Category Archives: Caryl Chessman

December 9, 1959: Matt Weinstock

Posted on December 9, 2025 by lmharnisch

December 9, 1959: A reporter for Ici Paris is assigned an interview with Caryl Chessman, and Matt Weinstock has the story. Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, 1959, art and artists, broadcasting, Caryl Chessman, Columnists, Comics, Matt Weinstock, Television | Leave a comment

November 30, 1959: Paul Coates – Confidential File

Posted on November 30, 2025 by lmharnisch

November 30, 1959: An author claims that Charles Dickens and actress Ellen Ternan had an illegitimate child, and Paul Coates has the story. Continue reading →

Posted in 1959, Animals, books, Caryl Chessman, Columnists, Paul Coates | Comments Off on November 30, 1959: Paul Coates – Confidential File

October 15, 1959: Matt Weinstock

Posted on October 15, 2025 by lmharnisch

October 15, 1959: Matt Weinstock takes a look at Caryl Chessman’s case and his grounds for appeal. Chessman remains the only person executed in California who never killed anyone. Continue reading →

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October 2, 1959: Paul V. Coates &ndash

Posted on October 2, 2025 by lmharnisch

October 2, 1959: Paul Coates looks at the myths surrounding Caryl Chessman, scheduled to die in the gas chamber. Continue reading →

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September 17, 1959: Paul V. Coates — Confidential File

Posted on September 17, 2025 by lmharnisch

September 17, 1959: Paul Coates looks at the case of Caryl Chessman, scheduled to be executed in the gas chamber. A letter writer asks Dear Abby if it’s appropriate to ask restaurants for leftovers in a doggy bag. Continue reading →

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Yorty Seeks to Limit L.A. Mayors to Two Terms

Posted on May 3, 2011 by lmharnisch

        May 3, 1961: The Times editorial page backs Mayor Norris Poulson, who lost to  challenger Sam Yorty. Although Yorty advocated a two-term limit for mayors, he served three terms and was seeking a fourth when he … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, 1961, art and artists, Caryl Chessman, Comics, Crime and Courts, Film, Hollywood, Homicide | Comments Off on Yorty Seeks to Limit L.A. Mayors to Two Terms

Paul Coates, March 22, 1961

Posted on March 22, 2011 by lmharnisch

         March 22, 1961: Paul Coates publishes a personal testimonial from a woman advocating free school lunches for children. “It breaks my heart when I hear people say it's a waste of money to feed hungry kids … Continue reading →

Posted in 1961, Caryl Chessman, Columnists, Food and Drink, Front Pages, Paul Coates | Comments Off on Paul Coates, March 22, 1961

Matt Weinstock, Nov. 26, 1960

Posted on November 26, 2010 by lmharnisch

       Nov. 26, 1960: Caryl Chessman is dead – but far from forgotten, Matt Weinstock says. DEAR ABBY: My husband and I are beside ourselves. Our 21-year-old son has been going with a girl. We did not disapprove … Continue reading →

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Fleeing Cubans Force Airliner to U.S., Oct. 29, 1960

Posted on October 29, 2010 by lmharnisch

    Oct. 29, 1960: ONLY IN ARCADIA — Mrs. Mae McClain hides these days when the garbage man comes by. Her husband recently caught a big shark off Catalina and brought it home to show the children. It was … Continue reading →

Posted in Caryl Chessman, Columnists, Comics, Front Pages, Matt Weinstock, Paul Coates | Comments Off on Fleeing Cubans Force Airliner to U.S., Oct. 29, 1960

Paul Coates and Matt Weinstock, Aug. 13, 1960

Posted on August 13, 2010 by lmharnisch

Aug. 13, 1960: Paul Coates gets a letter from Parkey Sharkey, who is looking for money to publish his book.  Architect Henry Drefuss has designed a $1,000 newsstand to go with his new California Bank Building at 6th and Spring, … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, art and artists, Caryl Chessman, Columnists, Comics, Matt Weinstock, Paul Coates | Comments Off on Paul Coates and Matt Weinstock, Aug. 13, 1960

Paul V. Coates and Matt Weinstock, May 9, 1960

Posted on May 9, 2010 by lmharnisch

  May 9, 1960: Paul Coates plays with the announcement of special TV news for children, and imagines what it would be like as delivered by Sheriff John. (Beverly Aadland has been a naughty girl again) … And  Matt Weinstock … Continue reading →

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Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, May 4, 1960

Posted on May 4, 2010 by lmharnisch

Forest Lawn doesn’t want Caryl Chessman’s ashes! May 4, 1960: John Milton Addison is a spellbinder without peer. He’s a millionaire who claims he isn’t selling anything but himself, Paul Coates says.

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Chessman’s Execution a ‘Breath of Fresh Air,’ Times Says

Posted on May 3, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Los Angeles Times file photo May 2, 1960: A hearse carries the body of Caryl Chessman out of San Quentin.   May 3, 1960: Caryl Chessman is executed after a last-minute plea goes awry when a judge’s secretary calls … Continue reading →

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CHESSMAN DIES

Posted on May 2, 2010 by lmharnisch

  May 2, 1960: Don Dwiggins of the Mirror News writes: “At exactly 10:03:25, an unidentified guard tripped a lever that sent cyanide pellets dropping into an acid bucket beneath Chessman's seat. “Chessman seemed to tense noticeably, held his breath, … Continue reading →

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Chessman Execution Today!

Posted on May 2, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Los Angeles Times file photo From left, UC history professor Richard Drinnon; actors Marlon Brando, Steve Allen and Shirley MacLaine; and UC professor Eugene Burdick enter the governor's mansion in Sacramento to urge Gov. Pat Brown to spare the … Continue reading →

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Court Rejects Chessman’s Appeal for Clemency

Posted on April 30, 2010 by lmharnisch

   Trout season opens – and The Times’ Saturday sports cover features a cartoon by Alex Perez.  April 30, 1960: Caryl Chessman’s long fight to avoid the gas chamber is just about over. On the jump: Dick Clark tells a … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Caryl Chessman, Comics, Dodgers, Sports | Comments Off on Court Rejects Chessman’s Appeal for Clemency

Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, April 29, 1960

Posted on April 29, 2010 by lmharnisch

  We Are Told You're Nothing but a Procal     I'm not complaining.  I'm perfectly happy with my job.  I enjoy these daily tete-a-tetes with you.     But the unpleasant realization is slowly awakening within me that the first major … Continue reading →

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Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, April 25, 1960

Posted on April 25, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Heartsick Mother's Problem One Which Has No Solution       Steve's mother knows she did wrong.  But she wonders, under the circumstances, what would have been right.       "I don't know," she told me from behind her handkerchief, … Continue reading →

Posted in Caryl Chessman, Columnists, Film, Hollywood, LAPD, Music, Obituaries, Paul Coates | 3 Comments

Matt Weinstock, April 13, 1960

Posted on April 13, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Sweden and Chessman     David Stone, instructor at John Adams Junior High School, plans a trip to Europe this summer with another teacher.  Not long ago he wrote a friendly letter to a newspaper in Sweden giving the date … Continue reading →

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Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, April 8, 1960

Posted on April 8, 2010 by lmharnisch

Two Women Tell of Some Frantic Hours     For Gwendolyn Tarpy and Pauline Rose, the day of danger is over. It's two weeks buried in old headlines.       But to them its immensity remains undiminished.     It began on the … Continue reading →

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