Category Archives: Homicide

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.

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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 →

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‘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

Attorney general runs for governor, Dodgers win against Giants 5-3, September 4, 1958

Posted on September 4, 2008 by lmharnisch

Democratic Atty. Gen. Pat Brown announces that he will run for governor of California. His first promise is to ensure equal job opportunities. Brown also denounces Proposition 18, a right to work measure. Brown rejects Republican Sen. William F. Knowland’s … Continue reading →

Posted in City Hall, Current Affairs, Dodgers, Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, Homicide, LAPD, Politics | 1 Comment

August 31, 1958: Woman kills husband as children sleep, Giants win over Dodgers

Posted on August 31, 2008 by lmharnisch

Lillian loved Ed. She loved him even though he beat her. She loved him even though he was on probation for beating her. And she loved him even when he lay dying on the kitchen floor after she stabbed him … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, @news, Columnists, Dodgers, Front Pages, Homicide, Sports | 1 Comment

August 28, 1958: Intruder kills former actress

Posted on August 28, 2008 by lmharnisch

She is one of those cold cases that leave all kinds of unanswered questions even when the killer is finally caught, convicted and sent to prison. Nothing about it passes the sniff test. We know her name was Helene Funk … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, @news, Cemeteries, Dodgers, Film, Forest Lawn, Front Pages, Hollywood, Hollywood Division, Homicide, LAPD, Sports | 1 Comment

August 27,1958: Woman kills husband over singing, Reds win against Dodgers

Posted on August 27, 2008 by lmharnisch

Was Benjamin John Beynon an abusive husband … or just a bad singer? Ben, 46, and his wife of six years, Anne, lived at 1946 1/2 New England Ave., between Hoover and Vermont just south of Washington. For the last … Continue reading →

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

Police kill man, rock ‘n’ roll, Dodgers win, August 21, 1958

Posted on August 21, 2008 by lmharnisch

  Hula Hoops and Dick Clark at the Hollywood Bowl (with Rod McKuen!) Jan and Arnie ("Jennie Lee," "The Beat That Can’t Be Beat")? The Six Teens ("A Casual Look")? These are not names that are familiar to me. Hey … Continue reading →

Posted in #games, @news, Countdown to Watts, Dodgers, Front Pages, Homicide, LAPD, Music, Rock 'n' Roll, Television | 2 Comments

Wife ends family fight with shotgun, August 18, 1958

Posted on August 18, 2008 by lmharnisch

August 18, 1958 Ralph Atkinson, 28-year-old upholsterer of 6609 Beeman Ave., North Hollywood, left home early Sunday to buy a newspaper. On the way back, he decided to stop at a bar and have a drink. Or two. Or three. … Continue reading →

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

Actress attempts suicide at home of movie star, August 1958

Posted on August 14, 2008 by lmharnisch

A young actress and model takes an overdose of sleeping pills at the home of Mickey Rooney, August 1958
Continue reading →

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Woman, boy strangled

Posted on July 24, 2008 by lmharnisch
Posted in Homicide, LAPD | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Woman disappears

Posted on July 23, 2008 by lmharnisch

3714 W. Pico, via Google maps.   July 23, 1958 uth lived in a room at the Shari Hotel, 3714 W. Pico, that she shared with a little dog and a couple of parakeets. The landlord realized she hadn’t been … Continue reading →

Posted in Homicide | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

El Segundo revisited

Posted on July 14, 2008 by lmharnisch

orman Frederick Gagnon looks like an excellent suspect in the unsolved killing of two El Segundo police officers last year. In an incident quite similar to the El Segundo case, Charles H. May and a female companion (The Times, fortunately, … Continue reading →

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