Tag Archives: #courts

A light in the window

Posted on August 23, 2007 by lmharnisch

Aug. 23, 1957Los Angeles Sandra O’Hara, 11, was sent to live with her mother when her parents divorced and apparently preferred to live with her father, Martin. So they devised a plan. The next time Sandra’s mother, Veda, 30, had … Continue reading →

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Confidential: Tells the Facts and Names the Names

Posted on August 18, 2007 by lmharnisch

Here’s the Confidential magazine article about Maureen O’Hara that prompted her lawsuit and the testimony about the alleged tryst at Grauman’s Chinese Theater. From the March 1957 issue. (Note: O’Hara successfully proved that she was out of the country when … Continue reading →

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Grauman confidential–Part II

Posted on August 18, 2007 by lmharnisch

Aug. 18, 1957Los Angeles Maureen O’Hara says through her lawyer that it was impossible for her to have engaged in the alleged tryst at Grauman’s Chinese Theater because at the time it supposedly occurred she was out of the country … Continue reading →

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Confidential: Tells the Facts and Names the Names

Posted on August 10, 2007 by lmharnisch

Aug. 10-15, 1957 Los Angeles In testimony that was at times as colorful as its red and yellow covers, the Confidential magazine trial continued with an appearance by its former editor in proceedings that were all the more interesting because … Continue reading →

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Countdown to Watts

Posted on August 2, 2007 by lmharnisch

Aug. 1-7, 1957Los Angeles A search through The Times for early August reveals several stories about Chief William H. Parker being honored for 30 years service with the Los Angeles Police Department. In a luncheon at the Biltmore Bowl hosted … Continue reading →

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No deal

Posted on July 30, 2007 by lmharnisch

July 30, 1957Los Angeles The state prosecutor and the defense had reached an agreement on most points in the conspiracy trial involving Confidential and Whisper magazines. According to the proposed accord, Confidential and Whisper would: 1.Abandon their present format, would … Continue reading →

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Countdown to Watts

Posted on July 25, 2007 by lmharnisch

July 25, 1957Los Angeles To The Times, a class-action suit accusing the Los Angeles Police Department of brutality simply wasn’t newsworthy. The Mirror did a bit better: a few paragraphs on Page 12. And these were juicy stories: A Baptist … Continue reading →

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You, the jury, Part II

Posted on July 19, 2007 by lmharnisch

July 19, 1957 Los Angeles The jury convicted Wallace LeRoy Schiers of second-degree murder on July 18, 1957. But Schiers continued to insist that he did not kill his wife. He said: “I have nothing on my conscience. Somewhere along … Continue reading →

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You, the jury, Part I

Posted on July 16, 2007 by lmharnisch

  July 16, 1957 Los Angeles Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, you have heard the witnesses and seen the evidence. Now you must decide whether to find Wallace LeRoy Schiers, 34, guilty of second-degree murder in the killing his … Continue reading →

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Time warp to 1910

Posted on July 13, 2007 by lmharnisch

Dec. 10, 1910Los Angeles I came across this article in looking for something else and found it too fascinating not to share. That’s why I love research. Email me

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Gail Russell–in memoriam

Posted on July 5, 2007 by lmharnisch

Photographs by the Los Angeles Times Sgt. C.H. Specht examines damage to Jan’s Restaurant, 8424 Beverly Blvd., caused by Gail Russell’s convertible.  Below right, Russell fails a test for intoxication administered by Specht. July 6, 1957 Los Angeles You poor … Continue reading →

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Battling movie stars

Posted on June 20, 2007 by lmharnisch

  June 20, 1957 Los Angeles For battling Hollywood celebrities, it’s hard to surpass Shelley Winters and Anthony Franciosa. They were only married a few years, but they made up for it in brawls between themselves, other actors (like Ava … Continue reading →

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Paul V. Coates–Confidential File

Posted on June 11, 2007 by lmharnisch

June 11, 1957 Our national concern for the plight of soldier William Girard has, from the start, struck me as oddly misplaced. As well as I can understand it, we’re upset because the United States has failed to stand behind … Continue reading →

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Paul V. Coates–Confidential File

Posted on June 8, 2007 by lmharnisch

June 8, 1957 Maxwell Spencer knows more drunks, habitual and occasional, than most men know sober people. But he is a man of strong constitution. So far, he hasn’t permitted his associations to drag him down the neck of a … Continue reading →

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Cop molests girl

Posted on June 6, 2007 by lmharnisch

  June 6, 1957 Los Angeles Former vice squad Detective Sgt. Philip Barnes was convicted of molesting a 13-year-old girl, according to The Times. Barnes, of 3811 W. Avenue 41, presented an unusual challenge to prosecutors. Because he waived his … Continue reading →

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Riot at Virginia Tech

Posted on June 1, 2007 by lmharnisch

June 1, 1957 Los Angeles In Washington, Arthur Miller is found guilty of contempt of Congress for refusing to reveal who else attended a Communist meeting in 1947. In an appearance before the House Un-American Activities Committee, Miller, the playwright … Continue reading →

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Crooked partner

Posted on May 25, 2007 by lmharnisch

  May 25, 1957 Los Angeles Mohamad Ahmad should have picked a more honest partner for his liquor business. But maybe it was only after Ahmad died that the man’s true nature became clear. Ahmad, 55, died in Jerusalem on … Continue reading →

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Child killer

Posted on May 24, 2007 by lmharnisch

  Photograph by Larry Harnisch Los Angeles TimesAbove, 425 Isabella St., Highland Park, May 19, 2007. May 24, 1957 Los Angeles His mother’s boyfriend can’t hurt him anymore. Little Donald Butler Jr., 3, said: "I love you, Mommy," and died … Continue reading →

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Tough prosecutor

Posted on May 16, 2007 by lmharnisch

  May 16, 1957 Los Angeles While L. Ewing Scott uses every possible ploy to delay his extradition from Michigan, the district attorney’s office has appointed top prosecutor J. Miller Leavy to handle the case. Leavy has just finished the … Continue reading →

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Hollywood madam

Posted on May 15, 2007 by lmharnisch

May 15, 1957 Los Angeles The papers called her an actress, but she was never in anything but trouble and her only talent was for raising hell. Even the gossip magazines quit working with her because they didn’t trust her. … Continue reading →

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