Omaha daily bee., 1922-04-13
Verdict Is
Returned in
g Minutes
Film Star Freed in Third
Trial on Manslaugh,er
Charge Following Death
Of Virginia Rsppe.
Comedian Deeply Moved

San Francisco. Cal. April IA
verdict OF aequittal was returned by
4 jury today IN the third trial OF
Roscoe tFattyS Arbueklc on a man
slaughter charge growing out OF the
death OF Miss Virginia Rape. mo-
ton picture actress. The Jury was
out SIX minutes.
The third trial OF Arbuckle began
/ March q. and was marked by the
appearance OF approximately 20 Wit
nesses and the calling OF two OF
the defense witnesses before , he
county grand jury in connection
with their testimony. The trial was
longer than either of the previous
trials, consuming nearly five weeks.
As in the previous hearings, much
emphasis was placed on expert medi-
cal testimony regarding the exact
condition OF Miss Rappe before and
after death.
Verdict by Acclamation.
The vredict was by acclamation,
the deliberation taking less than a
minute. The additional time was
consumed in details.
Edward Brown. whose presence
on the jury was objected to BY the
prosecution. was foreman. There
was slight delay when the Jury
returned, due to the absence of the
district attorney.
The defendant was deeply af
iected. The verdict was received by
him with a great sigh Of relief. There
was no demonstration, the court hav-
ing warned against it.
Mrs. Minta Durfree Arbuckle, the
defendants wife. cried. Both she and
Arbuckle shook hands with the
jurors.
The quick return OF the jurors was
surprise.
Jurors and spectators crowded
around Arbuckle and his counsel and
finally bore him off to the jury room
to congratulate him further.
No Immediate Plans.
"Arbuckle has no immediate plans"
Gavin McNab, his chief counsel,
said. "lt was splendid victory"
The jury did its duty was the
comment of Milton T. U'Ren, as
sistant district attorney.
Mrs. Arbuckle expressed her
thanks to McNab by giving him re-
sounding kiss. The jurors held all
informal reception with Arbucklc in
the jury room while newspaper
photographers, armed with fash
lights. took many pictures.
A group of jurors, headed by
Brown, issued statement which
said: ...
"Asquittal is not enough for Ros-
coe c. Arbuckle. We feel that a
great injustice has been done him.
"He acted in manly manner and
told straightforward story"
Both sides waived the reading of
written instruction in the courts
final charge to the jury. The court
room was packed throughout the
final session.
By coincidence. the case went to
the jury at approximately the same
time as in the two former hearings,
which ended III disagreements.
Arbuckle Nervous.
The day was occupied largely by
the concluding argument Of Gavin
McNab, chief counsel for the de-
tense, and Leo Friedman, youthful
assistant district attorney.
Arbuckle was nervous through
out Friedman's argument. He whis-
pered to his counsel at times when
Friedman appeared to make a par
ticularly telling point. In his charge.
Judge Harold Louderback defined
manslaughter. He distinguished it
from unavoidable homicide, which he
said was not subject to legal ac-
ton. r..
He also defined expert medical
testimony. around which both
prosecution and defense built their
respective cases to a great extent.
THE fact that an indictment has
been returned against the defendant
5 no evidence of his guilt" the
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