The Washington times., 1922-07-26
GIRL HELD
IN KILLING
OF 'FL:|R7'
Conflicting Stories Hang Cloud
of Mystery Around Staying
In Cleveland.
BY International News Service.

CLEVELAND, July 26.-An at
tempted filtration with Mrs. Ma
bel Barnett, twenty-five years old
and pretty, in the Downing res
taurant in the heart of the Euclid
avenue theater district, resulted
in the killing early today Of Ed
ward 0'Connell, thirty-one, whose
home u said TO be at sGensss-on-
the Lake, Ohio, according to po-
lice theory. r-,. a..
Two Put Under Arrest.
A man giving the name Of Cliffoi d
Barnett. 728 East Sandusky street.
Kansas City. No. and a woman who
IL registered at police headquarters
as Mabel Barnett and refuses to give
her home address, are held for ques'
tioning at police headquarters after
they had attempted to flee the scene
Of the killing in touring car bear
ing two Texas license numbers.
The woman asserts that she Ia the
wife of Barnett, while he, declares
that he saw her for the first time
yesterday afternoon. She says that
her husbands father is wealthy
Texas oil operator and that they hav"
been touring New York and other
Eastern States and stopped for few
days on their way west in Cleveland.
Scores Of diners in the restaurant
early this morning saw the aferca-
ton which preceded the killing. The
couple, registered as Mr.. and Mrs.
Barnett, had scarcely entered the
dining room when O'Connell seated
himself at the same table.
Then angry voices Of the two men
were heard in heated alteration.
Witnesses say a blow was struck
A revolver was pulled, then three
shots in rapid succession rang out,
and O'Connell fell to the floor fatally
wounded. He died on his way to a
hospital.
The man and woman attempted to
make a getaway in their car, parked
outside the restaurant, but were ar
rested by Patrolman Buhl as they
stepped into the machine.
Woman Firm Under Grilling.
Continued grilling at police head.
quarters failed to break down the
first story told by the woman.
II never did II, never did" she
cried. ASK him, he knows" point
ing to her companion.
A cough interrupted the words,
then defiantly:
IT should worry IL they charge me
with murder. I've got tuberculosis
and I'll never live to die for It,"
1.-THE gun was in O'Conneus
hands" she sobbed. He pulled II
from his pocket and it went off by
accident"
n.r companions story. while
agreeing upon the facts of the quar-
rel, differed mater ally.
IT met this girl yesterday after
noon," he said. II never saw her
before. We had been out dancing
and came in for a bite to eat.
O'Connell spoke to the woman. I
resented It. O'Connell struck me
in the face and then pulled his
revolver. think the woman
picked It up and fired, and o'Con'
nell fell
Barnett said he was registered at
the Hotel Statler and that he was
Kansas City travelling salesman,
but a cheCk.up Of the guest list
failed to reveal his name.
Mrs. Barnett Is dark, medium in
stature, and pretty. She was
dressed in a terra Gotta colored
cape and silk stockings with a but.
terfly effect in the front and a
checkerboard effect in the back.
Her hands bore profuse en-
belishment Of rings, which police
are holding.
Another Couple Also Held.
She appeared defiant. powdering
her face and nose as she was
brought in to be questioned by de.
tectives.
Barnett IL a tall. sharp featured
man, wearing light gray suit and
straw hat. He appeared hag.
gard and worn out this morning
when he walked out Of the detec.
tive bureau into Captain Mato-
uyit 1'a offi1a