Category Archives: Homicide

Voices — Christine Collins, May 3, 1929

Posted on December 24, 2008 by lmharnisch

From the California State Archives The Christine Collins letters The woman whose tragedy inspired the Clint Eastwood movie "Changeling" tells her story in her own words. San Gabriel, Calif.May 3, 1929 Mr. A EichoffSan Francisco, Calif. Dear Sir: I am … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Changeling, Film, Hollywood, Homicide, LAPD | 2 Comments

Geronimo Pratt case 40 years later

Posted on December 23, 2008 by lmharnisch

Los Angeles Times file photo Elmer Gerard "Geronimo" Pratt in 2000, after his release from prison. 'Lie down and pray' Gunshots on a Santa Monica tennis court reverberated across legal landscape. Note: Edward J. Boyer, now retired, covered the Elmer … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, books, Front Pages, Homicide, LAPD | 11 Comments

Body found in shallow grave; Rams take off-season jobs, December 22, 1958

Posted on December 22, 2008 by lmharnisch

I thought I had encountered just about every kind of bizarre Southern California crime imaginable, but the Elizabeth Ann Duncan case is staggering–lrh. Mother leaves three children outside orphanage. Teenage robbers shoot barber The Rams’ season was over, so it … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, @news, Front Pages, Homicide, Sports | Comments Off

December 22, 1938: Jealous husband kills wife with ax

Posted on December 22, 2008 by lmharnisch

Testimony in the murder trial was so graphic that spectators became ill and fled the courtroom, The Times said.

Posted in #courts, 1938, Front Pages, Homicide, LAPD | 1 Comment

Robbers shoot couple on Santa Monica tennis court, Bills seek new coach, December 19, 1968

Posted on December 19, 2008 by lmharnisch

My heart skipped a beat when I pulled up this page. Of course, this is the beginning of the Geronimo Pratt case. Note the Ted Thackery Jr. byline. — lrh The Buffalo Bills had big plans in 1968. Not … Continue reading →

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

Voices — Christine Collins, September 13, 1925

Posted on December 16, 2008 by lmharnisch

The Christine Collins letters The woman whose tragedy inspired the Clint Eastwood movie "Changeling" tells her story in her own words. From the California State Archives Los Angeles, Calif.Sept. 13, 1925 Mr. Gannon,No. 1 Sansome St.San Francisco, Calif. Dear Sir, … Continue reading →

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December 11, 1938: Breakfast of death; voodoo cult killings

Posted on December 11, 2008 by lmharnisch

December 10, 1938: I defy anyone to insist that the past was “a kinder, simpler time” after reading this page. But don’t take my word for it — see for yourself.

Posted in #courts, 1938, Food and Drink, Front Pages, Homicide, LAPD | Comments Off

Cult members describe bombing, December 11, 1958

Posted on December 11, 2008 by lmharnisch

"Venta will return and be resurrected." Known as "the barefoot people." Above, followers of Krishna Venta describe life at the Fountain of the World religious compound and the bombing that killed 10 people. "A tower of blue and white flame … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, @news, Current Affairs, Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, Homicide, Religion, San Fernando Valley, Suicide | Comments Off

Cult leader killed in bombing of religious compound, December 10, 1958

Posted on December 10, 2008 by lmharnisch

American history presented as a lavish pageant, the only film directed by Anthony Quinn, who took over from the ailing Cecil B. DeMille. With a great score by Elmer Bernstein. An ad published in The Times shortly before the explosion. … Continue reading →

Posted in Front Pages, Homicide, Religion, San Fernando Valley, Suicide | 2 Comments

December 2, 1958: Model stabbed, dumped off mountain highway

Posted on December 5, 2008 by lmharnisch

People v. Feasby (1960) 178 Cal.App.2d 723 [3 Cal.Rptr. 230] [Crim. No. 6783.Second Dist., Div. Three. Mar. 9, 1960.] THE PEOPLE, Respondent, v. GERALD BYRON FEASBY, Appellant. COUNSEL Ellery E. Cuff, Public Defender (Los Angeles), Richard S. Buckley and Richard … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, 1958, Courts, Crime and Courts, Front Pages, Homicide | Comments Off

Killers die in gas chamber, December 3, 1938

Posted on December 3, 2008 by lmharnisch

"There’s nothing to it." — Robert Lee Cannon "So long." — Albert Kessel "That was the most terrible thing I’ve ever seen. I’ve witnessed 52 hangings. I could find nothing humane about it and I never want to watch anything … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Caryl Chessman, Front Pages, Homicide, Sports | 1 Comment

Found on EBay — Black Mask magazine

Posted on December 2, 2008 by lmharnisch

A copy of the May 1943 issue of Black Mask magazine has turned up on EBay. Bidding has started at $50, about average for an issue of this vintage. Note that UCLA Special Collections has a nearly complete collection of … Continue reading →

Posted in art and artists, books, Homicide | Comments Off

Speeding train crushes school bus; UCLA gets new football coach, December 2, 1938

Posted on December 2, 2008 by lmharnisch

A truck carrying Christmas trees crashes into a streetcar … and a man is charged with buying a cougar cub at a pet store and killing it for the $75 bounty. Robert L. Cannon and Albert Kessel, sentenced to die … Continue reading →

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

Found on EBay –Harvey Milk

Posted on December 1, 2008 by lmharnisch

The new movie about San Francisco Supervisor Harvey Milk has brought a bit a ephemera to EBay. Here’s the extra the San Francisco Examiner brought out the day of the shooting. Bidding started at $9.99 and rose quickly. … Continue reading →

Posted in #gays and lesbians, Front Pages, Hollywood, Homicide, Politics | Comments Off

December 1, 1938: California prepares to execute two killers at San Quentin

Posted on December 1, 2008 by lmharnisch

The secret of Babe Ruth’s happy marriage: White Owl cigars. December 1, 1938: California prepares to use the gas chamber for executions rather than hanging.

Posted in #courts, 1938, @news, Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, Homicide, LAPD, Politics, Religion, Sports | 1 Comment

November 30, 1958: Former deputy strangles wife, kills himself as police close in

Posted on November 30, 2008 by lmharnisch

This is one of those stories where I wouldn’t change a word. We can only speculate as to who the anonymous rewrite man was, but he did a first-class job. All I can say is the obvious, which is that … Continue reading →

Posted in 1958, Front Pages, Homicide, Suicide | Comments Off

Barbara Graham case revisited, November 28, 1958

Posted on November 28, 2008 by lmharnisch

Los Angeles Times file photo. Murder victim Mabel Monahan. “As you went in the front door, what was the first thing that attracted your attention?” “Mrs. Graham was striking Mrs. Monahan in the face with a gun. She was standing … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, @news, Film, Front Pages, Homicide, San Fernando Valley | 3 Comments

November 27, 1968: O.J. Simpson wins Heisman

Posted on November 27, 2008 by lmharnisch

O.J. Simpson won the Heisman Trophy as the best college football player of 1968 after a remarkable two-year USC career. Dwight Chapin’s story in The Times portrayed the lack of suspense–even Simpson said he was “pretty confident.” Who could blame … Continue reading →

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

LAPD honors dead officer’s heroism, November 26, 1958

Posted on November 26, 2008 by lmharnisch

Note: This is an encore post from 2008. Police Sgt. Gene T. Nash died after a shootout with robbery suspects in an apartment house on Budlong just south of Adams. In a televised ceremony, Police Chief William H. Parker presented … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, @news, Cemeteries, Front Pages, Homicide, LAPD, Television | Comments Off

November 23, 1938: Nuestro Pueblo — Lincoln Heights

Posted on November 23, 2008 by lmharnisch

Above, Sam’s Lunch Room in 1938 and below, Avenue 19 via Google maps street view.

Posted in #courts, Food and Drink, Homicide, LAPD, Nuestro Pueblo | Comments Off