Category Archives: #courts

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

Posted on February 5, 2010 by lmharnisch

A Jailhouse Pen Pal Is Heard From Again     Got a real angry Mash Note today from an old friend — Jet Simrell.     The return address was 306 N Broadway.  The County Jail.     Jet, you will remember, is … Continue reading →

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Finch Admits Trying to Hire ‘Gigolo’ for Wife

Posted on February 5, 2010 by lmharnisch

 Photograph by John Malmin / Los Angeles Times Carole Tregoff "strikes a reflective pose" during a recess in the Finch trial.  Our favorite Pasadena gun store is having a sale. There’s a large selection of rifles for $1.99 each. They’re … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Front Pages, Homicide, Photography, Politics, Richard Nixon | 3 Comments

Mother of Six Denies Using ‘Anti-Love Potion’ on Husband

Posted on February 5, 2010 by lmharnisch

  “It Happens in the Best-Regulated Families,” by Clare Briggs.   Feb. 5, 1920: Mary A. Briggs denies dosing her husband’s coffee with “anti-love potions.” The “considerable discord in their married life was the fact that she bore him six … Continue reading →

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

Posted on February 4, 2010 by lmharnisch

  The Mark of the Beast Is With Us Once More     I don't rattle too easily.  But the other day I managed, in the vernacular of Elvis Presley, to get all shook up.     Coming out of the house, … Continue reading →

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Wife’s Shooting Was an Accident, Finch Says

Posted on February 4, 2010 by lmharnisch

 Photograph by John Malmin / Los Angeles Times July 30, 1959: People line up to get into a hearing in the Finch case.  Photograph by John Malmin / Los Angeles Times July 30, 1959:   West Covina Police Capt. William Ryan, … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Front Pages, Homicide, Photography | 1 Comment

Harry Raymond Quits LAPD

Posted on February 4, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Feb. 4, 1920: Ted Shawn, Martha Graham and dancers from Denishawn. But separate performances for men and women? Crime has increased dramatically, but no one knows why, the district attorney’s office says.  Feb. 4, 1920: Harry Raymond resigns as … Continue reading →

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

Posted on February 3, 2010 by lmharnisch

Yanqui Go Home – After Touring Cuba     (NEWS ITEM)- Cuba's push to receive tourist travel to the island has blossomed into a full day for free.  The Cuban Tourist Commission is now offering hotel accommodations, a drink, dinner, floor … Continue reading →

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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 →

Posted in #courts, Countdown to Watts, Homicide, JFK, LAPD, Politics, Richard Nixon | Comments Off on Nixon Leads Stevenson, Kennedy in Poll

‘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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