Category Archives: Homicide

Youth Kills Family Friend in Struggle for Gun

Posted on February 23, 2010 by lmharnisch

    S. Levy, the operator of a theater at  414 E. 1st St., says he was fined over a sign he placed on the sidewalk after complaining about the amount of time Officer Gamash was spending with his cashier. … Continue reading →

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

Posted on February 18, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Juveniles Are Not All So Delinquent       It's the code of kid gangland that one bad turn deserves another.     If a member of one gang is caught out of his territory and worked over, the guys who … Continue reading →

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Defense Nears Close in Finch Case

Posted on February 17, 2010 by lmharnisch

Photograph by John Malmin / Los Angeles Times Feb. 16, 1960: Carole Tregoff on the witness stand.   Feb. 17, 1960: Former President Truman predicts that the eventual Democratic nominee will “beat the hell out of Dick Nixon” and African … Continue reading →

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

Posted on February 16, 2010 by lmharnisch

Ku Klux Klan Jerks Goofing as Per Usual     This, liberally interpreted, is a progress report.     It concerns the eerie persistence of Hooded Sign Painters Local No. 950, Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, Charleston, South Carolina.     A … Continue reading →

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Tregoff Sobs on Witness Stand

Posted on February 16, 2010 by lmharnisch

 Photograph by John Malmin / Los Angeles Times Attorney Donald Bringgold and Carole Tregoff during a recess in the Finch trial. “Thousands of Dog Teeth!” Unfortunately, the continuation of this story wasn’t microfilmed, so this is all we have. Feb. … Continue reading →

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Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, Feb. 15, 1960

Posted on February 15, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Jack Paar Did Right for Wrong Reason     Never one to make snap judgments, I have permitted myself an entire weekend in which to mull over the strange case of Jack Paar.     When, right in between a couple … Continue reading →

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Young Republicans Call Nixon ‘Next President’

Posted on February 14, 2010 by lmharnisch

      Feb. 14, 1960: NBC apologizes to Jack Paar and the Finch trial is taking a toll on prosecution and defense. Carole Tregoff defense lawyer Rexford Eagan says: "We've lived with this case from the very beginning. We … Continue reading →

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Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, Feb. 13, 1960

Posted on February 13, 2010 by lmharnisch

Mash Notes and Comment     "Dear Mr. Coates:     "I would like a little information concerning one of your television programs.      "Did you, or didn't you, interview Senator Kennedy some time ago and did he say that he wore … Continue reading →

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Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, Feb. 12, 1960

Posted on February 12, 2010 by lmharnisch

  If Jack Paar is remembered at all, it’s for walking off the “Tonight” show (yes, he returned). From watching him as a kid, I remember him as being urbane but volatile – a curious combination. Minnie, 83, and Young … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, broadcasting, Columnists, Front Pages, Homicide, Paul Coates, Television | 1 Comment

Confronted With Recording, Finch Says He Wouldn’t Lie

Posted on February 12, 2010 by lmharnisch

Photograph by John Malmin / Los Angeles Times July 22, 1959: Carole Tregoff enters a detectives' office for more questioning in the death of Barbara Jean Finch. Hey, it’s Lena Horne at the Cocoanut Grove. Wouldn’t it be great to … Continue reading →

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Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, Feb. 11, 1960

Posted on February 11, 2010 by lmharnisch

  A Woman Pays, Pays and Pays for Nothing     The word is blackmail, and you don't know what it means until it happens to you.     Mrs. Anita Roddy-Eden Sutton said it happened to her on the third day … Continue reading →

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Finch Shows How He Cracked Wife’s Skull

Posted on February 11, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Photograph by John Malmin / Los Angeles Times Dr. R. Bernard Finch passes co-defendant Carole Tregoff while returning to his chair after a court recess. The State Board of Education clears a Van Nuys teacher who was charged with … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Education, Homicide | 3 Comments

Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, Feb. 10, 1960

Posted on February 10, 2010 by lmharnisch

A Pugilist's Destiny Is in His Hands     I won't kid you.  I'm embarrassed.     For years I've been writing, here, about the evils of boxing.  If you check the files, you'll see that I've called it a racket infested … Continue reading →

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Finch Trial Focuses on Victim’s Will

Posted on February 10, 2010 by lmharnisch

 Photograph by John Malmin / Los Angeles Times [Update: Feb. 10, 1960: Carole Tregoff wears a pink sweater her mother made for her because the courtroom was so cold]. Feb. 10, 1960: Q: Now let me ask you this, Dr. … Continue reading →

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Finch Describes Other Affairs

Posted on February 9, 2010 by lmharnisch

Photograph by John Malmin / Los Angeles Times July 21, 1959: Dr. R. Bernard Finch at the West Covina police station after being arrested. Negro History Week is Feb. 7-13. Feb. 9, 1960: In addition to exhaustive coverage of the … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Homicide | 1 Comment

Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, Feb. 8, 1960

Posted on February 8, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Who Does He Think He Is — Grandpa?       Traditionally — or, at least, since the advent of the comic strip — the most maligned member of the American family unit is the mother-in-law.     It is ritual in … Continue reading →

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Skeletal Remains Partially Identified

Posted on February 8, 2010 by lmharnisch

  David Dougherty and Frances Young are arrested in Bloomington, Ill, on charges of defying the orders of a Nebraska court by living as man and wife, even though they are uncle and niece.    Feb. 8, 1910: A skeleton … Continue reading →

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Through the Lens – Finch Trial

Posted on February 7, 2010 by lmharnisch

 Photograph by John Malmin / Los Angeles Times March 5, 1960: Court Clerk Mel La Valley shows items from the so-called murder kit in the Finch trial. I wonder if John Malmin put a light in the briefcase to get … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Homicide, Photography | 2 Comments

Rancher Killed Outside Old Mission Winery

Posted on February 7, 2010 by lmharnisch

The 1910 auto show is coming Feb. 19!     Feb. 7, 1910: The story about the shooting of William Moss outside the Old Mission Winery  could have come out of the Old West, for it refers to a horse and … Continue reading →

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Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, Feb. 6, 1960

Posted on February 6, 2010 by lmharnisch

 [Wow! Now there’s an ugly layout. I guess Mr. Modular had the day off – lrh] Mash Notes and Comment     (PRESS RELEASE) "TV HELP FOR DENTISTS . . . Dentists soon may be using a television camera for inspecting … Continue reading →

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