Author Archives: lmharnisch

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About lmharnisch

I am retired from the Los Angeles Times

In the teeth of the evidence

Posted on October 18, 2007 by lmharnisch

  Evelyn and L. Ewing Scott during a cruise on the Queen Mary. Oct. 16-18, 1957 Los Angeles In its opening days, the Leonard Ewing Scott murder trial has focused Evelyn Scott’s eyeglasses and dentures, which were found behind the … Continue reading →

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Ike, Elizabeth meet

Posted on October 17, 2007 by lmharnisch

Oct. 18, 1957

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October 17, 1957: Matt Weinstock

Posted on October 17, 2007 by lmharnisch

Oct. 17, 1957 It was recently stated here that the origin of Murphy’s Law, a derisive bit of whimsy among airplane people, was unknown. The “law” states, “If an aircraft part can be installed incorrectly, someone will figure out how … Continue reading →

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October 17, 1957: Paul V. Coates–Confidential File

Posted on October 17, 2007 by lmharnisch

Oct. 17, 1957 He sat nervously in the chair opposite me. The staccato beat in his speech reflected his anxiety. “Nothing would ever have happened to me,” he said, “except that on her dead body was found my name. “I … Continue reading →

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Karil Rogers Graham and ‘The Badge’

Posted on October 17, 2007 by lmharnisch

“She was such a grand, lovely person. She loved flowers, was crazy about them.” That’s what the landlady, Eleanor Lipson, had to say about murder victim Karil Rogers Graham. Her sister, Mrs. H.L. Manley, called her “a well-settled girl.” According … Continue reading →

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Linda Leabow update

Posted on October 17, 2007 by lmharnisch

Prodded by a reader who directed me to an ancestry website, I can fill in a few blanks about Linda Leabow, who figured in the Marie Wilson story. According to California death records, Linda L. Cairns, listed with the maiden … Continue reading →

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Marie Wilson update

Posted on October 17, 2007 by lmharnisch

I went into the archives last night and pulled the photos of Marie Wilson and her family. Photograph by Don Cormer / Los Angeles TimesMarie Wilson and her son, Greg. Los Angeles Times photoMarie Wilson with Greg and Christine, Oct. … Continue reading →

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Mideast crisis

Posted on October 16, 2007 by lmharnisch

Oct. 17, 1957

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October 16, 1957: Matt Weinstock

Posted on October 16, 2007 by lmharnisch

October 16, 1957 On a recent clear evening about an hour after sunset, Chet Kennedy of Sun Valley looked up and apparently saw not only Saturn but some of its rings. The planet was a bead “blazing with bright glory … Continue reading →

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October 16, 1957: Paul V. Coates–Confidential File

Posted on October 16, 2007 by lmharnisch

October 16, 1957 At 3:24 a.m., the ambulance arrived. The victim was rushed to Hollywood Receiving Hospital for emergency treatment. His condition was critical. He was then taken to General Hospital. Nine hours later, he was pronounced dead. That was … Continue reading →

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Mystery photo

Posted on October 16, 2007 by lmharnisch

I hope this one is interesting. Who is this woman and why am I running her picture? The other photos have been recognized so quickly, I’m sure someone will figure her out right away. Karil Rogers Graham 1915-1955 Email me … Continue reading →

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Change of Heart

Posted on October 16, 2007 by lmharnisch

Oct. 16-22, 1957 Los Angeles Somewhere, perhaps in Los Angeles, is a woman who celebrated her 50th birthday on June 25, 1957, and may have no idea of the legal battle that was fought over her when she was 3 … Continue reading →

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Mideast crisis

Posted on October 15, 2007 by lmharnisch

Oct. 16, 1957

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Son shoots father

Posted on October 15, 2007 by lmharnisch

  Oct. 15-16, 1957 Los Angeles We can add the story of Elvin Harry DeWitt Jr. to the list of youngsters who intervened in their parents’ quarrels, answering violence with violence. Bethel Lee DeWitt, 52, and Elvin Harry DeWitt Sr., … Continue reading →

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Judith Mae Andersen update

Posted on October 15, 2007 by lmharnisch

Here’s another picture of the steel drum used to dispose of the body of Judith Mae Andersen, which appeared in the September 1957 issue of Police Digest. A sincere thanks to Gabriel A. Fuentes.  

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Ike turns 67

Posted on October 15, 2007 by lmharnisch

Oct. 15, 1957  

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October 14, 1957: Paul V. Coates–Confidential File

Posted on October 14, 2007 by lmharnisch

October 14, 1957 SUBJECT’S NAME–Rosalee Cartwright SUBJECT’S DESCRIPTION—Age, 14. Height, 5 feet, 4 inches. Weight, 118 pounds. Blond hair. Subject was last seen five weeks ago. Any person with information concerning whereabouts of subject is requested to contact subject’s parents, … Continue reading →

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October 14, 1957: Matt Weinstock

Posted on October 14, 2007 by lmharnisch

October 14, 1957 A few weeks ago, Jules Goldstone, producer of the TV show “The Court of Last Resort,” was driving along Sunset Boulevard near Hilgard when a car doing about 60 mph came around a curve from the opposite … Continue reading →

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End of watch

Posted on October 14, 2007 by lmharnisch

  Oct. 14, 1957 Los Angeles Theodore Roosevelt Beckham, a 23-year-old suspected sex offender, killed LAPD juvenile Officer Robert R. Christensen, 38, with his own gun during an attempted arrest, the third slaying in a bloody, tragic week for Southern … Continue reading →

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Plane crash

Posted on October 13, 2007 by lmharnisch

Oct. 14, 1957

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