Evening star., 1924-01-02
Mabel Normand's Driver Ad-
mits Wounding CIubman,
Host to Film Stars.
EDNA PURVlANCE ALSO
CENTRAL FIGURE IN CASE
Gilman Denies He Started Row
When Assailant Tried to Break
Up Party"
Rx the Associated Press.

by the Associated PresS.
LOS ANGELES, Calf. January g.
The infatuation of chauffeur for his
Aim actress employer and his jealousy
of her wealthy Denver acquaintance,
according to the police, were the mo-
tives that prompted Joe Kelly, alias
H. A. Greer, to shoot Courtland S.
Dimes of Denver, last night in the
presence of the two moving picture
stars, Mabel Normand and Edna Pur-
Siance.
Early today, surgeons attending hin,
predicted Dimes would recover
Kelly freely admitted the shooting,
according to the police, even going
out of his way to bring them the pis-
tol and announce:
81 just shot a man."
Dimes. Miss Normand and Miss Edna
Purviance. motion picture actress,
were spending the afternoon and eve
ming of a chilly New Year day in the
Denver mans apartment here when
Kelly appeared and insisted that Miss
Normand leave with him. He had
been sent to take her home, he told
the police.
An argument is said to have arisen,
and Miss Normand at first refused to
go home. Then she changed her
mind. according to the chauffeur, and
allowed him to lead her toward the
door.
But Dimes got up and started to
grab a bottle" Kelly is said to have
told the police. land that's where the
trouble started. I just shot him. I
was so nervous the darn gun kept
on shooting. 1t fired three shots, l
think, and jammed."
Actresses Distressed.
Roth NiSo NOrrna and and Miss Pnr-
viance were much distressed over the
shooting. Police found them at the
apartment endeavoring to render first
aid to the injured man. Both Of the
young women were held for question
ing and later released, after an af-
fectionate scene in the receiving hospi-
tai, where Miss Purviance rushed over
. to Dimes cot and implored him not
to die. He assured her he would not.
Later the three were confronted
with reports that Miss Purviance and
Dimes were engaged; though no one
intimated that this had anything to
do with the shooting.
Miss Purviance declined to discuss
the reports; Miss Normand insisted
they were true, and Dimes denied them
f1atly.
In the Office Of the captain Of de-
two actresses and the chauffeur were
questioned exhaustively.
Miss Normand said she did not
, realize at first what the pistol shots
meant.
Don't you remember, Edna she ex-
claimed, turning toward Miss Pur-
viance during her explanation to the
detectives, that borrowed your pow
as we heard the shots, and you went
raving crazy and shouted My God,
what is this thing.' and 1 thought 1t
was some fireworks that some one was
using to celebrate the New Year,"
Pleads SeIf-Defense.
A detective lieutenant interrupted to
ask Kelly whether it was in fear Of
his own life or a desire to protect his
employer that he shot Dimes.
1T was fear for my own life," said
the chauffeur. II knew Dimes was
going to take that bottle and smash
me. I shot him to protect myself.
He didn't make much fuss about 1t,
but / saw what he was going to do
all right. He was just going to do
it nice and easy"
Mabel Normand is sick with ap-
pendicitis," he said, "and should be
in the hospital. I tried to get her
away from Dimes and he wouldn't let
her go, and when he interfered with.
ME 1 took out Miss Normand's pistol,
which 1 took from her home. and
shot him."
Miss Normand also looked in upon
Dimes at the receiving hospital and
shook a reproving finger at him
with:
I'm not going to play with you
any more. Look at the notoriety I'm
going to get out Of this"
Dimes version of the affair was
somewhat different.
I'VE were sitting in the apartment
chatting" he said. I'VE had a few
drinks and Kelly came in and in,
terrupted u.s. He demanded that Miss
Normafid leave,-~but she insisted on
gun and shot 1 don't know any
reason why he should have tried to
get me, as I positively made no
hostile move toward him."
Miss Purviance arrived at Dimes
apartment about o'clock in the
afternoon, she said. and Miss Nor
mand some time later.
Denies Dimes Made Move.-
According to Miss Purviance, Dimes
was sitting behind a table and made
latter shooting before Dimes could
get to his feet
Before the detectives in charge of
their grilling, the two motion picture
actresses appeared 1avishly dressed,
Miss Normand in. black velvet, with
Continued on Page 2. Column 81
---e--------
-