Category Archives: #courts

Barbara Graham case revisited, November 28, 1958

Posted on November 28, 2008 by lmharnisch

Los Angeles Times file photo. Murder victim Mabel Monahan. “As you went in the front door, what was the first thing that attracted your attention?” “Mrs. Graham was striking Mrs. Monahan in the face with a gun. She was standing … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, @news, Film, Front Pages, Homicide, San Fernando Valley | 3 Comments

November 27, 1968: O.J. Simpson wins Heisman

Posted on November 27, 2008 by lmharnisch

O.J. Simpson won the Heisman Trophy as the best college football player of 1968 after a remarkable two-year USC career. Dwight Chapin’s story in The Times portrayed the lack of suspense–even Simpson said he was “pretty confident.” Who could blame … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, @news, broadcasting, Current Affairs, Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, Homicide, LAPD, Sports, Television | 1 Comment

LAPD honors dead officer’s heroism, November 26, 1958

Posted on November 26, 2008 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2008. Police Sgt. Gene T. Nash died after a shootout with robbery suspects in an apartment house on Budlong just south of Adams. In a televised ceremony, Police Chief William H. Parker presented … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, @news, Cemeteries, Front Pages, Homicide, LAPD, Television | Comments Off

November 23, 1938: Nuestro Pueblo — Lincoln Heights

Posted on November 23, 2008 by lmharnisch

Above, Sam’s Lunch Room in 1938 and below, Avenue 19 via Google maps street view.

Posted in #courts, Food and Drink, Homicide, LAPD, Nuestro Pueblo | Comments Off

Writer arrested for threatening wife with butcher knife, November 21 1958

Posted on November 21, 2008 by lmharnisch

"Suddenly it seemed the whole panorama of his life was a race and he was running last…. There was something in him that had to come out. He had to find a way to get … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, books, Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, LAPD | 1 Comment

November 18, 1958: Mickey Cohen pal back from the dead

Posted on November 18, 2008 by lmharnisch

Here’s an amusing little wrap-up of crime news: Mickey Cohen’s pal comes back from the dead and a minor actress figures in a major trial about drunk driving. It never ceases to amaze me how much publicity celebrities were willing … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, 1958, Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, Mickey Cohen | Comments Off

I Want to Live — The Barbara Graham murder case, November 16, 1958

Posted on November 16, 2008 by lmharnisch

Above: Barbara Graham, one of four women to be executed in California, along with Juanita “the Duchess” Spinelli, Louise Peete and Elizabeth Duncan. The trailer–dig those bongos! Gerry Mulligan! Five years after the execution of Barbara Graham in the Mabel … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, Homicide, San Fernando Valley | 10 Comments

Changeling — Finding Christine Collins

Posted on November 10, 2008 by lmharnisch

Christine Collins’ residences, as shown on Google Earth. Christine Collins’ addresses in Google maps Dick Morris, a regular Daily Mirror reader, is a skilled researcher and passed along some material on Christine I. Collins. It fills in a few details … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Changeling, Film, Hollywood, LAPD | 42 Comments

L.A. kidnappings, June 17, 1934

Posted on November 8, 2008 by lmharnisch

The Times publishes a stern warning to racketeers that kidnapping doesn’t pay, but about the only gangland figure it mentions is Les Bruneman. The story touches on the Gordon Northcott (notice that we call him Gordon Northrop) and William Edward … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, @news, Changeling, Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, Homicide, LAPD | Comments Off

Black Dahlia

Posted on November 7, 2008 by lmharnisch

Steve Hodel’s "Black Dahlia Avenger," inscribed to James Ellroy, as listed on EBay for $19.99, in 2006. Steve Hodel is bringing his "Black Dahlia Avenger" presentation to the South Pasadena Public Library at 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 7, 2008, … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, books, City Hall, Coming Attractions, Film, Hollywood, Homicide, LAPD | 3 Comments

Changeling — Part X

Posted on November 6, 2008 by lmharnisch

Los Angeles Times file photo Gordon Northcott ignores his attorneys and argues with the judge, Dec. 5, 1928. Oct. 17, 1928: The Police Commission decides not to punish Capt. J.J. Jones for putting Christine Collins in a mental ward. The … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Changeling, Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, Homicide, LAPD | 50 Comments

Changeling — Part VIII

Posted on November 4, 2008 by lmharnisch

Los Angeles Times file photo Gordon Northcott: "Youth Convicted as Boy-Butcher." Los Angeles Times file photo "I killed Alvin Gothea on the ranch…" Gordon Northcott is convicted and sentenced to death. There were appeals but he was hanged at San … Continue reading →

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Changeling –Part VII

Posted on November 3, 2008 by lmharnisch

Los Angeles Times file photo From left, prosecutor Earl (sometimes spelled Earle) Redwine, Loyal Kelley, A.H. de Tremaudan (sometimes spelled Tremandon), J. McKinley Cameron, David Sokol, Gordon … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, @news, Changeling, Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, Homicide, LAPD | 1 Comment

Changeling — Part VI

Posted on November 2, 2008 by lmharnisch

Los Angeles Times file photo In going through the photographs from the Gordon Northcott case, I’m struck by how different Northcott looks from one image to another. Sometimes he appears thoughtful, even bookish. In others, he looks quite demonic. In … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, @news, Changeling, Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, Homicide, LAPD | 4 Comments

Movie star beaten to death, November 1, 1968

Posted on November 1, 2008 by lmharnisch

Photograph by the Los Angeles Times Newsmen gather outside Ramon Novarro’s house, 3110 Laurel Canyon, after he was found beaten to death, 1968. View Larger Map The 3100 block of Laurel Canyon, where Ramon Novarro lived, via Google maps’ street … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, #gays and lesbians, Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, Homicide, LAPD | 5 Comments

Serial killer Harvey Glatman captured, October 31, 1958

Posted on October 31, 2008 by lmharnisch

Harvey Murray Glatman is arrested and freely admits killing three women. He was executed in the gas chamber Sept. 18, 1959. It took him eight minutes to die.

Posted in #courts, Front Pages, Homicide | Comments Off

Changeling stories — Part IV

Posted on October 29, 2008 by lmharnisch

Los Angeles Times file photoLouisa Northcott, the mother of Gordon Northcott, isn’t portrayed in “Changeling,” but played a key role in the actual case. Above, she’s booked in jail. Los Angeles Times file photoLouisa Northcott with one of her attorneys … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Changeling, Homicide | 10 Comments

October 28, 1938: Mayor investigates honorary LAPD badges

Posted on October 28, 2008 by lmharnisch

Above, Police Chief James Davis turns over a list of more than 7,800 people who have received honorary badges from the Los Angeles Police Department. Recipients include Shirley Temple, Clark Gable, Louis B. Mayer, Joe E. Brown, King Vidor, Bela … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, City Hall, Downtown, Front Pages, LAPD, Politics | 1 Comment

Changeling stories — Part I

Posted on October 26, 2008 by lmharnisch

Police Capt. Jones and LAPD officers search the lake in Lincoln Park for the body of Walter Collins, Los Angeles Times, April 6, 1928. The boy claiming to be Walter Collins poses with Christine Collins, Aug. 18, 1928 Several regular … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, @news, Changeling, Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, Homicide, LAPD, Parks and Recreation | 42 Comments

October 22, 1958: Mob suspected in bookie’s killing

Posted on October 22, 2008 by lmharnisch

Clifford Rue was a man who was ahead of his time and behind on the payments to his bookie. A former Marine who changed his name from Rubenstein for business purposes, Rue had been working at his father’s liquor store … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Front Pages, Homicide, LAPD, San Fernando Valley | 1 Comment