Evening star., 1949-07-24
Editor and Two Aides
Quizzed and Released
In Cohen Shooting
sy the Associated Pres.

LOS ANGELES. July 23.-Three
men were arrested today In San
Francisco for questioning about
the shooting of Gambler Mickey
Cohen. but were released.
They are Jimmy Tarantino. 38,
editor Of Hollywood Night Life -
magazine; Hy Porter, %. Taran-
tinos San Francisco representa-
tive, and Joseph Tenner, 40. for
mer San Francisco night club
owner and an, advertising sales
man there for Tarantino.
They were picked up ION in
formation" by San Francisco po-
lice. Two Los Angeles sheriff S
detectives flew here to question
them.
Bail Is Refunded.
At first, Tarantino was released
on 81 900 bond with a hearing set
for Tuesday. Later. all three men
were set free and Tarantino's bail
was refunded.
Capt. Frank Moulton and Sergt.
Dave Terry Of the Los Angeles
sherlff's ONCE said they had no
further interest in holding the
men.
The two investigators were ac-
companied to San Francisco by
Ray Mccarthy of the Attorney
Generals office. All three said
they planned to remain in San
Francisco to check out" other in
formation in connection with the
Cohen case.
San Franciscos chief Of police
inspectors, James English. said
Tarantino was questioned be-
cause, during an argument there
recently. the editor was heard to
say I'll take care OF Mickey
Cohen"
Calls Detention Ridiculous.
Tarantino. calling his detention
ridiculous, said it amounted to
revenge" because his magazine
had criticized some San Fran
cisco police officials.
This left Los Angeles investl-
gators with one man in custody
for questioning about Wednes-
dav's shooting of Cohen and three
others. He is Tony Brancato'
formerly of Kansas City. an ex-
convict. He once was questioned
in the Buggy Siegel killing two
years ago.
sheriff's Inspector Gordon Boy
ers said his men were still seeKkle
Anthony Trombino, formerly OF
Kansas City.
From his hospital Bed Cohen
said Brancato couldn't have done
it He's not important enough.
He also said Tarantino had Wis
tied him in the hospital yesterday.
"I've known him for a long time
Cohen said. 1--WE exchanged favors
several times. He visited me about
As minutes before noon yesterday
and talked about the shootlng'
Just generally. you know
May Get Out of Hospital Soon.
Cohen and three others were
wounded early Wednesday as they
we're leaving a Hollywood night
club. Cohen, shot in the shoulder.
may be released soon. The others,
including an Attorney Generals
agent assigned to protect the
gambler. are in serious condition.
The sheriff today released JOS
eph E. Messina. 35. q figure seen
frequently at boxing symnaslums'
who also had been arrested for
questioning about the shooting
His alibi will stand up for the
time being" Inspector Bowers
said. Messina said he didn't even
know Cohen.
Pointing out that he visited
Cohen after the shooting, Taran-
tino asked: If they want me in
Los Angeles, why didn't they take
me them"
He added: Cohen says he
knows who shot him. He doesn't
know anything about who shot
him, think it was Eastern gang
sters."
One of the three persons
wounded with Cohen was reported
nearer to death than at any other
time since the shooting. He is Ed
ward tNeddie) Herbert, Cohen
henchman. Special Agent Harry
Cooper and Actress Dee David
were believed to be slowly recov-