New-York tribune., 1922-02-10
New Evidence Places Sus.
pcct Near Directors
Home at Death Hour:
Was Seen by Policeman
Mabel Normand's
Letters Recovered
Prosecutor Questions Six
Witnesses; TO Examine
More Film Stars To-day
Special Dispatch to INC r,ibuu,

'f'''''''ft
Los ANGELES, Feb. 9.-Evdcncc
supporting the theory that William d.
Taylor, murdered film director, was the
victim of a hired assassin came to
hight to-day with the opening of a wide
spread investigation of the mystery by
District Attorney Thomas Lee Wool
wine.
The fighting prosecutor" as he is
called, personally questioned witness
after witness, to lay foundation for
the grlllng OF at least two film stars.
who will be called before him to-
morrow. To-day none of the film act
resscs who have been closely connected
with the case was called to the Dis
trlct Attorneys office, but the state
mcnts of those who have been involved
IN the mystery, and even some of
thclr belongings, were under the scru-
''ny OF the investigator preliminary to
cNam'natlons to o-morrow that arc en-
pcctcd TO get at the bottom Of tho
mass OF contradictions that surround
the shooting of the picture maker.
Patrolman Helps Inquiry
Fa'rolman Albert Long, whose state
ment docs not seem TO have played Il
part IN tho investigation carried on by
thc detective bureau. was the witness
VINO added new facts concerning the
activities about the Taylor bungalow
on the night of the shooting.
The policeman said that shortly
after o'clock in the evening he had
seen a man lettering in the street
which skirts the side of the court in
which the directors bungalow is To-
Gated. He said the man wore a cap.
an oVercoat and "mussy suit which
he was unable to describe in greater
detail.
The description fits that of the man
who, according TO Mrs. Douglas Mac
Lean. A neighbor Of Taylor, was seen
lettering about the front of the house
two or more minutes after the firing
OF the shot that took the life of the
director
If the man seen by the policeman
IS the murderer it would indicate that
the assassin was a cool-headed, profes-
slonal gunman, who for some as vet
unexplained reason remained within
stones throw of the scene of the kill
ing, trusting to luck to escape should
the crime be prematurely exposed.
Detective Frank Cato, who was the
first to reach the bungalow after the
discovery of the murder, declared this
new evidence might be taken as almost
conclusive proof that a seasoned gun
man killed Taylor. He pointed to the
manner Of the shooting, that only one
shot was fired. that there had been
lot the slightest hitch to the evident
ly we'll planned program, to prove his
assertion
The prosecutor refused to comment
on the testimony brought out during
the day. He denied the report that
Miss Mabel Normand had made a writ
ten statement in which she said that
her reason for going to Taylor's home
on the evening Of tho murder was TO
demand the return of certain letters
she had written him. He said he had
not heard from Miss Normand in any
manner, but that he expected to some
time tomorrow.
Miss Normand's Notes Found
The letters written to Taylor by Miss
Normand disappeared after his death,
but today it was learned they are in
the hands Of Woolwinc. The notes
have come to be known as the Dear
Baby" letters.
, Mr.. Woolwinc said he did not
know whore the letters were during
the week they were missing, did not
know who rihed the dead directors
dresser within an hour after the dis
covery of his body, or whether Ill of
the letters had been returned.
"Who had Mabcl's letters ?" is a
question that was asked throughout the
day end remains unanswered tonight.
Although the District Attorney took
pains to announce that he had not
taken the inquiry out Of the hands of
the police, his vital interest in
the investigation was proved BY
the fact that he withdrew from
active participation in the prosecution
Of Madclyn Obenchain, accused of the
murder OF J. Belton Kennedy. in order
to give his entire attention to the
Taylor case. Up to six o'clock to-
night he had personally questioned
six witnesses, summoned half dozen
more and announced that he would
pass most Of the night in carrying on
his quest for knowledge of tho
battling case.
In every instance signed statements
we're made by the witnesses. This. it
was explained, was done in order that
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