Category Archives: #courts

Former Minister Accused of Abuse

Posted on February 12, 2010 by lmharnisch

“Wonder What a Twenty-Two Months-Old Baby Thinks About?” by Clare Briggs.      Feb. 12, 1920: Walter H. Evans, a former Episcopal minister, is accused of extreme cruelty by his wife, who said she even wrote his sermons for him … Continue reading →

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A Humiliating Night in Jail

Posted on February 12, 2010 by lmharnisch

    Feb. 12, 1910: John L. Grant and his wife, Margie, are in jail on charges of obtaining money under false pretenses, accused of selling their five-year lease and the furniture in a rooming house at 1401 N. Winfield … Continue reading →

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Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, Feb. 11, 1960

Posted on February 11, 2010 by lmharnisch

  A Woman Pays, Pays and Pays for Nothing     The word is blackmail, and you don't know what it means until it happens to you.     Mrs. Anita Roddy-Eden Sutton said it happened to her on the third day … Continue reading →

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Finch Shows How He Cracked Wife’s Skull

Posted on February 11, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Photograph by John Malmin / Los Angeles Times Dr. R. Bernard Finch passes co-defendant Carole Tregoff while returning to his chair after a court recess. The State Board of Education clears a Van Nuys teacher who was charged with … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Education, Homicide | 3 Comments

Caring for Stolen Car

Posted on February 11, 2010 by lmharnisch

“When a Feller Needs a Friend,” by Clare Briggs. [Note: The issue of child labor is a rare departure for Briggs, who usually kept his material humorous—lrh]. Feb. 11, 1920:  Roy Mitchell denies stealing a car. Notice that The Times … Continue reading →

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Woman Refuses to Testify Against Husband in Prostitution Case

Posted on February 11, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Feb. 11, 1910: A.C. Berchtold, onetime head of the police "purity squad," is found hiding in the closet when detectives serve a search warrant on Myrtle Booth. "His costume was not suitable for a polite social call," The Times … Continue reading →

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Matt Weinstock, Feb. 10, 1960

Posted on February 10, 2010 by lmharnisch

The Recollectors     Reading the testimony in the Finch trial, I am again filled with awe and admiration for those who can remember exactly where they were standing and what they were thinking when they heard the fatal shot or … Continue reading →

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

Posted on February 10, 2010 by lmharnisch

A Pugilist's Destiny Is in His Hands     I won't kid you.  I'm embarrassed.     For years I've been writing, here, about the evils of boxing.  If you check the files, you'll see that I've called it a racket infested … Continue reading →

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Finch Trial Focuses on Victim’s Will

Posted on February 10, 2010 by lmharnisch

 Photograph by John Malmin / Los Angeles Times [Update: Feb. 10, 1960: Carole Tregoff wears a pink sweater her mother made for her because the courtroom was so cold]. Feb. 10, 1960: Q: Now let me ask you this, Dr. … Continue reading →

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‘A Certain Infection’ in ‘Borax King’ Divorce Trial

Posted on February 10, 2010 by lmharnisch

“Ain’t It a Grand and Glorious Feelin’?” by Clare Briggs. Feb. 10, 1920: More revelations in the divorce trial of “Borax King” Thomas Thorkildsen. Notice how daintily The Times treats this issue: "…the woman was the donor and the man … Continue reading →

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Teenage War Hero Arrested in Los Angeles

Posted on February 10, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Feb. 10, 1910: The Times reports the adventures of Ian (possibly Jan) Koutnik, described as a “hero of the Czech-Slovak troops.” Young Ian, loose in the city en route to be adopted in Chicago,  was arrested on suspicion of … Continue reading →

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Finch Describes Other Affairs

Posted on February 9, 2010 by lmharnisch

Photograph by John Malmin / Los Angeles Times July 21, 1959: Dr. R. Bernard Finch at the West Covina police station after being arrested. Negro History Week is Feb. 7-13. Feb. 9, 1960: In addition to exhaustive coverage of the … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Homicide | 1 Comment

A Bungalow Above Broadway

Posted on February 9, 2010 by lmharnisch

“Wonder What a Candidate for the Third Degree Thinks About?” by Clare Briggs. [Briggs is referring to the Masons, in case you’re wondering].      Feb. 9, 1920: Walter P. Story has built a bungalow on top of his building … Continue reading →

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

Posted on February 8, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Who Does He Think He Is — Grandpa?       Traditionally — or, at least, since the advent of the comic strip — the most maligned member of the American family unit is the mother-in-law.     It is ritual in … Continue reading →

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Skeletal Remains Partially Identified

Posted on February 8, 2010 by lmharnisch

  David Dougherty and Frances Young are arrested in Bloomington, Ill, on charges of defying the orders of a Nebraska court by living as man and wife, even though they are uncle and niece.    Feb. 8, 1910: A skeleton … Continue reading →

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Through the Lens – Finch Trial

Posted on February 7, 2010 by lmharnisch

 Photograph by John Malmin / Los Angeles Times March 5, 1960: Court Clerk Mel La Valley shows items from the so-called murder kit in the Finch trial. I wonder if John Malmin put a light in the briefcase to get … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Homicide, Photography | 2 Comments

The Complicated Geometry of the Eternal Triangle

Posted on February 7, 2010 by lmharnisch

  “That Guiltiest Feeling,” by Clare Briggs.   Feb. 7, 1920: Talk about complicated. Schoolteacher Frieda C. Boehncke was in love with Phillip Eicholz but discovered he was married. Eicholz's wife sued Boehncke for $2,500 that her husband evidently gave … Continue reading →

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Rancher Killed Outside Old Mission Winery

Posted on February 7, 2010 by lmharnisch

The 1910 auto show is coming Feb. 19!     Feb. 7, 1910: The story about the shooting of William Moss outside the Old Mission Winery  could have come out of the Old West, for it refers to a horse and … Continue reading →

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Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, Feb. 6, 1960

Posted on February 6, 2010 by lmharnisch

 [Wow! Now there’s an ugly layout. I guess Mr. Modular had the day off – lrh] Mash Notes and Comment     (PRESS RELEASE) "TV HELP FOR DENTISTS . . . Dentists soon may be using a television camera for inspecting … Continue reading →

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Mrs. Finch’s Dying Words: ‘I’m Sorry’

Posted on February 6, 2010 by lmharnisch

 Photograph by John Malmin / Los Angeles Times Feb. 3, 1960: Dr. R. Bernard Finch and defense lawyer Grant B. Cooper Feb. 6, 1960: The Times keeps the Finch case off the front page. Barbara Jean Finch supposedly said: "I'm … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Homicide | 1 Comment