Category Archives: Homicide

Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, Jan. 29, 1960

Posted on January 29, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Here's a Fishy Story From Death Row        This is the story of a fish, but it's not a fish story.     It lives on San Quentin's Death Row.  It's a salt-water fish — possibly a smelt — about … Continue reading →

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Matt Weinstock, Jan. 28, 1960

Posted on January 28, 2010 by lmharnisch

Leap Year Pitch     For a while it appeared we might tiptoe into 1960 without arousing the usual corny, anachronistic nonsense about leap year and the girls chasing the boys, object matrimony.  No such luck.  The subject was merely dormant.  … Continue reading →

Posted in Columnists, Downtown, Food and Drink, Homicide, Matt Weinstock, Nightclubs | Comments Off on Matt Weinstock, Jan. 28, 1960

Joseph Wambaugh on the ‘Onion Field’ [Updated]

Posted on January 27, 2010 by lmharnisch

Photograph by Don Cormier / Los Angeles Times March 11, 1963: Jimmy Lee Smith returns to the crime scene to reenact the “Onion Field” killing. From left, Sgt. Danny Galindo as Officer Karl Hettinger;  Sgt. G.H. Bates as Officer Ian … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Film, Hollywood, Homicide, LAPD | 2 Comments

Nixon Leads Stevenson, Kennedy in Poll

Posted on January 27, 2010 by lmharnisch

Jan. 27, 1960: A letter by the Finch family’s maid to her mother in Sweden recounts a conversation with victim Barbara Jean Finch:  “During the night, Dr. Finch tried to kill Mrs. Finch, who now absolutely wanted to have her … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Countdown to Watts, Homicide, JFK, LAPD, Politics, Richard Nixon | Comments Off on Nixon Leads Stevenson, Kennedy in Poll

Diana Barrymore Dies at 38

Posted on January 26, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Nice headline – does that make the nun a college girl? And I guess Kennedy isn’t a headline name yet. Jan. 26, 1960: The trial of Dr. R. Bernard Finch and Carole Tregoff in the killing of Barbara Jean … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, books, Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, Homicide, JFK, Obituaries, Politics, Stage | Comments Off on Diana Barrymore Dies at 38

Matt Weinstock, Jan. 25, 1960

Posted on January 25, 2010 by lmharnisch

Endless Liquor Flow     Many years ago the mails were cluttered with a  nuisance chain letter called the Good Luck of London.  It was an anonymous, loosely written but harmless bit of nonsense vaguely promising riches to recipients who quickly … Continue reading →

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The ‘Onion Field’ Remembered [Update]

Posted on January 25, 2010 by lmharnisch

Photograph by Don Cormier / Los Angeles Times March 11, 1963: Jimmy Lee Smith returns to the crime scene to reenact the “Onion Field” killing with Sgt. G.H. Bates, left, as Officer Ian Campbell; Sgt. Danny Galindo, center, as Officer … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, 1963, books, Crime and Courts, Film, Hollywood, Homicide, LAPD, Photography | 7 Comments

Finch Stole Two Cadillacs, Went to Las Vegas

Posted on January 23, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Betty Jean Behr shows a photo of victim Barbara Jean Finch. What to do with the radioactive waste piling up in Long Beach? Dump it in the ocean!   March 22, 1960: A judge rules that Long Beach has … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Environment, Homicide, Long Beach | 1 Comment

Through the Lens – the Finch Case

Posted on January 23, 2010 by lmharnisch

 Photograph by Edward Gamer / Los Angeles Times May 21, 1960: Regular correspondent Howard Decker asked if the Daily Mirror could publish some photos from the Finch case. This is defendant Carole Tregoff, who went through many outfits and changes … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Homicide, Photography | 1 Comment

A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movie Columnist

Posted on January 22, 2010 by lmharnisch

     Jan. 22, 1960 – Hedda Hopper says: “Jerry Wald's finally got his "Return to Peyton Place" players all set: Joan Crawford plays the mother-in-law who plans the murder of her daughter-in-law, Carol Lynley, who gets wind of the … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Columnists, Film, Hollywood, Homicide | 1 Comment

‘Onion Field’ Killing Revisited

Posted on January 22, 2010 by lmharnisch

March 13, 1963, Jimmy Lee Smith reenacts the killing of Officer  Ian Campbell. March 12, 1963:  "Ex-convict Jimmy Lee Smith stood in a Kern County onion field Monday and acted out his version of how an unarmed policeman was slain … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, books, Homicide, LAPD | 2 Comments

Forgery Charged in Finch Trial

Posted on January 22, 2010 by lmharnisch

      Jan. 22, 1960: The prosecution alleges that Dr. R. Bernard Finch forged his wife’s signature to a check for $3,000 [$21,576.68 USD 2008] three days after Finch allegedly beat and threatened to kill his wife and two … Continue reading →

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Trial Takes Its Toll

Posted on January 21, 2010 by lmharnisch

    Jan. 21, 1960: The Mirror's Lee Belser, at right with Otto the clown in a 1958 photo, takes a savage look at how Carole Tregoff’s appearance has changed since she was arrested in the Finch murder case. She said: … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Homicide | 1 Comment

Finch Defense Attacks Murder for Hire Plot

Posted on January 21, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Sen. Everett Dirksen (R-Ill.) praises President Eisenhower on the anniversary of his first inauguration, saying that Eisenhower and Vice President Richard Nixon had brought to the country a "deeply inspired" administration "that had reversed the course of government intrusion … Continue reading →

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Matt Weinstock, Jan. 20, 1960

Posted on January 20, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Nobody's Home     A lady I know received two warning calls in quick succession the other day from neighbors.  Their breathlessness message: "Don't answer the door — the tax assessor's on the way to your house!"  The second neighbor … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Columnists, Homicide, Matt Weinstock, Religion | Comments Off on Matt Weinstock, Jan. 20, 1960

Man Says Woman Paid Him to Kill Lover’s Wife

Posted on January 20, 2010 by lmharnisch

The killer was supposed to say: “Tell her this is from Bernie!” The witness said he was “drinking heavily that day.” Jan. 20, 1960: “A suave and smooth-talking convict testified yesterday that Carole Tregoff hired him to kill Mrs. Barbara … Continue reading →

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Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, Jan. 19, 1960

Posted on January 19, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Son's Not Quite Like Dad, but He's a Todd     Hollywood, U.S.A. — The shadow of a showman slipped into town this week.     His name was Mike Todd, with a Jr. tacked on the end, and he came … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Columnists, Homicide, Paul Coates | Comments Off on Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, Jan. 19, 1960

Plot Alleged in Finch Killing

Posted on January 19, 2010 by lmharnisch

    Donald Williams testifies about a murder-for-hire plot in the Finch killing. Sen. Hubert Humphrey (D-Minn.) challenges Vice President Nixon to a series of debates with potential Democratic candidates.   “Cash McCall” is opening in Los Angeles. Jan. 19, 1960: … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Film, Hollywood, Homicide, Lakers, Politics, Richard Nixon, Sports | Comments Off on Plot Alleged in Finch Killing

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

Posted on January 18, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Coates Views the Funny Side of Nixon     NEWS ITEM (Hank Grant's column, Hollywood Reporter) — "Writer Tony Webster's been approached to pen gags for Richard Nixon's campaign speeches."     I'm no Criswell, but I can make a prediction … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Columnists, Homicide, Paul Coates | Comments Off on Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, Jan. 18, 1960

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

Posted on January 15, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Encounter With a Pencil Salesman     Mike was the old man's name.  He had no teeth, one good arm and legs that stopped at the knees.     He came out of the rain yesterday afternoon, into my office.     … Continue reading →

Posted in Columnists, Front Pages, Homicide, Paul Coates | Comments Off on Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, Jan. 15, 1960