Imperial Valley press., 1927-01-10
CHARGES
DISMISSED
BY kEYES
Case Against Evangelist
Is Thrown Out of Court
In Los Angeles.
PERJURY CHARGED
False Testimony Given
By Mrs. Wiseman Is
Reason for Action.
By LINCOLN QUARBERG
United Press Staff CORRESPONDENT


Los ANGELES, Jan. 10. - The
Aimee Semple Mcpherson conspir-
acy case, which has been a national
sensation for many months, was or
dered dismissed today in superior
court.
The charges Of conspiracy to OBJ
struct justice, against the evangel-
list, her mother, Mrs. Minnie Ken
nedy and Kenneth G.. Ormiston, for.
mer radio operator of Angelus tenn
pie, were thrown out of court at the
request of District Attorney Asa
Keves.
Keyes told the court that the ease
against the evangelist and her as
sociates had collapsed because the
states star witness, Mrs. Lorraine
Wiseman, had given perjured testi-
mony at the preliminary hearing.
The proceedings were brief. Keyes
simply told presiding Judge Albert
Stephens that his chief witness had
turned out to be a perjurer," and
that he "cannot convict the de.
PENDANTS on perjured testimony
Judge Stephens Immediately or
dered that the case be dismissed. Or
miston was the only defendant in
the courtroom.
The radio man was present for
arraignment on an indictment charg-
ing him with one count Of conspir
acy.
Mrs. Mcpherson and Mrs. Ken
nedy, who were defendants in q pre-
liminary hearing which lasted six
weeks and cost the state an estimat
ed 100000 were not in court.
Keyes' action was not unexpect.
ed. He declared two weeks ago
when Mrs. Wiseman confessed, ae-
cording to the prosecutor, that she
gave perjurcd testimony at the
hearing, that he would undoubtedly
recommend dismissal of the case.
The evangelist at that time pre-
dicted the case would be terminated
abruptly and began making plans
for a nationwide revival tour. She
leaves tomorrow for Denver, first
stop of an evangelistic transforming
of the east and middlewest.
"I am glad, of course, that truth
has won OUT said Mrs. Mcpherson,
commenting on the court s decision.
"I am glad not only because the
charges against me have been dis
missed, but glad also that Mrs. Wise
man has found solace fof her soul
in her confession that sle did not
tell the truth at the preliminary
hearing.
The courtroom was filled TO over
flowing when the district attorney
appeared before the bar, and re-
quested that the charges against the
evangelist, her mother and OrmistOn,
be swept from the records.
''It is my duty, as Iysee it, 10
exonerate the defendantN complete
ly.' said Keyes in n written state
ment filed with the court.
"These defendants cannot be
prosecuted with honor or success.
Legally the case rests on the story
of Mrs. Wiseman. Without her
testimony there is no case.'
"You say You cannot trust the
truth and veracity of Mrs. WISE
mans testimony" said Judge
Stephens. "Therefore it is incum-
bent upon this court, at your request
to dismiss Immediately the charges
against all the defendants and exon
crate them. 1t is so ordered"
Collapse of the Mcpherson ease
began with the voluntary return to
California of Ormiston. The radio
man disappeared shortly after the
evangelist dropped from sight on
May IS, last, while swimming at
Ocean Park.
Keycs, in his plea for dismissal,
asserted that the Mcpherson ease
"did not cost a fabulous SUM for in
vestigation."
"This case, as far as the inves-
tigation angle is concerned, was
much cheaper than any other ease
of its magnitude, " said the prosecu-
tor, "because of the help given my
office by the newspapers, who are
responsible for digging up the great
err part or the evidence.