Category Archives: Homicide

Found on EBay –Harvey Milk

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

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

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

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

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Barbara Graham case revisited, November 28, 1958

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

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

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

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November 23, 1938: Nuestro Pueblo — Lincoln Heights

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

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November 22, 1958: Estranged wife kills jealous husband

In a confrontation over a divided Berlin, a Soviet official says the government plans to give control to the East Germans by Christmas, and some Soviet troops are reportedly going home. President Eisenhower vows to maintain the occupation of West … Continue reading

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November 20, 1958: Valley man killed with hammer

The crash of a Marine plane near El Toro derails the Santa Fe’s San Diegan, but no serious injuries are reported. Ernest E. Hargis, who had been a city ambulance driver for 20 years, is found beaten to death with … Continue reading

Posted in 1958, Front Pages, Homicide | 1 Comment

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

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

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

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

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Black Dahlia

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

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

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

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Changeling — Part VIII

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

                                     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

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Changeling — Part VI

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

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

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.

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