Category Archives: Caryl Chessman

Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, April 7, 1960

Posted on April 7, 2010 by lmharnisch

S. Smith Griswold's Finest Hour at Hand     The man's name:  S. (for Sam) Smith Griswold.     He's 51 years old, married, father of two, and — by his own admission — a descendant of Aaron Burr.     This last … Continue reading →

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Matt Weinstock, April 6, 1960

Posted on April 6, 2010 by lmharnisch

The Silly Season     Obviously the sun spots which jammed radio and TV reception a few days ago didn't do people any good, either.  The kids are all mixed up, or at least pretending to be.     Bob Owen thinks … Continue reading →

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Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, April 5, 1960

Posted on April 5, 2010 by lmharnisch

Facts We Won't Find in the Census Report       There's nothing profound about the lady's story.  Nothing glamorous.  Nothing shocking.       For 17 years she worked diligently at being a housewife, raising four kids.  It's a job with … Continue reading →

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Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, April 2, 1960

Posted on April 2, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Mash Notes and Comment       "Paul Coates,       "Regarding the recent television show you had about the dog who was left behind in Kentucky and found his way to California and found his masters, probably the dog … Continue reading →

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Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, April 1, 1960

Posted on April 1, 2010 by lmharnisch

Handicapped Group Needs a Few Tools       The night was May 29, 1958.  It was a minute or two after 10 o'clock and I was on the studio lot at KTTV, waiting to go on the air with my … Continue reading →

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Matt Weinstock – March 31, 1960

Posted on March 31, 2010 by lmharnisch

Seat of Judgment      A man I know was notified a few days ago that his auto insurance had been canceled.  Indignant, he demanded to know why.  He was told that the insurance company had checked his driving record and … Continue reading →

Posted in Caryl Chessman, Columnists, Matt Weinstock | 1 Comment

Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, March 31, 1960

Posted on March 31, 2010 by lmharnisch

Major Family Tragedy of Our Atomic Times       There's sadness in the face of Jackson McVey.  Lined into his forehead and around his mouth, it never completely disappears, even when he smiles.       It's a sadness not without … Continue reading →

Posted in Caryl Chessman, Columnists, health, Paul Coates | 1 Comment

Support for Capital Punishment Drops to 51%, Poll Finds

Posted on March 23, 2010 by lmharnisch

March 23, 1960: The Caryl Chessman case has underscored the worldwide debate over capital punishment, the Gallup Poll says. Americans support state executions 51% to 36%, with 13% undecided, the poll found, a decline from 68% support in 1953. 

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Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, March 21 1960

Posted on March 21, 2010 by lmharnisch

Journalism Lesson From a Dixie Editor     My mother didn’t exactly cancel her subscription to The Mirror News. What she did, she called me up — collect — from her flat in the Bronx just before Christmas last year with … Continue reading →

Posted in Caryl Chessman, Columnists, Countdown to Watts, Front Pages, Paul Coates, Science, Transportation | Comments Off on Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, March 21 1960

Matt Weinstock, March 16, 1960

Posted on March 16, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Mileage Test     I've had misgivings about freeways for a long time. But not the way you might think.  I've merely been suspicious of the comparative mileage.     This is to report that I have confirmed my suspicion.  I … Continue reading →

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Get Perking: Coffee Hits 15 Cents a Cup

Posted on March 15, 2010 by lmharnisch

Catch a snooze on the Freeway Flyer!  March 15, 1960: Coffee goes to 15 cents a cup, which would be $1.07 today, adjusted for inflation. Not quite the price of a venti caramel brulee at Starbucks. On the jump: “I … Continue reading →

Posted in Caryl Chessman, Food and Drink, Transportation | Comments Off on Get Perking: Coffee Hits 15 Cents a Cup

Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, March 10, 1960

Posted on March 10, 2010 by lmharnisch

The book Coates is talking about is, of course, "Black Like Me." DARING THE 'HATE STARE' A White Man Turns Negro (This is the first of two exclusive columns on the remarkable story of a white author who turned "Negro" … Continue reading →

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Lawmakers Defeat Attempt to Ban Death Penalty

Posted on March 10, 2010 by lmharnisch

“I’ve Got to Live With Myself!”   March 10, 1960: The Senate Judiciary Committee kills Gov. Pat Brown’s effort to repeal the death penalty. Although Caryl Chessman is the pressing issue in the question of capital punishment, his name is … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Caryl Chessman, Comics, Film, Hollywood, JFK, LAPD, Richard Nixon, Sports | Comments Off on Lawmakers Defeat Attempt to Ban Death Penalty

Matt Weinstock, March 8, 1960

Posted on March 8, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Nervous Cat's Tale     As the animal regulation department's files prove, life in our vast jungle compound is fraught with peril.  It is not uncommon for people to be frightened, by roving pythons or straying wildebeests and to be … Continue reading →

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Screen Actors Guild Goes on Strike

Posted on March 7, 2010 by lmharnisch

   March 7, 1960: The Screen Actors Guild goes on strike over residuals on movies made after 1948 that are broadcast on TV.  “The Magnificent Seven” and “Ocean’s Eleven” are unaffected.

Posted in broadcasting, Caryl Chessman, Comics, Dodgers, Film, Hollywood, Homicide, Immigration, Sports, Television | Comments Off on Screen Actors Guild Goes on Strike

Matt Weinstock, March 4, 1960

Posted on March 4, 2010 by lmharnisch

To Mars in a Tub       The reason the Russians are beating us into space is no mystery to Sam Lobell of S Westmoreland Ave.  In a word — bathtubs.  Others may cite graphs and statistics showing Russian emphasis … Continue reading →

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

Posted on March 4, 2010 by lmharnisch

Yes, the Mirror ran photos of the entire jury in the Finch case.  Mash Notes and Comment       (Press Release) " 'Some people have said I'm stingy,' says J. Paul Getty, who at 67 is probably the richest private … Continue reading →

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Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, March 3, 1960

Posted on March 3, 2010 by lmharnisch

Let Us Consider Case of Robert Martinez        Robert Martinez, I met by degrees.     There was the first letter from him six weeks ago.  In spelling that was hampered by the fact that he never got beyond the eighth … Continue reading →

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Chessman to Die May 2

Posted on March 3, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Charlie Neal, right, is on the receiving end as four aspirants try out for the Dodger shortstop starting position. They are, from left, Don Zimmer, Bob Aspromonte, Bobby Lillis and Maury Wills. March 3, 1960: James Kendrick, top, reenacts … Continue reading →

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Officer’s Shot Saves Partner’s Life

Posted on February 26, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Feb. 26, 1960: Gov. Pat Brown will answer questions about granting a reprieve to Caryl Chessman … and on skid row, Officer V.P. Farmer shoots an ex-convict who is holding a gun to the head of Officer Ernest Searles … Continue reading →

Posted in broadcasting, Caryl Chessman, Downtown, LAPD, Television | Comments Off on Officer’s Shot Saves Partner’s Life