THE M'PHERSON CASE

Otago Witness, Issue 3775, 20 July 1926, Page 32

THE M'PHERSON CASE

SENSATIONAL STATEMENTS. LOS ANGELES, July 8. What are described by District-attorney Cline as very sensational developments, have occurred in the case of Mrs Aimee MTherson, who has reappeared after being missing for five weeks. The search has been centring on the identification of the typewriter used to write a number of letters signed “ The Avengers” during the period when the evangelist was missing, and on top of this came a new one to-day which constituted a climax. Using the same typewriter and signature as in the previous letter, and demanding £IOO,OOO ransom, came a new letter addressed to the Assistant District Attorney, Mr Lucas. The letter read: “Unless you call off the investigation you will be shot like a dog. the MTherson mystery drop where it is right now.” Sensational disclosures in the case are also promised from a 75-page report, received from the Chief of Police at Douglas, Arizona. This report awaits release by the grand jury. Meanwhile, the radio operator, Ormiston, is again being looked for. Mr Ernesto Doubion, the Mexican I Mayor of Aguaprieta, does not enjoy the notoriety which his city has attained as a result of the harbouring of Mrs M'Pherson, who disappeared for five weeks. He has issued a statement describing her kidr apt ing as “all a fake.” Mr Doubion insists that Mrs M'Pherson was in Douglas, Arizona, several days before she announced herself on June 22, that she drove out by motor car to a cabin four miles east of Aguaprieta, stayed there all night, and then dramatically returned, allegedly footsore and weary and with her clothing torn. It is hinted that the evangelist and her mother may face an indictment based on the strength of a letter which contained evidence that, on Saturday, June 19, it was known that Mrs M'Pherson was alive, and yet at memorial services on the following day £BOOO was collected. The grand jury investigati >n •.'ill turn almost wholly upon the letter demanding £IOO,OOO ransom. It is alleged that this letter contained absolute proof that Mrs MTherson was alive, but that it was suppressed, and in the face of it Mrs Kennedy, the evangelist’s mother, proceeded with the memorial service. It is also alleged that the letter was tampered with to deceive the police as to the time of its arrival.