Category Archives: Homicide

The ‘Unwritten Law’ on Homicide

Posted on October 26, 2009 by lmharnisch

Halloween with R.F. Outcault’s Buster Brown. Oct. 26, 1919: The “unwritten law,” that a husband was justified in killing any man who romanced his wife, appears frequently in The Times and was cited as a defense for decades – often … Continue reading →

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Doctor Dumped Severed Body Into Creek, Chauffeur Says

Posted on October 26, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Labor activists in Indianapolis set off four precisely timed bombs targeting a contractor using non-union workers. One bomb destroyed a barn at his home, two bombs wrecked buildings under construction and the fourth damaged a building at his plant. … Continue reading →

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Jealousy Leads to Murder and Suicide

Posted on October 22, 2009 by lmharnisch

“Somebody Is Always Taking the Joy Out of Life” by Clare Briggs. Oct. 22, 1919: Mrs. Zola Schmidt was  killed as she slept … while holding a letter from another man. 916 W. 9th, the scene of the crime. “I … Continue reading →

Posted in art and artists, Comics, Homicide, Music, Suicide | 4 Comments

Jealous Boyfriend Stabs Actress to Death

Posted on October 12, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Oct. 12, 1959: Chester Harvey Smith stabs LaJean Ethridge to death while on location for the filming of “The Alamo.” He was sentenced to 30 years in prison.

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Dodgers, Braves Tie for Pennant

Posted on September 28, 2009 by lmharnisch

The Dodgers and Braves would meet in a best-of-three playoff series to determine the National League representative in the World Series. Both teams won their regular-season finales to stay tied for first. The Dodgers beat the Cubs, 7-1, and the Braves beat … Continue reading →

Posted in art and artists, Comics, Dodgers, Film, Homicide | 1 Comment

Death in a Small Cafe

Posted on September 27, 2009 by lmharnisch

Sept. 27, 1909: A tale of murder in a San Fernando Street cafe. And imagine: "A ranch on Adams Street west of the city limits."

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George ‘Evil Genius’ Hodel Rides Again III

Posted on September 25, 2009 by lmharnisch

Above, Page 79, “Most Evil,” by Steve Hodel So far, the majority of votes are against dissecting the problems in “Most Evil,” which is fine with me because it would be almost as much work as debunking John Gilmore’s “Severed,” which … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, books, Homicide, LAPD | 8 Comments

Voices — Susan Atkins, 1948 – 2009

Posted on September 25, 2009 by lmharnisch

Dec. 7, 1969: Susan Atkins' father describes his troubles with his daughter before she joined the Manson family. Dec. 12, 1969: The late Dial Torgerson, one of The Times' most distinguished writers, on Susan Atkins: 

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Black Dahlia Revisited

Posted on September 24, 2009 by lmharnisch

I need to make a few points about the coverage of the Black Dahlia case before I move on. The killing and the subsequent investigation are incredibly complicated and the false claims, ridiculous "true crime" books and crackpot websites have … Continue reading →

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

Sex Killer Harvey Glatman Executed

Posted on September 18, 2009 by lmharnisch

Sept. 18, 1959: Attorney Jerry Giesler (d. 1962) has a heart attack. Harvey M. Glatman is executed in the sex killings of Judy Ann Dull, Ruth Mercado and Shirley Ann Bridgeford. The Mirror said that 45 minutes before the execution, … Continue reading →

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Man Convicted of Shooting Wife Fights a Team of Officers

Posted on September 12, 2009 by lmharnisch

Sept. 12, 1909: Winsor McCay's "Little Nemo in Slumberland." McCay's drawings are a mixed blessing. He was a wonderful artist with a fabulous imagination — and he drew this appalling character, Imp. A police automobile speeding on a call crashes … Continue reading →

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Paul V. Coates — Confidential File, Sept. 11, 1959

Posted on September 11, 2009 by lmharnisch

Actor Paul Douglas dies at the age of 52. "The reading public is seldom aware of the enterprise, imagination, teamwork and tireless digging that goes into the achievement of an exclusive newspaper story. The Mirror News published such a scoop … Continue reading →

Posted in Columnists, Film, Hollywood, Homicide, Obituaries, Paul Coates | Comments Off on Paul V. Coates — Confidential File, Sept. 11, 1959

A Shotgun Divorce

Posted on September 9, 2009 by lmharnisch

Sept. 9, 1919: Military schools are flourishing in Los Angeles. Someone came up behind Frank Gentile while he was sleeping on the couch and blew off the back of his head with a 16-gauge shotgun. Because he was Italian, police … Continue reading →

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Poison From a Secret Admirer

Posted on September 7, 2009 by lmharnisch

Sept. 7, 1909: Car shopping a century ago. A bottle of wine from a secret admirer nearly kills Mrs. J.G. Cash, Reno telephone operator. Cash went to the hospital because she felt ill and when a doctor prescribed some wine … Continue reading →

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Wife Shoots Cheating Husband in the Head

Posted on August 29, 2009 by lmharnisch

Aug. 29, 1899: Cupidene restores lost manhood.

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USC Coed Killed; O’Malley Confident on Chavez Ravine

Posted on August 25, 2009 by lmharnisch

The imam of Yemen beheads several "Christian agitators" and has others mutilated in a crackdown on liberal reforms … USC student Linda Edna Martin, 21, is found naked and bleeding to death outside her boyfriend's apartment. The Parker T-Ball Jotter … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Charles Hillinger, Comics, Dodgers, Fashion, Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, Homicide, LAPD, Sports | 1 Comment

A Gruesome Day on the Gallows

Posted on August 24, 2009 by lmharnisch

Aug. 24, 1889: Note that the Daily Mirror does not advocate walking on railroad tracks. Pedestrians (and cows) always come out second best in a contest against a locomotive. The above item is for illustration purposes only. When California made … Continue reading →

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Hawaii Becomes 50th State; Redskins Beat Rams

Posted on August 22, 2009 by lmharnisch

Aug. 22, 1959: The Redskins beat the Rams in The Times annual charity game ,,, Sir Thomas Beecham, 80, marries his 27-year-old secretary … and Hawaii officially becomes the 50th state. The House Un-American Activities Committee cancels hearings on communist … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, @news, art and artists, broadcasting, Comics, Dodgers, Film, Hollywood, Homicide, LAPD, Politics, Religion, Sports | 1 Comment

Officer Arrested for Killing Fleeing Suspect

Posted on August 21, 2009 by lmharnisch

Aug. 21, 1899: Boston Optical Co., 235 S. Spring. Thomas Wiley is arrested for drunk driving — of a wagon. Redlands Police Officer George H. Walker is in jail after killing George R. Hawley [Clinton P. Hawley in later stories] … Continue reading →

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Top Suspect in Tate Killings Freed; Bunning Joins Dodgers

Posted on August 19, 2009 by lmharnisch

The death toll from Hurricane Camille rises to 100, with 2,000 injured. The AP calls it "perhaps the worst hurricane ever to hit the American mainland." The leading suspect in the Tate killings, Thomas Michael Harrigan, is released after being … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Dodgers, Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, Homicide, LAPD, Richard Nixon | Comments Off on Top Suspect in Tate Killings Freed; Bunning Joins Dodgers