-
ton picture actor.
LET me alone was Valentines plea
to reporters who crowded about him
for statement. He refused to discuss
the case.
Nazimova Was Wedding Guest
The complaint was issued following
receipt of information from detectives
sent by the district attorney to make
an investigation in the Imperial Valley
and Mexico into the marriage and
honeymoon of Valentino and his sec
ond bride These detectives. it was an
nounced. interviewed the Mexicali judge
who performed the ceremony and ar
ranged for sending of certified copies
of the marriage record to Los Angeles.
The detectives also reported that in
vestigation at Palm Springs. resort
at the head of the Imperial Valley, re
yealed that bridal party was held
there Tuesday night when Valentino
and the bride were entertained by
number of motion picture people of
1t was reported that Nine.
Nazimova was present at the party and
that Valentino and Miss Hudnut oc-
,upied a room at the hotel.
Trip Into Riverside Held Crime
The decision to issue complaint
&C
district attorney after considerable de-
he said. and following sew
,ral consultations with his staff. The
situation is unusual, if not unique. in
California court proceedings, in that
he prosecution has been instituted in
'ounty where no overt act of the al
eyed felony took place.
The district attorneys contention is
hat the laws of California have been
-iolated by the marriage at Mexicali
nd subsequent residence in Riverside
ounty and that action could be under
aiken in any part of the state.
1t was brought out in the complaint
hat Valentino is a resident of Los
ANGELES county and that the interloc-
tory decree granted his first wife was
ssued here. Mr. Mcclellan said he
hought these might turn out to be i'm
ortant points in the case.
Was Told He Broke No Law
Valentines statement follows:
Il was informed by my friends that !
marriage across the border under !
he Mexican laws would be valid. Upon !
~ arrival at Mexicali. the question of |
alidity again arose and l was told |
Y American officers at Mexicali that
he marriage would be legal and was |
lso SO informed by Mexican officials. |
Upon returning TO California. | was !
dvised by my attorney. Mr.. w. l.
'ilbert, that the validity OF the mar
lage might be questioned in Califor- /
ia. Upon receiving this information.
e had conference and il was deter
lined that we should separate and that
Irs. Valentino would return to her
arents and that l would remain in
alifornia and go on with my work.
Having lived for short time in
ew York city before coming to Cali
,rnia and knowing that many mar
ages were performed in New Jersey
,st ucross the line. after divorce had
cen granted, ] supposed the same con-
tion obtained in California.
II have no intention and had no in
'ntion of violating the laws of Cali
HoI ustu NaituttHo.
"As soon as the year shall have ex-
red, We shall remarry and, in the
eantime we shall adhere strictly to
le law. 1t is needless to say that this
,ar's delay will not in any way lessen
ir love for each other. I can truth
lily say that my conduct, in Los An
lies has been such that one could not
lestion the fact that have lived a
and honest life.
II. of course. regret deeply that :,
lould have done anything that would
wer me in the estimation of the ,
merican people, who have been so
nd to me and have accepted me at
cry turn for more than I conceive
be my real worth and who have d
called me THE Lover Of the I
,rcen. will say that the love that p,
ade me do what I have done yas I
ompted by the noblest intentions tNat {
man could have. loved deeply. but s
loving I may have erred"
The detectives declared they had To- n
ted at Indio five witnesses who would
stify to thesnppearance Of Valentino