Category Archives: #courts

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

‘Onion Field’ Killing Revisited

Posted on January 22, 2010 by lmharnisch

March 13, 1963, Jimmy Lee Smith reenacts the killing of Officer  Ian Campbell. March 12, 1963:  "Ex-convict Jimmy Lee Smith stood in a Kern County onion field Monday and acted out his version of how an unarmed policeman was slain … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, books, Homicide, LAPD | 2 Comments

Forgery Charged in Finch Trial

Posted on January 22, 2010 by lmharnisch

      Jan. 22, 1960: The prosecution alleges that Dr. R. Bernard Finch forged his wife’s signature to a check for $3,000 [$21,576.68 USD 2008] three days after Finch allegedly beat and threatened to kill his wife and two … Continue reading →

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Officials Honor Louis Paulhan

Posted on January 22, 2010 by lmharnisch

   After a boat trip to Santa Catalina Island, Louis Paulhan says he hopes to fly there the next time.   Jan. 22, 1910: Child molester Edward Powelson thanks the judge for sentencing him to 180 days for vagrancy. "Judge, … Continue reading →

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Trial Takes Its Toll

Posted on January 21, 2010 by lmharnisch

    Jan. 21, 1960: The Mirror's Lee Belser, at right with Otto the clown in a 1958 photo, takes a savage look at how Carole Tregoff’s appearance has changed since she was arrested in the Finch murder case. She said: … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Homicide | 1 Comment

Finch Defense Attacks Murder for Hire Plot

Posted on January 21, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Sen. Everett Dirksen (R-Ill.) praises President Eisenhower on the anniversary of his first inauguration, saying that Eisenhower and Vice President Richard Nixon had brought to the country a "deeply inspired" administration "that had reversed the course of government intrusion … Continue reading →

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Wife Sues ‘Lounge Lizard’

Posted on January 21, 2010 by lmharnisch

  “Papa’s Return,” by Clare Briggs.    Jan. 21, 1920: Stanley Carr was “just an ordinary lounge lizard,” Dora Monte testifies in a hearing to have his marriage annulled. “He had absolutely no ambition except to have a good time. … Continue reading →

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Matt Weinstock, Jan. 20, 1960

Posted on January 20, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Nobody's Home     A lady I know received two warning calls in quick succession the other day from neighbors.  Their breathlessness message: "Don't answer the door — the tax assessor's on the way to your house!"  The second neighbor … Continue reading →

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Man Says Woman Paid Him to Kill Lover’s Wife

Posted on January 20, 2010 by lmharnisch

The killer was supposed to say: “Tell her this is from Bernie!” The witness said he was “drinking heavily that day.” Jan. 20, 1960: “A suave and smooth-talking convict testified yesterday that Carole Tregoff hired him to kill Mrs. Barbara … Continue reading →

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35,000 Gallons of Wine Dumped in Sewer

Posted on January 20, 2010 by lmharnisch

“Somebody Is Always Taking the Joy Out of Life,” by Clare Briggs. Jan. 20, 1920:  U.S. revenue officers pour 35,000 gallons of wine – the entire stock of the North Cucamonga Winery — into the sewer to enforce new Prohibition … Continue reading →

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