Category Archives: Homicide

The Case of ‘Tiger Man’ Figueroa

Posted on July 21, 2010 by lmharnisch

   Above, George E. “Tiger Man” Figueroa, as portrayed in a courtroom sketch by The Times. At right, Figueroa’s recent bride, Sarah, who was badly beaten and shot in the head.   July 21, 1910: The Times publishes the sensational … Continue reading →

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Medical Miracle Saves Killer

Posted on July 18, 2010 by lmharnisch

July 18, 1910: George C. Luitweiler wanted to sell his home at 1134 State St. so he could get money to be treated for tuberculosis. When his wife disagreed, he shot her to death and wounded her sister, then went … Continue reading →

Posted in Homicide, Suicide | 4 Comments

Ohio Mob Lynches Private Detective

Posted on July 9, 2010 by lmharnisch

July 9, 1910: Charles Etherington, one of several detectives sent to Newark by the Ohio Anti-Saloon League, is lynched in the public square by a mob of men and women after the former police chief, who owned the Last Chance … Continue reading →

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Paul V. Coates, Confidential File, July 5, 1960

Posted on July 5, 2010 by lmharnisch

  July 5, 1960: I have to hand it to Paul Coates. For this column, he tries to beat an 80-year-old con woman at her own game. Here’s his Jan. 28, 1960, piece about her. Notice the Page 1 story … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, #gays and lesbians, Columnists, Front Pages, Homicide | 1 Comment

Major Crimes Decline, LAPD Says

Posted on June 12, 2010 by lmharnisch

  “I’m No Good … No Good … No Good!” June 12, 1960: The LAPD, which has kept detailed statistics for decades, finds that major crimes declined 5.7% in 1959 after a three-year increase. Of the 3,124 people who applied … Continue reading →

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Cheryl Crane Escapes

Posted on June 5, 2010 by lmharnisch

  June 5, 1960: Cheryl Crane and two other inmates escape from El Retiro School for Girls, where she had been committed for killing Johnny Stompanato. "This was a big change from the meek and mild little girl who came … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Film, Hollywood, Homicide | 2 Comments

Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, June 2, 1960

Posted on June 2, 2010 by lmharnisch

  June 2, 1960: Paul Coates catches up with former Floradora Girl Evelyn Nesbit, whose millionaire husband, Harry K. Thaw, killed architect Stanford White in a jealous rage during a rooftop performance at Madison Square Garden in June 1906.

Posted in Columnists, Film, Hollywood, Homicide, Paul Coates, Stage | 1 Comment

Charles Champlin on ‘Haywire’

Posted on May 14, 2010 by lmharnisch

May 14, 1980: Charles Champlin on the making of “Haywire,” the TV movie based on the book by Brooke Hayward. The project, which was scaled back from a mini-series to a three-hour show, evoked painful memories for the surviving family … Continue reading →

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A Baffling Murder in Denver

Posted on May 11, 2010 by lmharnisch

Clayton Street via Google maps’ street view. May 11, 1910: Catherine (or Katherine) Wilson is found stuffed into a packing crate at 1054 Clayton St. and suspicion focuses on a Japanese man supposedly hired to help her move in. The … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Homicide | 1 Comment

Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood, May 7, 1940

Posted on May 7, 2010 by lmharnisch

  May 7, 1940: “Walter Pidgeon and John Carroll are packing tackle for a fishing trek to Texas Gulf resorts,” Jimmie Fidler says. 

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Beverly Hills Confidential

Posted on April 25, 2010 by lmharnisch

  April 25, 1960: Beverly Hills Police Chief Clinton H. Anderson describes the Johnny Stompanato killing in “Beverly Hills Is My Beat.” The book, which also covers the Bugsy Siegel murder,  is readily available via Bookfinder. On the jump, hundreds … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Dodgers, Homicide, Nightclubs, Sports | 1 Comment

The Mysterious Death of Morgan Shiveley

Posted on April 21, 2010 by lmharnisch

  April 21, 1910: The Times publishes an update in the curious death of Morgan Shiveley (or Shively),  in which an examination of bloody fingerprints merely deepens the mystery.Charges against the Stones were eventually dismissed and the case was abandoned.

Posted in #courts, Homicide | 3 Comments

Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, April 18, 1960

Posted on April 18, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Southern Lawyer Still Fights for Son     Charles Lee Guy Jr. is a man who takes disappointment with a minimum of emotion.       I learned that 2 1/2 years ago, when I met him for the first time. … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Columnists, Homicide, Paul Coates | 1 Comment

Harvey Glatman Update

Posted on April 2, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Oct. 31, 1958: Harvey Glatman admits killing Judith Ann Dull, Shirley Ann Bridgeford and Ruth Mercado. I was recently contacted by Det. Steve Ainsworth of the Boulder County, Colo., Sheriff’s Office regarding a 1954 Jane Doe who may be … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Homicide, LAPD | 1 Comment

Fatal Jealousy Over Sister’s Wardrobe

Posted on March 23, 2010 by lmharnisch

March 23, 1910: Catherine Manx, 16, is charged with poisoning her older sister Elizabeth, 19, out of jealousy over her wardrobe, The Times says. Catherine says she bought the strychnine on behalf of a stranger. The chloroform was for cleaning, … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Fashion, Homicide | 2 Comments

A Baffling Case – Solved

Posted on March 21, 2010 by lmharnisch

March 21, 1910: Rancher David W. Dwire, a powerfully built Los Feliz rancher, is found shot to death, completely clothed except for his right foot. His missing hat, shoe and stocking are found 100 yards away. Is it murder or … Continue reading →

Posted in Homicide, Suicide | 1 Comment

Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, March 17, 1960

Posted on March 17, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Further Reaction to White 'Negro'     A $1 bill and  a $5 bill found their respective ways through the U.S. mails this week, onto my desk.     Both came to me as a result of the articles I printed … Continue reading →

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Segregated Businesses May Be Legal, Eisenhower Says

Posted on March 17, 2010 by lmharnisch

  March 17, 1960: On the jump, more about Cheryl Crane’s transfer to El Retiro School for Girls in the San Fernando Valley … President Eisenhower says it may be legal for private businesses to bar African Americans or any … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, art and artists, Comics, Countdown to Watts, Education, Film, Food and Drink, Hollywood, Homicide, Mickey Cohen, Religion | Comments Off on Segregated Businesses May Be Legal, Eisenhower Says

Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, March 16, 1960

Posted on March 16, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Story of White 'Negro' Fascinated the World     If I sound like a numb, it's because I am.     I devoted a pair of articles last week to John Howard Griffin, a man with an engrossing story to tell. … Continue reading →

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Dietrich Backs Von Sternberg in ‘Blue Angel’ Lawsuit

Posted on March 16, 2010 by lmharnisch

   March 16, 1960: Marlene Dietrich gives a deposition in Josef von Sternberg’s suit against 20th Century Fox over its remake of “The Blue Angel.” On the jump, a murder suspect kills a hospital attendant after being declared sane … … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Countdown to Watts, Dodgers, Film, Hollywood, Homicide, Mickey Cohen, Sports | Comments Off on Dietrich Backs Von Sternberg in ‘Blue Angel’ Lawsuit