Category Archives: #courts

Prosecution Rests in Finch Trial

Posted on February 3, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Times Sports Editor Paul Zimmerman takes a look at the appeal of Mexican boxers in Los Angeles. Feb. 3, 1960: A Gallup poll examines patterns in voting among women, who are expected to outnumber male voters for the first … Continue reading →

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

Posted on February 2, 2010 by lmharnisch

Tall Man Considers Cellmate, Dr. Finch     The tall man was talking about an ex-cellmate of his. They were together in County Jail for a month and a half.     The ex-cellmate's name was Finch.  Dr. R. Bernard Finch.     … Continue reading →

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Finch Took Girlfriend on Trip With Wife, Witness Says

Posted on February 2, 2010 by lmharnisch

Feb. 2, 1960: Dr. R. Bernard Finch took girlfriend Carole Tregoff on a waterskiing trip with his wife. Now that’s chutzpah.

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

Posted on February 1, 2010 by lmharnisch

New-Found Evidence Favors Tokyo Rose     Two months ago, On the 18th anniversary of Pearl Harbor, I printed what I thought was the first interview by a newsman with a woman known to the world as Tokyo Rose.     Her … Continue reading →

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A Symposium of Drinking

Posted on January 31, 2010 by lmharnisch

  “Oh, Man!” by Clare Briggs.   Jan. 31, 1920: “Mr. Thorkildsen was a lavish host. When pressed to state how much was drunk at the Thorkildsen home, one witness put it at 24 quarts of Champagne and numerous glasses … Continue reading →

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The People and Their Troubles

Posted on January 30, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Jan. 30, 1920: I often wonder who came up with the headline “The People and Their Troubles.” Folks sure had them, though. Like Mrs. Beulah P. Porter, who was seeking a divorce and said her husband had bruised her … Continue reading →

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Defense Witnesses Deny Racy Pranks by Borax King

Posted on January 29, 2010 by lmharnisch

      Jan. 29, 1920: "Mrs. Thorkildsen had previously testified that at the Worthington home Mr. Thorkildsen became intoxicated, broke a corner of the piano, smashed a number of wine glasses, tore the dress of the hostess, broke a statue … Continue reading →

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Borax King Testifies

Posted on January 28, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Jan. 28, 1920: Borax king Thomas Thorkildsen changes color and acts as though he’s going to get off the witness stand and threaten his wife’s attorney during testimony in their divorce case.

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School for Shoplifters

Posted on January 28, 2010 by lmharnisch

  “When a Feller Needs a Friend,” by Clare Briggs.   Jan. 28, 1920: George Sutton is charged with teaching his wife and daughters how to shoplift. According to The Times, Sutton’s wife, Elsie, and daughters Dessie and Doretta would enter … Continue reading →

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Sham, Shame and Sorrow

Posted on January 28, 2010 by lmharnisch

      Jan. 28, 1910: In an emotionally charged story, The Times tells of Mrs. Wilson, a woman unable to have children who collected four unwanted infants and passed them off as her own. In the courtroom where Judge … Continue reading →

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Matt Weinstock, Jan. 27, 1960

Posted on January 27, 2010 by lmharnisch

Costly Wrong Number       Mrs. Margaret Guevara, 742 W 144th St., was going about her household chores the other day when her daughter Diana, 9, called, "Mommy,  a lady on the phone wants to talk to you."     The … Continue reading →

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Nixon Leads Stevenson, Kennedy in Poll

Posted on January 27, 2010 by lmharnisch

Jan. 27, 1960: A letter by the Finch family’s maid to her mother in Sweden recounts a conversation with victim Barbara Jean Finch:  “During the night, Dr. Finch tried to kill Mrs. Finch, who now absolutely wanted to have her … Continue reading →

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‘Borax King’ to Testify in Hot Divorce Trial

Posted on January 27, 2010 by lmharnisch

“I Know I Shall Go Mad Very Soon.” “Wonder What a German Dog Thinks About?” by Clare Briggs. Jan. 27, 1920: "Considerable time was taken up yesterday reading the deposition of Miss Henrietta Gant, one of the merry party last … Continue reading →

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Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, Jan. 26, 1960

Posted on January 26, 2010 by lmharnisch

Diana Barrymore was in love with Tennessee Williams and wanted to marry him, the Mirror's Earl Wilson says.  We Quiz Quiz Guy Who Blew $64,000       Al Einfrank isn't exciting news copy.  Not any more.     Three years ago, … Continue reading →

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Diana Barrymore Dies at 38

Posted on January 26, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Nice headline – does that make the nun a college girl? And I guess Kennedy isn’t a headline name yet. Jan. 26, 1960: The trial of Dr. R. Bernard Finch and Carole Tregoff in the killing of Barbara Jean … Continue reading →

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Matt Weinstock, Jan. 25, 1960

Posted on January 25, 2010 by lmharnisch

Endless Liquor Flow     Many years ago the mails were cluttered with a  nuisance chain letter called the Good Luck of London.  It was an anonymous, loosely written but harmless bit of nonsense vaguely promising riches to recipients who quickly … Continue reading →

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The ‘Onion Field’ Remembered [Update]

Posted on January 25, 2010 by lmharnisch

Photograph by Don Cormier / Los Angeles Times March 11, 1963: Jimmy Lee Smith returns to the crime scene to reenact the “Onion Field” killing with Sgt. G.H. Bates, left, as Officer Ian Campbell; Sgt. Danny Galindo, center, as Officer … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, 1963, books, Crime and Courts, Film, Hollywood, Homicide, LAPD, Photography | 7 Comments

The Naughty Borax King

Posted on January 24, 2010 by lmharnisch

  “The Days of Real Sport,” by Clare Briggs. Mr. Thorkildsen submits a photograph of his wife in a “scanty” bathing suit. Jan. 24, 1920: A deposition read in the divorce trial of borax king Thomas Thorkildsen catalogues the liquor … Continue reading →

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Finch Stole Two Cadillacs, Went to Las Vegas

Posted on January 23, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Betty Jean Behr shows a photo of victim Barbara Jean Finch. What to do with the radioactive waste piling up in Long Beach? Dump it in the ocean!   March 22, 1960: A judge rules that Long Beach has … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Environment, Homicide, Long Beach | 1 Comment

Through the Lens – the Finch Case

Posted on January 23, 2010 by lmharnisch

 Photograph by Edward Gamer / Los Angeles Times May 21, 1960: Regular correspondent Howard Decker asked if the Daily Mirror could publish some photos from the Finch case. This is defendant Carole Tregoff, who went through many outfits and changes … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Homicide, Photography | 1 Comment