Category Archives: #courts

Teen Hoped to Bear Errol Flynn’s Child

Posted on October 28, 2009 by lmharnisch

 Los Angeles Times file photo Errol Flynn and Beverly Aadland in a photo published Oct. 15, 1959. Oct. 28, 1959: Jack Smith interviews Errol Flynn’s teenage girlfriend Beverly Aadland (whom Smith describes as the actor’s “last playmate”)  and her attorney … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Film, Hollywood, Jack Smith, Obituaries | 1 Comment

Judge Foils Attempt to Get Women on Jury

Posted on October 28, 2009 by lmharnisch

Arctic turbans are the latest rage — $82.86 USD 2008. Oct. 28, 1909: Prosecutor Guy Eddie is determined to get women on juries despite Police Chief Dishman’s order that they not be summoned. His latest tactic is an attempt to … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Fashion | Comments Off on Judge Foils Attempt to Get Women on Jury

Grand Jury to Investigate USC Fraternity Hazing Death

Posted on October 27, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Oct. 27, 1959: General Motors lays off 2,103 autoworkers in Los Angeles because of the continuing steel strike … And the grand jury will investigate the death of Kappa Sigma pledge Richard Swanson.

Posted in #courts, Front Pages | Comments Off on Grand Jury to Investigate USC Fraternity Hazing Death

Boy, 6, Gets a Toy Sword – Mayhem Ensues

Posted on October 27, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Oct. 27, 1909: Master Trimble goes hunting Indians on South Main, armed with his new sword.

Posted in #courts, LAPD | Comments Off on Boy, 6, Gets a Toy Sword – Mayhem Ensues

A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Roller Derby

Posted on October 26, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Oct. 26, 1953: It’s ladies night at the roller derby! And a group of teenagers attacks a former boxer after the girl sitting next to him at a theater claims he molested her.

Posted in #courts, Stage | Comments Off on A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Roller Derby

The ‘Unwritten Law’ on Homicide

Posted on October 26, 2009 by lmharnisch

Halloween with R.F. Outcault’s Buster Brown. Oct. 26, 1919: The “unwritten law,” that a husband was justified in killing any man who romanced his wife, appears frequently in The Times and was cited as a defense for decades – often … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Comics, Homicide, Mickey Cohen | Comments Off on The ‘Unwritten Law’ on Homicide

Doctor Dumped Severed Body Into Creek, Chauffeur Says

Posted on October 26, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Labor activists in Indianapolis set off four precisely timed bombs targeting a contractor using non-union workers. One bomb destroyed a barn at his home, two bombs wrecked buildings under construction and the fourth damaged a building at his plant. … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, health, Homicide | Comments Off on Doctor Dumped Severed Body Into Creek, Chauffeur Says

Editor Threatens Rival Newsman With a Gun

Posted on October 23, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Oct. 23, 1909: The editor of the Antelope Valley Gazette is cleared on charges of pulling a gun on the editor of the Antelope Valley Ledger. It’s a nasty dispute involving a woman with a horsewhip who has bad … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Countdown to Watts, Education | Comments Off on Editor Threatens Rival Newsman With a Gun

Delay for Caryl Chessman

Posted on October 22, 2009 by lmharnisch

Oct. 22, 1959: President Eisenhower transfers German rocket scientists led by Wernher von Braun from Army jurisdiction to NASA. Luau anyone? The Dodgers submitted a map for their Chavez Ravine ballpark and some of the features were downright headline grabbers. … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Caryl Chessman, City Hall, Dodgers, Downtown, Politics | 2 Comments

As Undercover Agent, Housewife Spied on Communists

Posted on October 21, 2009 by lmharnisch

Oct. 21, 1959: Moiselle Clinger describes spying on Communists for the FBI. Truck driver Gordon Powell says he robbed a bank after losing work because of the steel strike. A new appeal seeks to block the execution of Caryl Chessman. … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Caryl Chessman, Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, Politics, Sports | 1 Comment

Who Can Be an American Citizen?

Posted on October 21, 2009 by lmharnisch

Oct. 21, 1909: Johanna Engleman of Santa Monica still hopes to be a juror, but no attorney wants her on a case because the decision might be reversed. After all, she may not be qualified to serve as a juror! … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, LAPD | 1 Comment

Quints Born in Texas

Posted on October 20, 2009 by lmharnisch

Oct. 20, 1959: Former Secretary of State and Defense Gen. George C. Marshall is buried at Arlington. Former President Truman says: "I sincerely hope that when it comes my time to cross the great river, Gen. Marshall will place me … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Caryl Chessman, Front Pages | Comments Off on Quints Born in Texas

Caryl Chessman Wins Delay

Posted on October 20, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Oct. 21, 1959: Caryl Chessman gets a stay of execution.

Posted in #courts, Film, Front Pages, Hollywood | Comments Off on Caryl Chessman Wins Delay

President Asks Court to Halt Steel Strike

Posted on October 20, 2009 by lmharnisch

Oct. 20, 1959: No clemency for Caryl Chessman, governor says … Calling it a sad day for America, President Eisenhower tells the Justice Department to seek a federal injunction to halt a strike by the United Steelworkers of America.    … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Caryl Chessman, City Hall, Dodgers, Downtown, Fashion | Comments Off on President Asks Court to Halt Steel Strike

Man Sues for Divorce, Claims Wife Had Affair With Stepson

Posted on October 20, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Above, the woman at the center of the divorce case, Helen Elwood Stokes, Oct. 25, 1919. Oct. 20, 1919: W.E.D. “Weddie” Stokes Jr. says he had an affair with his stepmother. She later brought a $1-million lawsuit against him … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Obituaries | Comments Off on Man Sues for Divorce, Claims Wife Had Affair With Stepson

Woman May Be Seated as Juror

Posted on October 20, 2009 by lmharnisch

Oct. 20, 1909: Johanna Engleman may become California’s first woman juror. I’ll try to find a more legible copy of this story. Johanna Engleman of Santa Monica almost became the state’s first woman juror, but was removed by a peremptory … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts | Comments Off on Woman May Be Seated as Juror

Judge Bars Gambling on Ships

Posted on October 19, 2009 by lmharnisch

June 5, 1939: A full-page ad for the S.S. Rex. Oct. 19, 1939: A judge grants a preliminary injunction barring gambling on ships beyond the three-mile limit.

Posted in #courts | Comments Off on Judge Bars Gambling on Ships

Doctor Charged With Illegally Prescribing Drugs

Posted on October 19, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Dr. G.W. Finch is arrested on charges of illegally prescribing morphine to drug addicts.

Posted in #courts, LAPD | Comments Off on Doctor Charged With Illegally Prescribing Drugs

Residents Flee Big Tujunga Fire, Oct. 16, 1959

Posted on October 16, 2009 by lmharnisch

Oct. 16, 1959: Mae West is censored … and Gov. Pat Brown hints that he may show mercy to Caryl Chessman. Audrey Hepburn in “The Nun’s Story.” Local freeways would need "major surgery" to handle the traffic from Dodger fans … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, City Hall, Dodgers, Downtown, Sports, Transportation | Comments Off on Residents Flee Big Tujunga Fire, Oct. 16, 1959

‘Eel Boy’ Escapes From Police

Posted on October 16, 2009 by lmharnisch

Oct. 16, 1919: Don "Eel Boy" Clauser escapes again! This time he was showing Glendale officers where he had freed some horses when he made a "running high dive into the brush alongside the road."

Posted in #courts, LAPD | Comments Off on ‘Eel Boy’ Escapes From Police