Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1922-04-21
FATTY ARBUCKLE
FOUND NOT GUILTY
Jury Which Heard Evidence Pom
derS Less Than Minute.
DIDN'T TAKE FORMAL VOTE
Jurors, Eight Men and Four Women.
issue Remarkable Statement in
which They Declare Acquttal
of Defendant Not ENOUGH.

San francisco, April 13.-Roscoe
FATTY Arkuckle stands vindicated of
the charge of manslaughter brought
against him just seven months AGO
as result of the death of Virginia
happe, a pretty motion picture actress,
Following party given at local
hotel.
Ine jury which heard the evidence
I'D the third trial of the motion pic
lure comedian reached a verdict Of
not guilty less than a mute after they
mad returned to deliberate. The YER
dict was reached without even a for
maj ballot being taken, being by unani-
nous rising vote following the cleo
ton of Edward w. Brown as foreman
Immediately after their discharge
Dy the court the jury issued one Of
the most remarkable statements ever
emanating from a juryroom.
Acquittal is not enough for Roscoe
ArDuckle," read the statement. 1--WE
feel that a great injustice has been
done him. We feel also that it was
only our plain duty to give him this
there was not the slightest proof adj
duced to connect him in any way
with the commission Of the crime.
He was manly throughout the case
ana told straightforward story on
the witness stand which we all be-
| lieved.
THE happening at the hotel was an
unfortunate affair for which Arbuckle
who, so the evidence shows, was not
the host at the party, was in no way
responsible.
Wish FATTY" Success.
I'VE wish him success and hope that
the American people will take the
judgment of IA men and women who
have sat for 81 days listening to the
evidence that Roscoe Arbuckle is en-
tirely innocent and free from blame."
The verdict came with stunning sud-
denness. The jury retired at sos.
Arbuckle and his attorneys left the
courtroom and were sauntering up and
down the hallway outside when a mes
senger was sent to Judge Louderback's
chambers announcing that the jury de-
sired to come in.
1t required more than Is minutes to
bring into court representatives of the
district attorney and until their arrival
Arbuckle sat in suspense, although the
smiling faces of the jurors betrayed
the contents of the paper held in the
hand of their foreman.
10 or han 70
Judge Louderback, who. before read
ing it, cautioned the crowded court
room against demonstration.
1--WE find the defendant not guilty."
the judge read Arbuckle half rose
in his chair and threw his arms about
the shoulders of his veteran chief
counsel. Gavin McNab, seated beside
him.
A stifled sob came from Mrs. Minta
Durfee Arbuckle, the comedians wife,
who was seated in the front row of
the audience. She had cried softly
during the period of waiting.
Judge LOuderback thanked the
jurors. Assistant District Attorney
U'ren and Mr.. McNab added their
thanks, the judge adjourned court and
Arbuckle was free.
Rush for ArbuckIe.
The whole courtroom en- masse
rushed to shake hands with Arbuckle.
But brushing them all aside he made
for the jury box and shook the hands
of each juror. 1t was in a sense an
ovation as the jurors crowded about
Arbuckle. showering him with good
wishes as he voiced his thanks in a
broken voice.
Mrs. Arbuckle was quickly at his
side and kissed the four women jurors.
AS quickly as the crush could be
opened up, the jurors retired to the
jury room. There they sent for
Arbuckle and in his presence framed
the statement which they issued be-
fore departing for their homes.
This is the happiest day Of my life."
cried Mrs. Arbuckle
81 knew it would come" were
Arbuckle's first words after the YER
dict.
1--WE laid our cards. on the table. We
gave the jury everything we had. 1t
was the finest type of jury ever
selected in the city of San Francisco
and we never doubted for a moment
the outcome at their hands. We knew
Roscoe Arbuckle was innocent. The
| jury believed so too. 1t is the vim
dication we sought for an innocent
| man."
This was the statement of Gavin
McNab, Arbuckle's chief counsel.
| For the state, Assistant District At
| torney U'ren said Wien the verdict
was returned:
"We thank the jury for the patient
attention they gave the evidence 1t
was their duty 20 weigh that evidence
and reach their verdict"