The New York herald., 1922-02-04
SLAIN FILM DIRECTOR
BELIEVED VICTIM OF
LOVE REVENGE PLOT
Clews Indicate Crime Was Committed by Man at Insti-
cation of Woman-Three Well Known Actresses
Questioned by Police-Mabel Normand
Denies Engagement to Taylor

who may have been the central fig
ure in love vengeance plot and a
man who presumably was the actual
slayer. were the outstanding figures
to-day in the police investigation into
the murder of William Desmond
Taylor, the motion picture director.
Detectives worked on seven phases
Of the mystery, and 1t was declared
that practically all clews involved
the names of the man and the
woman. In the latest theoretical con-
struction of the murder plot the
woman was placed by the police in
the role of the beauty with whom the
actual slayer was believed to have
been infatuated.
On the other hand, the detectives
were declared to have obtained evi-
dence that the woman in the case
was in love with Taylor, and it was
believed she may have inspired the
Staying possibly because the director
had remained passive in his attitude
toward her
1--WE believe the man, and 1t is pre-
sumed Taylor was shot by a man,
was a hired assassin, and that he
probably was hired for the Staying
by woman scorned, or at least ig-
nored," one detective stated.
T,, In. hn
brought in the name of Claire Wind
sor, motion picture actress. 1t was
learned she had been out riding and
had dinner with Taylor.
Many Called for Inquest.
Many of the friends of Taylor were
subp9naed to appear at the inquest.
These included Mabel Normand and
Mary Miles Minter. Late subpGnas
were issued for Douglas MacLean,
film star, and Edna Purviance, who
lives near the Taylor home; Charles
Eyton of the Famous Players-Lasky
studios and Charles Maigne. another
picture director. In addition Miss
Normand's chauffeur was asked to
appear. Others subpnnaed were Tay-
lors valet, who discovered the murder
and Mrs c. w. Reddck and Mrs. c.
NJ. Burger, neigEbors.
The latest developments have placed
in the background the earlier theory
that Edward r.. Sands, former sec
rotary and valet of the slain man, may
have had some knowledge of the
crime.
Detective Sergeant Herman Cline
said he would told conversation with
Taylor's chauffeur and trace his re-
cent visits to Hollywood and other
places. Other detectives investigated
the report that Taylor had attended
several so-called parties at which mar
cotics were served from tea wagons
for the purpose of obtaining local color
for his pictures. The Staying. the
police point out, may have been the
aftermath of such a party
Detective at Studio.
One of the detectives passed the
day at the Hollywood studio where
Taylor was the leading director, to
gather up bits of information which
will be used in the reconstruction OF
TavIor's recent past.
Three OF the foremost picture actresse.
were questioned to-day regarding theit
asserted love for Taylor. While no sus-
picion rests on the young women the po-
lice thought they might be able to throw
direct ray of light on some love tangle
in which Taylor may have been prin-
cpal.
Weird narratives of mystic love cult
entered into the Investigation and re-
ports to the police linked Taylor's name
with the strange life of the cult leaders.
according to the detectives.
The weird love said to have existed in
the cult may have inspired one OF the
members to cause Taylor's death, ac-
cording to the detectives.
While the police centered their inves-
tigation around the possibility that Tay-
lor may have been the dominant figure
in love triangle or quadrangle they
did not overlook the fact that he may
have been the victim of n gunman inn
PEELED by some other motive.
Police said that the arrest of man
seen lettering in the vicinity of the Tay.
lor residence about the time of the mur-
der was believed near. This man, seen
by many persons, was suspected of hav-
ing killed Taylor because of jealousy
1t Is believed the man under suspicion
was intimate with some woman friend OF
the slain director.
That the man early Wednesday eve-
ming questioned Floyd Hartley. 331
South Bonniebrae street, and l.. A.
Grant. in charge of an oil service sta
ton as Sixth and Alvarado streets. az
to the address of the Taylor residence
was stated. Hartley and Grant place
the time OF the questioning at about G
o'clock.
Saw Him nt Taylor Home.
! A man answering the description oi
this suspect was said to have entered n
car at Maryland street. near by, either
at 1854 or S:25 +. M. The motormar
and conductor paid particular attention
to the man, they said. because few per-
sons entered the car Mt that point.
| Other persons who saw n man answer
ing the description OF the man sough,
included Mrs. Douglas MacLean. wife
of the film star. who lives next door to
the Taylor home. Both she and her
maid said they saw the man at the Tay-
lor home before and after the crime wa.
committed.