HONOLULU SENSATION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23118, 18 February 1937, Page 9

HONOLULU SENSATION

WOMAN’S STORY OF ASSAULT HEAVY DRINKING ADMITTED HONOLULU. Feb. 16. A story of assault recalling the sensational Massie case was told today by the wife of a navy officer under protracted police questioning. Mrs Bennett Copping, aged 24, the wife of a submarine commander, reported that she was dragged from her hotel cottage across 75 feet of open yard into a garage and attacked. The city physician' announced, after two examinations, that there were no indications that she had been attacked. The police questioned her throughout last night and to-day, and announced that a third physical examination would be made. The young woman, who was born and reared in the Philippines, where she married Lieutenant Copping seven years ago, remained calm under the questioning, and said that after leaving the hotel room at 5 o’clock in the morning following an all-night drinking party, a man suddenly appeared in the hallway and seized her by the throat. She lost C'. nsciousness and recovered in a garage as her assailant was leaving. He was a white American, but she was unable clearly to describe him. She admitted that she was shortsighted and had been drinking heavily.