New-York tribune., 1922-02-11
Mabe1Nornand
Is Questioned in
Taylor Murder
Not in Love With Director.
morbid They Quarrel, She
Asserts, After Answering
Summons Of Prosecutor
NO Solution of Mystery
Miss Minter Already Heard
i'll Secret; Scene at Film
Makers Home Re.enacted

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 1O.-Mabel Nor
mand, motion picture actress. who was
among the last persons to see William
Desmond Taylor. slain firm director.
alive, was interrogated tonight by Dis
trlct Attorney Woolwine She arrived
at his office at o'clock in response to
summons from that official.
With Miss Normand vas William
Davis, her chauffeur, who drove the
actress to the Taylor home the night
the director was murdered. and who
previously. IN statements to the police,
corroboratcd her declaration that
Taylor accompanied her to her auto
mobile when she departed.
She and Davis were questioned as to
what information they might be able
to give the authorities in solving the
murder mystery, it WAS officially stated.
mo Solution" She Declares
Miss Normand later issued state
ment tonight through her manager, in
which snc declared she could "not offer
any solution whatever" for the slavino
OF Taylor
Miss Normand denied she was in
love with Taylor or had quarreled
with him. The statement was issued
Just before Miss Normand went into
the Office of the District Attorney to
be questioned regarding any clew she
might possibly be able to give in the
search for Taylor's slayer. The state
ment follows:
NO one will over know how regret
the terrible tragedy. have told
truthfully everything ] know and am
very sorry. indeed, | cannot offer any
solution whatever as to the motive
which prompted the terrible deed. 7
have satisfied the Los Angeles authori-
ties. both police and District Attor-
ney's office, that know nothing about
the murder and have offered my serv-
ices or statement at any time may
be called to help apprehend the as
sassin.
"The handkerchief and gown found
N Mr.. Jaylor's apartment have been
identified other than mine. 1t has
been established that was not in love
with Mr.. Taylor, that he escorted me
until ] drove away. when we waved
goodby to each other.
Denies Quarrel With Taylor
please tell the public that know
absolutely nothing about this terrible
happening and that Mr.. Taylor and
did not quarrel'
Miss Normand has been i'll since. it
was said to- day, the day Taylor's body
was taken to the vault in the Holly
wood Cemetery. That day she swooned
when she looked at the dead mans
face. The letters she wrote to Taylor,
letters sought in vain for ore than
a week until they we're found in an
old boot in Taylor's clothes press,
came to-day under the District At
torney's scrutiny. He would not com
ment on them. 1t is probable that the
letters will be returned to Miss Nor
mand, after she has put her story in
writing.
Whether the letters. which are
sprinkled with "Blessed Baby" and
Dear Baby" phrases, we're a cause of
jealousy and Of dread. their posses
sion a menace or proof Of affection.
Mr. Woolwine would not hint.
Woolwine and his staff went to the
Taylor home to-day and re-enacted all
the details of the murder tht are
known. The District Attorneys chauf-
feur, Ammon Fisher, lay on the floor
where Taylor was found, arms at his
side. feet together. face turned to the
ceiling. A chair was placed where it
had been found, overturned, partly COW
ering the legs. But there was no cock
CONTINUED page four,