The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-22
MABEL NORMAND l
 RELATES SHOOTING |
Testifies at Hearing of Her
 Chauffeur

Mabel Normand, pretty screen come dienne, appeared in a tragic role Mon day as she told in court her version of the shooting of Courtland s. Dimes, wealthy Denver oil man, by her ehauf- feur, Horace A. Greer, duringf &oNew Years night party.
 But she was always the actress. Only when fustered by abrupt interruptions of the defense counsel did she lose her aplomb, and repeatedly, as the crowded courtroom applauded her testimony, she bowed in return as if to a theatre audi ence.
 The star failed to identify as her property the pistol with which Dimes was shot. Greer stated he took the gun from Miss Normand's dresser table.
 Dimes is still seriously ill, and Greer,s preliminary hearing must be dragged on. The victim of the chauf- feur's gun cannot appear in court or submit to a bedside examination for two weeks, an affidavit filed by Dr. Guy s. Cochran, his physician, stated.
 Smiling, Miss Normand took the wit ness stand. She was clad in an attrac- tive three-piece, blue serge suit, trimmed with silver beads, with bon net, gloves, shoes and hose of gray.
 Do I sit down or stand upg' she asked the court, after being sworn.
 Greer drove her to Dimes apartment Late in the afternoon of New Years Day, and she told him to return in an hour and half, the star testified. The defense objected to testimony relating to what took place when Greer was not present, but Miss Normand went on with her story.
 Sent For Dimes
 "I telephoned the, house, however, because MT. Dimes said he hadn't re- eeived my Christmas present." she said. I had been there about 45 minutes then. Joel mean Mir. Kelley, as that was the name knew my chauffeur by was to bring my present over. He wasn't to call to take me home.
 Well, the doorben rang, and MT. Dimes asked who was there. Someone answered Joe.' Miss Purviance was in the bedroom, and was on the davenpoftAor-no, I'm making a mis- take, Mir. Greer came in with the pack age, and I got up"
 There was some talk between Dimes and her chauffeur, the actress said, adding that T got up and went to the bedroom door and asked Miss Purviance for a powder puff. She was powder ing her face and all that sort of thing.
 -'AThe next thing I knew I heard the shots. I thought they were firecrack- CTS going off, like they do at the studio.
 Il was right in the doorway" she replied to question, adding that she was not looking at the men when the shots were fired. She did not see Greer again, Miss Normand said.
 Why did you do it ?" seemed to be the silent message the actress flashed to her chauffeur, who sat nearby, staring at her, when the gun with which Dimes was shot was produced. Greer appeared coyed.
 Policeman A. W. Sto1l told of Greer staggering into the police station after the shooting.
 s1 just shot a man three times and would have shot him some more if the gun hadn't jammed," he quoted Greer as saying. Dimes showed me, and wanted to shoot the dirty rat"
 Dimes Still Ill
 Despite an affidavit presented by Dimes physician, saying that the oil man was so ill that he could not ap- pear in court or submit to a bedside examination for two weeks, Judge Hanby held 15-minute hearing at the hospital Monday night. Dimes, how ever, added little to the case.
 "I let Greer in when he knocked and asked for Miss Normand," the wounded man said 'I was angered by his tone of voice. Then the next thing I re- member was hearing a shot and find ing myself on the floor."
 Dimes said his recollection of the af- fair was very hay. He said he did not know whether there was a bottle on the table, or whether he threatened the chauffeur.
 The oil man was so i'll that he was not cFOsS-examined