Feb. 1, 1958
Los Angeles
Rock ‘n’ roll singer Li’l Julian "These Lonely Nights" Herrera and two
companions are in custody on rape charges after taking two teenage
girls to Griffith Park, The Times says.
The girls told police that Herrera (Ronald Wayne Gregory), 19, 4159 Verdant St.; David Luan, 20, 440 La Cleve [La Clede?] Ave.; and Manny Ortiz, 19, 475 Maple Ave., drove them to a lonely spot near the observatory, The Times says.
One of the girls said Luan and Ortiz attacked her on a hillside, while
Herrera "attempted to molest her," The Times says. Luan and Ortiz admit
being at the park with the girls, but deny any attack. "I am not
involved," Luan said.
Unfortunately, The Times never followed up on this story, so we don’t
know whether Herrera made his weekend concert dates. He is
usually identified as an East L.A. performer, but he lived Glendale and
Herrera was apparently a stage name.
I’m amazed how the newspapers published the addresses of the suspects and victims back in the day. It seems like an invasion of privacy. Makes me wonder if “vigilante justice” took place from time to time.
–Newspapers of the era typically published those addresses. It is fairly incredible today.
–Larry
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