ARBUCKLE’S TRIAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 January 1922, Page 5

ARBUCKLE’S TRIAL.

IMPORTANT CHANGE IN TESTIMONY PROSECUTION WEAKENING. By Telegraph.—l‘rrss Assn—vop v rlght. ban Francisco, Jan. 20. The prosecution’s case is weakening against Arbuckle owing to a change in the testimony of two of the chief witness, Zey Prevost and Alice Blake. The former now denies that she heard Miss Rappe say: “He hurt me,” and declares that the District Attorney endeavored to get her to sign a paper saying she heard Miss Rappe say: “I’m dying; he killed me.” Witness said that when she refused to do this the attorney persuaded her to testify at the first trial that she heard Miss Rappe say: “He hurt me.” —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. Received Jan. 22, 5.5 p.m. San Francisco, Jan. 20. An epidemic of forgetfulness has broken out among the prosecution’s witnesses at the second Arbuckle trial. Al Semnacher, Miss Rappe’s manager, who was one of the State's strongest witnesses at the first trial, declared he failed to remember many things he testified previously. The district attorney made a statement charging moneyed interests with playing a big part in influencing witnesses. The sole point on Friday gained was the testimony of a former night watchman at a movie studio, who declared that in 1919 Arbuckle offered him a handful of money for the keys of Miss Rappe’s dressing room. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.