Jan. 27, 1942: Ida Greenberg testifies in the trial of Benjamin “Bugsy” Siegel (d. 1947) and Frank “Frankie” Carbo (d. 1972) in the killing of her husband, Harry “Big Greenie” Greenberg, who was shot to death in his driveway at 1804 N. Vista Del Mar on Nov. 22, 1939. Prosecutors say the union labor racketeer demanded $5,000 to keep from informing on what he knew about Murder Inc.

Carbo was accused of shooting Greenberg five times in the head and Siegel was charged with leading the killers to Greenberg’s house and driving one of the getaway cars.

Al Tannenbaum, who received immunity in exchange for his testimony, said he brought the murder weapons to Los Angeles from New York and gave them to Carbo and Siegel.

My favorite quote:

“Prosecutors later explained that Mrs. Greenberg did not know her husband was engaged in the union labor racketeering enterprises in New York under the direction of Louis (Lepke) Buchalter and Jacob Gurrah.”

A legal dispute is blocking the burial of Judge Joseph Franklin Rutherford, head of the Jehovah’s Witnesses, who died Jan. 9. Rutherford wished to be buried the next day on a hillside at his San Diego mansion, but neighbors complained that the burial would lower property values.

Bruno Walter is arriving on the Santa Fe Chief to appear as guest conductor with the Los Angeles Philharmonic.

Jimmie Fidler says: Freddy Martin has assigned all royalty from his recordings of “When There’s a Breeze on Lake Louise” and “Heavenly, Isn’t It?” from RKO’s “The Mayor of 44th Street” to President Roosevelt’s Infantile Paralysis Fund.