Category Archives: Homicide

Chessman to Die May 2

Posted on March 3, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Charlie Neal, right, is on the receiving end as four aspirants try out for the Dodger shortstop starting position. They are, from left, Don Zimmer, Bob Aspromonte, Bobby Lillis and Maury Wills. March 3, 1960: James Kendrick, top, reenacts … Continue reading →

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Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, March 1-2, 1960

Posted on March 2, 2010 by lmharnisch

Newcomers to U.S. Learn of Clippolas     The Govaars family's introduction to the uniquely American art of the gimmick ad came last August in the form of a small handbill on their front doorstep.     The handbill extolled the quality … Continue reading →

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Body Found in River

Posted on February 28, 2010 by lmharnisch

   Feb. 28, 1910: The old newspapers didn’t hold back on gory details, like this story about the unfortunate fellow found in the San Joaquin River in a bag weighed down with rocks.

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Matt Weinstock, Feb. 27, 1960

Posted on February 27, 2010 by lmharnisch

Briton's a Stevereno     I've been reading the short stories by Peter Ustinov in the Atlantic and wondering how he does it.  Acting, speaking, traveling — and writing superlative fiction, I mean.  In the versatility sweepstakes, he's Britain's answer to … Continue reading →

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Closing Arguments in Finch Trial; Chessman’s Fate Up to Legislature

Posted on February 27, 2010 by lmharnisch

Photograph by John Malmin / Los Angeles Times July 22, 1959: Carole Tregoff waits to be questioned by investigators. Los Angeles Times file photo Feb. 19, 1960: Students on Market Street in San Francisco protest the upcoming execution of Caryl … Continue reading →

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Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, Feb. 26, 1960

Posted on February 26, 2010 by lmharnisch

  So Mexico's Justice Is Just, Eventually     Pfc. Robert Peterson, U.S. Army, dropped by my office yesterday on his way back to Ft. Ord.     He was a headline last June.  I'd worked on his story.  But yesterday, when … Continue reading →

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Gardener Kills Principal, Commits Suicide After Setting Fire to School

Posted on February 26, 2010 by lmharnisch

"He is depressed and melancholy. He has illusions of persecution and that people are always working against him." Huntington Hall, 1790 Fremont Ave. Feb. 26, 1920: A gruesome story of insanity and murder at Huntington Hall, a girls’ school in … Continue reading →

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Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, Feb. 24, 1960

Posted on February 24, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Strange Slaying Case at Last Confessed       There should come a time in a reporter's  life when there's nothing left to shock him — when he's witnessed enough of the stark drama of human behavior to build up … Continue reading →

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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