Dowling to Face Trial Despite Marrying Girl
Los Angeles (AP)-Despite his marriage to the complaining witness, R.C. “Dapper Danny” Dowling, film dance director, must stand trial on kidnapping charges.
Accused of kidnapping Mrs. Marjorie Crawford Wellman, former actress, to whom she was married a week ago, Dowling appeared arm-in-arm with his bride before Judge Fletcher Bowron yesterday and heard his case set for trial in Superior Court June 5. At his preliminary hearing, Mrs. Wellman alleged Dowling had forced her under threat of death to accompany him to Yuma, Ariz. where she escaped marrying him by pleading illness.
“Certain portions of the kidnapping story appeared improbable,” Judge Bowron commented in overruling a prosecution motion for a dismissal, “but there is evidence on record that Dowling was guilty of assault or someone is guilty of perjury.”
Dismissal of the charge had been requested by Buron Fitts, district attorney, after Dowling told him he and Mrs. Wellman were married. Deputies of the district attorney’s office said a wife must testify against her husband if she is the injured party.