Imperial Valley press., 1926-10-25
DEFENSE TRIES
TO DISCRED!T
MRS. WlSEMAN
Chief Witness Against
Mrs. Mcpherson Seve-
rely Examined.
By LINCOLN QUARBERG
United Press Staff Correspondent


LOS ANGELES, Oct. -. - At
tempts to impcach the testimony of
Mrs. Lorraine Wiscman, selt-con
frsscd co-conspirator and chief
state $ witness in the Aimee Scmple
McPherson hearing, were launched
today by the defense.
Superior Judge Carlos S. Hardy
testified in behalf of Mrs. McPher-
son. who is accused of pcrpetrating
Il Kidnapping hoax, that certain vital
portions of Mrs. Wiscman 5 tcsti-
monv were false.
The testimony which Judge
Hardy attacked concerned asserted
conversations with the states wit
ness. "Therc was nothing like that
said between Us - that IS not
true, - the defense witness declared
in commenting on various state-
mcnts made by Mrs. Wiseman On tho
witness stand in connection with nj,
legged conversations between the
woman and Judge Hardy.
Believes Kidnapping
Under cross examination Judge
Hardy expressed the opinion that
Mrs. Mcpherson was really kidnap-
ed.
''Now judge said the states
attorney. "do you honestly believe
Mrs. Mcpherson WAS kidnapod?'
~ believe she was kidnapped, y
replied the witness. ~ have no
reason to believe otherwise.
Mrs. Wiscman was Nisibly merry
ous while Judge Hardy gave his
damaging testimony. She fidgcted
in her chair and made notes OF the
iurist's remarks.
s. S. Hahn, who claims to be her
attorney, created Il mild sensation
by requesting permission to leave
the courtroom. after waving the
right to cross examine the defense
witness.
Il want the court to excuse me,
said Hahn, "and | waive crosS-eX-
animation of Judge Hardy Mrs.
Wiseman has agreed and is willing
to sit through this testimony with
out having it questioned.
Mrs. Wseman came to my of
flee and told me she had spent a
week or two at Carmel and Monte
rev. said Judge Hardy. She Haid
she was at Carmel when Mr.. Ryan
was investigating there and had
heard many of the WITNESSES, ana
had gathered many facts, which,
she said, might be of Importance to
the district attorney.
She said she had suffered Sor'
row and wanted to help Mrs. Me
Pherson out.
Judge Hardy then explained IN
detail how Mrs. Wiscman told hlm
that she knew the sister of Belle
Owen" and not Mrs. Mcpherson
was at Carmel with OrmiSton. She
told of plan to bring this woman
back from the east, the Judge sald,
where she had fled with the radio
man.
- Belle Owen, was not the real
namc.n the witness said, explaining
the description given him by Mrs
Wiscman.
Judge Hardy then told of a con
versation with DR.. A. NJ. Waters,
who committed suicide recently.
''Waters told me of seeing Orm' !
lStOn drive AWAY ilo''i wy 80 a.
hotel with n woman whom at iirSt
he thought was Mrs. McPherS"h'
the witness continued. waters was
not positive of the time, but he be
lievcd il was some time during i"S'
May. . a.
''Waters subsequently went TO
Angclus Temple and after seeing
Mrs. Mcpherson there he was con
vinced that Ormiston s companion
was not the evangelist.
Defense attorney w. |. Gilbert re-
pcatcd an announcement maze
two weeks ago that Mrs. McPherson
would not be called to the stano
during the current hearing to test
fv in her own defense. IL the
evangelist is bound over for triai
she may testify, Gilbert said