Category Archives: Homicide

I Want to Live — The Barbara Graham murder case, November 16, 1958

Posted on November 16, 2008 by lmharnisch

Above: Barbara Graham, one of four women to be executed in California, along with Juanita “the Duchess” Spinelli, Louise Peete and Elizabeth Duncan. The trailer–dig those bongos! Gerry Mulligan! Five years after the execution of Barbara Graham in the Mabel … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, Homicide, San Fernando Valley | 10 Comments

November 12, 1958: Teenage hitchhiker killed

Posted on November 12, 2008 by lmharnisch

Daryle Kelch was one of the most popular seniors at William S. Hart High School. He had a good friend, Douglas Austin, and a girlfriend, Karen Deadmon. And he was a dependable boy, according to the eulogy delivered by the … Continue reading →

Posted in Front Pages, Homicide, LAPD, Obituaries | 3 Comments

L.A. kidnappings, June 17, 1934

Posted on November 8, 2008 by lmharnisch

The Times publishes a stern warning to racketeers that kidnapping doesn’t pay, but about the only gangland figure it mentions is Les Bruneman. The story touches on the Gordon Northcott (notice that we call him Gordon Northrop) and William Edward … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, @news, Changeling, Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, Homicide, LAPD | Comments Off

Black Dahlia

Posted on November 7, 2008 by lmharnisch

Steve Hodel’s "Black Dahlia Avenger," inscribed to James Ellroy, as listed on EBay for $19.99, in 2006. Steve Hodel is bringing his "Black Dahlia Avenger" presentation to the South Pasadena Public Library at 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 7, 2008, … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, books, City Hall, Coming Attractions, Film, Hollywood, Homicide, LAPD | 3 Comments

Changeling — Part X

Posted on November 6, 2008 by lmharnisch

Los Angeles Times file photo Gordon Northcott ignores his attorneys and argues with the judge, Dec. 5, 1928. Oct. 17, 1928: The Police Commission decides not to punish Capt. J.J. Jones for putting Christine Collins in a mental ward. The … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Changeling, Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, Homicide, LAPD | 50 Comments

Changeling — Part IX

Posted on November 5, 2008 by lmharnisch

Los Angeles Times file photo Gordon Northcott On the eve of Gordon Northcott’s sentencing, a mob goes to the jail where he is being held. One of the leaders is N.H. Winslow, the father of two of Northcott’s victims, Lewis … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, Homicide, LAPD | Comments Off

Changeling — Part VIII

Posted on November 4, 2008 by lmharnisch

Los Angeles Times file photo Gordon Northcott: "Youth Convicted as Boy-Butcher." Los Angeles Times file photo "I killed Alvin Gothea on the ranch…" Gordon Northcott is convicted and sentenced to death. There were appeals but he was hanged at San … Continue reading →

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Changeling –Part VII

Posted on November 3, 2008 by lmharnisch

Los Angeles Times file photo From left, prosecutor Earl (sometimes spelled Earle) Redwine, Loyal Kelley, A.H. de Tremaudan (sometimes spelled Tremandon), J. McKinley Cameron, David Sokol, Gordon … Continue reading →

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

Changeling — Part VI

Posted on November 2, 2008 by lmharnisch

Los Angeles Times file photo In going through the photographs from the Gordon Northcott case, I’m struck by how different Northcott looks from one image to another. Sometimes he appears thoughtful, even bookish. In others, he looks quite demonic. In … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, @news, Changeling, Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, Homicide, LAPD | 4 Comments

Movie star beaten to death, November 1, 1968

Posted on November 1, 2008 by lmharnisch

Photograph by the Los Angeles Times Newsmen gather outside Ramon Novarro’s house, 3110 Laurel Canyon, after he was found beaten to death, 1968. View Larger Map The 3100 block of Laurel Canyon, where Ramon Novarro lived, via Google maps’ street … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, #gays and lesbians, Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, Homicide, LAPD | 5 Comments

Serial killer Harvey Glatman captured, October 31, 1958

Posted on October 31, 2008 by lmharnisch

Harvey Murray Glatman is arrested and freely admits killing three women. He was executed in the gas chamber Sept. 18, 1959. It took him eight minutes to die.

Posted in #courts, Front Pages, Homicide | Comments Off

Changeling — Part V

Posted on October 30, 2008 by lmharnisch

Los Angeles Times file photoThe Northcott ranch. Notice the stop sign used as a precursor to crime scene tape. Los Angeles Times file photoDetectives find a gun and an ax in the Northcott home in Los Angeles, but cannot link … Continue reading →

Posted in Changeling, Front Pages, Homicide, LAPD | 9 Comments

Changeling stories — Part IV

Posted on October 29, 2008 by lmharnisch

Los Angeles Times file photoLouisa Northcott, the mother of Gordon Northcott, isn’t portrayed in “Changeling,” but played a key role in the actual case. Above, she’s booked in jail. Los Angeles Times file photoLouisa Northcott with one of her attorneys … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Changeling, Homicide | 10 Comments

Changeling stories — Part III

Posted on October 28, 2008 by lmharnisch

Photograph by Tony Rivetti Jr. / Universal PicturesAbove, Colm Feore as Police Chief James Davis, “Changeling,” set in 1928. Los Angeles Times file photoAbove, Police Chief James Davis, 1926. Northcott signs confession. I don’t care much for the press passes … Continue reading →

Posted in Changeling, City Hall, Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, Homicide, LAPD | 1 Comment

Changeling stories — Part I

Posted on October 26, 2008 by lmharnisch

Police Capt. Jones and LAPD officers search the lake in Lincoln Park for the body of Walter Collins, Los Angeles Times, April 6, 1928. The boy claiming to be Walter Collins poses with Christine Collins, Aug. 18, 1928 Several regular … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, @news, Changeling, Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, Homicide, LAPD, Parks and Recreation | 42 Comments

October 22, 1958: Mob suspected in bookie’s killing

Posted on October 22, 2008 by lmharnisch

Clifford Rue was a man who was ahead of his time and behind on the payments to his bookie. A former Marine who changed his name from Rubenstein for business purposes, Rue had been working at his father’s liquor store … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Front Pages, Homicide, LAPD, San Fernando Valley | 1 Comment

Don’t waste your money on EBay

Posted on October 15, 2008 by lmharnisch

An enterprising EBay vendor is offering a CD of the FBI files on Elizabeth Short, the Black Dahlia. For a minimum bid of $9.99 plus shipping of $3. I admire American ingenuity as much as anyone. But folks, this material … Continue reading →

Posted in Homicide, LAPD | 2 Comments

In the news: Nicole Brown Simpson, July 3, 1994

Posted on October 4, 2008 by lmharnisch

Los Angeles Times file photo Nicole Brown Simpson Dreams of Better Days Died That Night Nicole Simpson: A strong woman, she was on a quest to find her identity. By Shawn Hubler and Rebecca Trounson Times Staff Writers In the … Continue reading →

Posted in broadcasting, Homicide, LAPD, Television | Comments Off

‘There is no longer any violence in the eyes of O.J. Simpson,’ October 6, 1968

Posted on October 4, 2008 by lmharnisch

Nixon leads Humphrey in state poll By Keith Thursby Times staff writer It’s easy to pick apart an old profile of a famous person. The celebrity talks of hopes and dreams and you can see what went according to the … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, @news, broadcasting, Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, Homicide, LAPD, Sports, Television | 1 Comment

Texas teenager arrested in death plot, September 25, 1958

Posted on September 25, 2008 by lmharnisch

Diana Day Humphries, 16, breaks into tears as she meets her mother at a Houston jail. Houston girl held in plan to kill family Teenager is in custody on charges of shooting her brother to death. She tells police she … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Homicide | 2 Comments