The Philadelphia Inquirer from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania • Page 8

8 a THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER. SATURDAY MORNING, APRIL 12. 1958 iimim i inn mm ii i i i iiiMii miii mi -S 1 a if) 1 a to fcr 3 HF7 v. vy (- h'-'yfrSf AP WtrPhotoi IP IriBPholo Lana Turner (lower right) and her lawyer, Jerry sit at counsel table at start of inquest into death of her Former gambler Mickey Cohen scowls and re- Stephen Crane (right) and attorney, Arthur Giesler, are surrounded by dozens of reporters as they boy friend. Courtroom as jammed.

fuses to testify at inquest Into ex-bodyguara uniting. vjicsici aic bui i uuuutu uj uuicns ui rc pui icis as uitry uuy menu, uuiuuum was jaiiuncu. macs iv icsiu; atuiijut miu ia-uuuuu. B- Crowley, arrive at Inquest In Stompanato death Urowiey, arrive ai inquest jn aiumpanaiu ucaui. Testimony of Lana Turner at Inquest in Stompanato Killing Tmm First I'm pnin? Into mv room." holding the iacket on the haneer.ithe Dhone and I came rizht back tion.

if vou can. ves or no. iheard some of those things to-lwant to eo back to the Bel-Air Q. You never saw this knife be- Continued From First Page and I'm going into my room. holding the jacket on the hanger, the phone and I came right back tion, if you can, yes or no heard some of those things to- Hotel where I was staying at thelfore? The Witness She wasn't in day." I told her I was sorry she in a way like he was going to beside Dr.

McDonald and Mr I don't know why I said that. strike me with it. And I said, Stompanato, and he told me how that house. She was with her, had heard them. She said, "Why She said, "Yes, mother." She was watching TV, and she said, grandmother does Johnny Mr.

Stompanato say these things to you? I heard "Don't ever touch me again. I to dial "0" and ask for emer am absolutely finished. This is gency, and I seemed to take for girl friend and she was also going to visit her father, Mr. Stephen Crane, and I had told my two friends that I would be home about 3:30. So, when I Q.

Here is what we are trying to get at were there any fights "Yes." So I went downstairs with Mr. him threaten you." the end. I want you to get out." ever. They were asking all kinds Cfnmn.nQfrt fnllnwinrT mp And And she said, "Momma, why between you and John Stompan And after I said that, I was of questions, who was at the walking toward the bedroom door house, who was the person, all time and Q. Miss Turner, please answer.

A. I am trying to answer. Q. After you told your daughter about this scene you have just testified to, did your daughter see Mr. Stompanato? A.

Yes. Q. How many times? A. No, sir. Q.

Now, tell us how old your daughter is, how tall she is, and how much she weighs. A. My daughter is 14. She will be 15 July 25. She is 5 foot SVi inches.

Her weight is approximately, I believe, 130. Perhaps between 130 and 135 pounds. Q. Is she what you might call don't you just tell him that you ato that Easter vacation week walked in they teased me, said Lthe quarrel now was becoming was late. So that's the way I more violent and answered and he was right behind me.

And when your daughter Cheryl are finished, just to go? and I said, I said, "Cheryl, I have I opened it. And my daughter know it was almost 4:30. back tnat was just finding out Then Mr. Stompanato and the i00 many lies, and that this one those things. I tried so hard to answer and finally I handed the phone to Dr.

McDonald, who stated his name and to rush a tried. Believe it or not I have came in. And I swear, it was so fast. I truthfully say I thought Crane was in the house? A. Yes.

Q. Will you tell us about how many such fights occurred when tried very hard for some time now." And she said, "You are afraid A. Well, he came back that night after he left, that is what two friends and I just sat aroundjmore that I found out was not and chatted for a while. Myjugt the worst lie, it was the one daughter came home abouthat was what made me say to 5:30, and left at njm that, "I can't go on like a quarter to six, saying that he this. You know that I have beg-j would telephone back at 7 or and naVe pleaded to you! she had hit him in the stomach.

As best I remember, they came together. But I still never saw the blade. Mr. Stompanato of him." resuscitator and told them where. He handed me back the phone and I hung up and he said, "You must call Dr.

Webber, and he told me the number to dial. I didn't she was in the house? The Coroner Approximately. The Witness Well, I can't, Mr. Coroner. The Monday before, And I said, "Yes, I am definitely afraid of him because I started to say.

Q. On just one occasion? A. Yes, sir, Q. When was the next oc he has hurt me. But I never to leave me alone.

Even with which was the 31st of March, my My friends left at, I believe, know what to say so again I daughter had undergone surgery about a Quarter to seven. Mr. casion? all your threats which I admit I had great fear of handed the phone to Dr. Mc StomDanato telcDhoned possibly A. That was at mother's apart and it had been a very difficult type of surgery because she had Donald who already put the shot about 10 minutes to eight, and We went back upstairs into ment again, because I had stayed overnight and the next two extra teeth up by the wisdom teeth and the dentist had to go in into the heart and was there is a word for it.

Q. Give him artificial respira fte said tnai ne wouia De over in my room still arguing. a little while and it was some, stompanato and i were time after 8 clock when he ar- back upgUiri in my bedroom Tiv5 both of us talking at once. He afternoon we had moved, and Mr. Stompanato helped me carry a few pieces of luggage.

And my to cut some bone away, away and consequently some stitches grabbed himself here (indicating). Q. For the record, the abdomen? A. Yes, sir. And he started to move forward, and he made almost a half turn and he dropped on his back and when he dropped his arm went out, so that I still didn't see that there was blood or a wound until I ran over to him.

And I saw his sweater was cut. And I lifted the sweater up and I saw this wound. tion? wanted you, Cheryl, to be any part of this." Then my daughter asked me what had happened in London. She said, "What really happened in London?" And I told her that it was absolutely unbearable trying to work. And I was very ill and Mr.

Stompanato would not leave me alone while he was there. And the threats and all of being crippled. And one time when he came, an athletic girl? A. Well, no. Q.

Does she like riding, swimming A. She loves horseback riding. The Coroner Wait. Wait until the question is finished. Q.

Would you say she is an athletic type girl? A. Yes. Q. Now, Miss Turner, on April 4, in the evening after 8 o'clock do you know whether or not the bedroom door of your bedroom was opened or closed? A. Well, at first, it was opened when I turned around and saw her standing there.

Shall I continue? Q. Do we infer that there was an open door during all of the argument? A. Yes, during most of the argument until I asked her to A. Yes, sir. Iam sorry.

He Q. All we are asking, Miss Tur V. uia you nave an argumem. kpnt savinB daughter saw him Wednesday r. kept trying to work on him and ner, is concerning these fights with Mr.

Stompanato before he and Thursday and Friday. Mr was, "There's no use talking any between you and John Stompan left your house the first time? Stompanato was always around. farther, but I can't go on like then when I had Dr. Webber on the phone, he came out and talked with him. ato the week before this hap A.

Well, not exactly an argu this and I want you to leave me pened. Did your daughter Cheryl ment at that point. My Q. Did you notice any difference in the attitude of Mr. Stompanato? A.

No, I cannot say whether I ever hear or see these fights? had asked me if I would be able He grabbed me by the arm and A. That is what I am trying to after he had choked me, he went to perhaps have dinner with AM CtAmnsn.lA ctartorl chnlrino them and I said no. that I didn't! into the bathroom and he got a noticed any definite difference, I remember only barely hear- me and cursing me badly, and t.j,., answer you. The Coroner Answer the ques tion yes or no. razor, and he came and he grab While he was talking, I tried to work on Mr.

Stompanato. My mother had come back into the room. She even tried to breathe into his mouth, hoping that every little bit would help. And, I remained while Dr. Mc certainly not on Mr.

Stompa ing my daughter sobbing. And 1 saying, as he had told me before. think so, because it was very late notice and my maid doesn't live in, and if I was going to go no matter what I did or how Ijran into my bathroom which was Ihe Witness Yes, this one tried to eet away, he would very close. And I grabbed a nato's part. Q.

What about Cheryl? A. I just found her looking at him sometimes. Maybe she look bed my head, and all the time screaming at me such violent things. And then he only started a little, just to give me a taste of it. And I begged and I pleaded.

I Monday. Q. All right. Tell us about that please. out, I would have to arrange for my mother so she could come to the house or my daugh Donald was making the second needle.

I do recall I also tried to leave and go back to her own bedroom, and I closed the door. never let me. He said that if he towel. I didn't know what to do. said for me to jump, I would Then I put the towel on Mr.

Stom-jump, and if he said for me to panato r.nd he was making very hop, I would have to hop. Ha dreadful sounds in his throat, a would even cut my face or terrible aouhd, and I Die me. And beyond that he would, went to the telephone and I call- A. It was March 31st. Shall I ter could go to her, as she has Q.

Do you recall, or do tou continue? said, "Please don't, please don't breathe into his mouth. The next thing the next thing I knew, Dr. McDonald said, "Lana, I can't get a heartbeat." never been left So, Mr. Stompanato was upset that I had even that I would even consider know whether or not she was standing there when any threats were made? ed at him before. I did not know it.

I don't know. Q. Did she ever talk to him about anything else? A. Not to my knowledge. Q.

Now, what day was it that you moved into your new home? A. Tuesday evening. Q. And you were out buying kill me and my daughter and my ed up my mother because I had Q. During this fight with John Stompanato was there some pretty strong language used at that time, where your daughter the idea with friends, but I had And he kept on working on him.

And then Dr. McDonald said, hurt me. And he said, "That is just to let you know I am not kidding. Don't think you can ever get away." Q. Did he cut you? A.

No, he didn't cut me. He A. I am certain she was. Q. You say he grabbed you'bT mother.

And he said, no matter been out of the country so long what, he would get me wherever I did not remember my doctor's it would hurt the most, and number, and I said, "Mother, ever came into the picture. "Lana, you must call Mr. Jerry where the argument was going the arm and started to shake vnu? Giesler." quick call Dr. McDonald," and she said, "What is the matter?" that would be my daughter and my mother. on and where she heard it? I had known Mr.

Giesler social some things for this home? A. Yes. just went close to my face. And I broke away from his a. Her Dearoom door was open.

I had left it open because it Q. Did you see the knife that ly, but I had never telephoned him before. I don't remember whether Dr. McDonald gave me Q. Was that in London? A.

Yes. holding me and I turned around to face the door and my daugh was shown to Chief Anderson, was difficult for her to call loudly after the surgery. And my moth Q. Did you tell her about this you have seen that knife before his number or what but I had ter was standing there and I not seen them for a long time. He said, "You mean I cannot come along?" And I said, "Well, surely I have a right to be able to see some people without you always being there.

And there's nothing wrong just to be able to sit and to discuss our friendship. It was friendship that started long ago that you don't even know about." So finally, I said, "Well, anyway I'm not going to have dinner with them tonight. Perhaps I will be able to Saturday night." razor? the feeling that Mr. Stompanato said: A. No, I did not tell her about is that right, Miss Turner? A.

Yes. Q. Will you tell this jury wheth was dead. "Please, Cheryl, please, don't er was working and Cheryl and I were alone in my mother's apartment. So I kept saying to Mr.

Stompanato, "Will you keep the razor, listen to any of this. Q. Did you tell her everything er this knife was purchased by Somehow, I got Mr. Giesler on the telephone and I told him this was Lana Turner, and I said that Flease go back to your A. Yes.

Q. Do you know whether or not your daughter was back? A. It was very close after that when I turned around and I saw her standing there. I have no idea how long she was there. Q.

Did you notice her emotion or reaction at the time you saw i her down there? A. She was absolutely just stricken. Just stricken. Q. How long did you see he standing there before she left? A.

Just long enough for me to say, "Please, Cheryl, I don't want you to hear this. Please et with the exception of the razor? room. A. Yes, now inghtened was something terrible had happen She looked at me, I think, as and how violent his threats were, if to say she would like to help you. A.

No, it was not. Q. How long have you had this particular knife? A. I have never seen the knife before until that night. ed, could he please come to my house, and he said, "Can you tell and that he would even hurt her.

me, because I know I repeated it and I begged her. I said, Q. What was her reaction to me what?" and I said, "Well, I left a call for my mother to that? all I know is that it's very dread "Please, Cheryl; don't listen to I said, "I can't explain, just tell him it is an emergency and to get here fast, please, mother." She said "yes," she would. I hung up and I screamed for my daughter and called to her loudly because I had gone back beside Mr, Stompanato and I called to Cheryl, "Cheryl, Cheryl." She came in and I said, "Help me. I don't know what to do, but maybe some cold cloths would help." So she went into my bathroom and she came back with two wet washcloths.

I was holding one and she was holding the other and handed it to me. I put it on his forehead and she kept saying, "Mommy, I didn't mean to do it. I didn't mean to do it." And she was so frightened and I was so frightened and I kept trying to assure her, Cheryl, that it would be all right. "I am sure it will be all right, and the doctor will be here in just a minute. Q.

You never saw this knife ful," and I think I said, "It's this." I begged her to go back John Stompanato." to her room and she went out of your voice down. Don shout so loudly. Her door is open. I have to leave it open in case she calls." Sometimes she did call and I just barely heard her say, "Mama, mama," because her throat was so sore and her mouth needed tending to. And she kept looking at me when I would go in.

And I tried very hard not to cry when I went in to bring her water or to fix her mouth solution or to give her some pills. But this argument went on all day 'ong. Q. Did you ever talk to your yourself? A. No.

Q. Tell the members of the jury I'm sure about so many things the door. back to your own bedroom." and then there are some that I Mr. Giesler said yes, that he Q. Now, after she left, vnu whether there were kitchen uten closed the door? sils in the home when you moved would come.

A. She was absolutely appalled. And she kept saying, "Why do you see him?" I said, "Cheryl, it isn't too easy. I think you know by now I can barely have a moment alone with you or mother." He was never away from me unless be knew exactly where I was, which was always with my mother and daughter. Q.

Miss Turner, did your in it. see if she was busy. If she wasn't, perhaps she could come for the evening and stay with the child or perhaps take her to dinner. As I say, Mr. Stompanato left.

He arrived back at the house sometime after 8 o'clock. XJ. Do you want a glass of water? was a momentary interruption while a glass of water was brought to the witness.) Q. And Mr. Stompanato returned to your home approx A.

Yes. Q. Now, just before the stah. The men with the resuscitator, I think, had arrived by then. I A.

This was a furnished home. bing you started to ween. Is that There was (The witness paused to drink from a glass of water.) The Witness Shall I go on? The Coroner Please continue. The Witness I turned to Mr. Stompanato after I had closed the door and I said, "That is just great.

My child had to hear all that. It is horrible. And I can't go through anything more." right? The Coroner Answer this know Dr. Webber had been there. It seemed like so many people were arriving all at once, and outside of Dr.

John McDonald and Stephen Crane, when I question. Were there kitchen daughter about the arguments you were having that week? utensils? daughter see Mr. Stompanato af The witness There was, yes, first saw him, and my mother, no sir. ter the occasion you told us about A. No, not until that night.

Q. Which night? A. Monday night, after Mr. one else spoke to me until Chief And he kept swearing andGranny has called and we are not Q. Did you ever notice whether imately A.

No. I had said to him. My last words were, I want you to get out, and as I said that, I opened the door and my daughter came in. Q. Now, where was Stompa- nato.

How far was Stompanato from the door at that time? A. He was right behind me. J. And your daughter rushed during that week and before the night in question? Anderson came upstairs and ask or not the knife was in the kitch It must have been I cannotithrealening me. And he had hadfar away." Stompanato had left my mother's apartment.

ed where he could talk to me. After that she burst out crying en before you saw it for the A. Yes. Q. How many times, do you first time on Friday night? Q.

What did you tell Cheryl at A. No, I did not notice. I knew know, and where was it? that time? say that it was 8:30, but I mayja jacket and shirt hanging in tell in just a minute. I know the closet. I forget exactly when it was after 8 o'clock.

The reason it was there or when he brought that the argument started wasjanother change from his apart-when Mr. Stompanato objectedjment. Anyway, it was hanging that they had stayed even an there. And he walked away from there were some knives there A. As a matter of fact, I didn't A.

She said, "Mother, I over past you. And I pointed out a little office in my room. And it Is true, I did beg "Please, can't I say that I did it?" because that's all I could think of at the time, that my daughter not be Involved in anything like this. again and ran out of the room. The Coroner Go ahead.

Please be quiet, gentlemen. The Witness I did not know that my daughter had telephoned her father, but he was the next one I saw. I don't know who let him in because only my daughter and Mr. Stompanato and I A. Yes, air.

Q. And then Stompanato and fell, is that the wav it hour after he had left, and the me and went to the closet. And it was on a hanger and he was words started, and he was verb ally very violent, and I went up happened. walking back to me as he was A. No, sir.

They came itur stairs and he was right behind And Chief Anderson said, no, gether. They parted. He or ah. me, and I walked into my daugh were mere ana oenevea i they were only interested in my maid did not live in, and facts and the truth, which ter's room, and she was watch bed his stomach and he walked a little ways and made almost a-, half turn and dropped on hit back. ing TV.

I walked over to her, and Mr. Stompanato was behind me all the time, and saying some remember I was still I was still they wouid find anyway, and it trying to talk to and call to Mr. would onjy hep jf wouid be Stompanato and I can't think. 'truthful. Then.

I cannot remember this.l And vou pave Chief Ander-Mr. Crane. I believe, took my-nn that time? Q. Did he ever make anv or hinge at Cheryl after being. Q.

What did he say? A. Well daughter out of the room. I had A. Yes, sir. The Coroner Mr.

McGinley, Q. Did he threaten you at that again gone back beside Mr time? Stompanato. Then my mother have you any further questions? A.Weil, no. The threats came in. I heard her calling from Q.

Miss Turner, how long had you been living in the house at downstairs and as she came in I weren then, but they were the language was very bad- got up and ran to her and said, "Mother, please don't look. It's that time? A. I had only moved in Tues John." And she said, "What hap day afternoon. A. No.

Q. Did you see Stompanato clasp his stomach. 1 "w- ha nit him in the stomach because I could see that they were like that. Q. What hand did she have the knife in.

-A. In her right hand. Q. In her left hand? A. Her right hand.

Q. Is she right-handed? A. Yes. Q. Was she standing swearing and I turned to Mr.

Stompanato I was standing in front of my daughter so about the time I happened to glance at the TV and I remembered that Q. Your daughter, Cheryl Crane, had she been away at pened?" And I said, "He has been hurt, and badly." She went away from me over beside Mr. Stompanato and saw school, to boarding school for it was the Phil Silvers show, and some time? vV I had been out of the country for lifted the towel and saw the A. Yes, she had been away to school. Her Easter vacation had a number of months working started.

wound, and put the toWel back, and she, too, kept trying to talk to him and chaffing his hands, and there I said, "Has the doctor come yet? Q. The vacation started the in front or to the side, or what. and I hadn't seen TV so I told him that I would like to be able to watch it for a moment. But he continued saying week end before that, correct? A. Yes, I believe so.

really don't I don't know how to answer that. And then I think my mother was so close to him. Q. Let me put it this way left the room and went into my your daughter had been home ap things, and finally I turned to bim and I said, "I told you I told you I didn't want (o argue in front of the baby." I bad always called her that. daughter's room, and it seemed proximately a week i 1'f almost immediately that Dr.

A. Yes, she had. John McDonald was there and Q. Was John Stompanato ever Q. Were you standing behind her.

A. No. She and Mr. Stompanato were, like, here, and I was there. I don't know how I got there.

Q. Were you to the aide of both AP Wlrrphoto if -k He said, well, he didn't know saw Mr. Stompanato lying there' in the house that week after your and immediately opened his bag why not. daughter had come home from school to the place where you I said, "Well, we are not of them. were living then? Stephen Trusso is shown just after he interrupted inquest into Johnny Stom-panato's death by shouting "I want to testify." His request was denied.

ITP Trlepboto and while he was preparing what I later found out to be an adrenalin shot, he said, "Lana, you will have to call the ambulance." I started fanning over to get A. I beg your pardon. A. When my daughter came going." So I turned to my daughter and I said, "I'm going downstairs and I'm coming right back up. Lana Turner holds a whispered conversation with her attorney, Jerry Giesler, few mlnutet befor itart of yesterday'! lnqut la Hollywood.

home from school The Coroner Auwer thcuM Continued en Page Column 1.