Robert S. James sitting in the witness stand with a map of his home behind him. An unidentified man is visible in front of him. He was most likely testifying in his own defense for the murder trial of his wife Mary Emma James. He purportedly had an affair with his niece, which spurred him to tie down his wife and have a rattlesnake bite her, and then later drown her in their fish pond. He was supposedly helped by his friend, ex-sailor Charles H. Hope, who was also charged with murder.
Robert S. James sitting in the witness stand with a plan of his home behind him. An unidentified man is visible in front of him. He was most likely testifying in his own defense for the murder trial of his wife Mary Emma James. He purportedly had an affair with his niece, which spurred him to tie down his wife and have a rattlesnake bite her, and then later drown her in their fish pond. He was supposedly helped by his friend, ex-sailor Charles H. Hope, who was also charged with murder.
Robert S. James sitting in the witness stand with a plan of his home behind him. An unidentified man is visible in front of him. He was most likely testifying in his own defense for the murder trial of his wife Mary Emma James. He purportedly had an affair with his niece, which spurred him to tie down his wife and have a rattlesnake bite her, and then later drown her in their fish pond. He was supposedly helped by his friend, ex-sailor Charles H. Hope, who was also charged with murder.
Robert S. James standing next to an unidentified man in court. He was most likely testifying in his own defense for the murder trial of his wife Mary Emma James. He purportedly had an affair with his niece, which spurred him to tie down his wife and have a rattlesnake bite her, and then later drown her in their fish pond. He was supposedly helped by his friend, ex-sailor Charles H. Hope, who was also charged with murder.
Accused murderer Paul A. Wright on the stand. Wright, an airport executive, shot his wife and his best friend while they sat together on a piano bench. He pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity.
Accused murderer Paul A. Wright on the stand. Wright, an airport executive, shot his wife and his best friend while they sat together on a piano bench. He pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity.
Dr. George K. Dazey (left) with his attorney, Jerry Giesler, at the trial in which Dr. Dazey is accused of murdering his second wife, actress Doris S. Dazey, in 1935. Doris Dazey's death was originally believed to be suicide by monoxide poisoning. However, witnesses claimed that Dr. Dazey had been boasting about committing the "perfect crime" and a night watchman testified to witnessing Dazey carry a woman's body from the house to the garage on the night of the murder. Other factors complicating the trial were the paternity of Doris and George Dazey's child, Doris Dazey's possible mental illness, and false testimonies from some of the witnesses. Dr. Dazey was ultimately acquitted of the crime.
Private detective Pearl Antibus appears in court with her daughter Norma Thelan and son Robert Antibus during her trial against millionaire Thomas W. Warner, Sr. Thomas Warner, Jr. sits next to the Antibus family. Mrs. Antibus sued Mr. Warner after her home was raided by Buron Fitts and several of his deputies at the request of Mr. Warner. The raid of Mrs. Antibus' home was conducted in order to search for Mr. Warner's son, Thomas W. Warner, Jr. Mr. Warner, Jr. was found hiding inside the home with his girlfriend Mrs. Jean MacDonald. The pair had been hiding in the home from Mr. Warner, Sr. who was opposed to their relationship and was seeking to end all contact between the pair. Mrs. Antibus served as a private detective for Mr. Warner, Jr. and had previously conducted an investigation into the life of Mrs. MacDonald in attempt to determine whether she was truly in love with Mr. Warner, Jr. Mrs. Antibus alleged that the raid left several of her visitors injured and was unnecessarily violent.
Los Angeles District Attorney Buron Fitts and Special Prosecutor Clyde Shoemaker, pictured at Fitts' perjury trial, circa January 1936. Dist. Atty Fitts was charged with perjuring himself during testimony to a 1931 grand jury, in regards to real estate transactions carried out by his family. His sister and secretary, Mrs. Berthal Gregory, was also a defendant in this case.
Mr. Abe Schwarz, Los Angeles tire worker and juror for the "White Flame" double homicide trial of aviation executive Paul A. Wright.Wright's defense team, led by famed Los Angeles defense attorney Jerry Giesler, argued that Wright was not guilty by reason of insanity. The jury found Wright guilty of two counts of manslaughter, and subsequently ruled that he had been insane at his sanity trial.
Fire Chief Ralph J. Scott is honored with a surprise party to celebrate his thirty years of service to the fire department. He is receiving a hand-illuminated book signed by every member of the fire department. From left to right, Ralph J. Scott, his wife Addie Scott, Fire Commissioner Edward Lewis, Harlan De Witt of the Fireman's Relief Association, and Mayor Shaw.
Captain Lynn D. Smith of the Coast Artillery Reserve, who was appointed as general chairman of the Los Angeles sector’s National Defense Week event held between February 12 and 22. The purpose of this week is to remind the public that their citizen soldiers (“minute men”) are trained and ready to protect the community in case of attack. The program includes public meetings, radio programs and other events.
Taken at grand jury investigation into death of film actress Thelma Todd. Todd was found in the garage of film director West, her business partner and lover, dead from carbon monoxide poisoning. Priester was Todd’s friend. Todd's death was eventually ruled an accident.
District Attorney Buron Fitts(rear left) and his sister Mrs. Berthal Gregory(rear middle) appear with their attorneys (front, left to right) Roland Swaffield, Walter K. Tuller, Joseph Scott, Jerry Giesler, and Jack Gilchrist(rear right) to contend with perjury charges made against them by the grand jury.
Court Clerk E.C. Averre, deputy District Attorney Edwin Meyers, deputy D.A. A.A. Van Cott and deputy D.A. John Barnes during the Douglas Aircraft sit-down strike trial in which 352 defendants were prosecuted for conspiring to illegally enter and occupy the aircraft plant. The trial opened May 11, 1937 and ran for several months.
A photograph of Sidney T. Graves as he awaited transfer from the Los Angeles County Jail to San Quentin Penitentiary. Graves was convicted of bribery a year before, after accepting a sum of $80,000 in connection with the high San Gabriel dam project. At that time, Graves had been a county Supervisor. He was sentenced to one to fourteen years imprisonment for his crime.The other men in the photo are unidentified. Graves is seated, right.
Pictured is "Pop-eye," the two-year-old Persian housecat in the arms of his owner, Miss Betty Jean Welch. Pop-eye became famous for killing a four-foot-long black diamond rattlesnake. The snake invaded Pop-eye's backyard, wherein Pop-eye defended his territory and bravely defeated the reptilian invader.
Robert Noble in County Jail awaiting bail. Noble, a self-proclaimed benefactor of the elderly, was arrested as he entered court to face misdemeanor charges, on a warrant that officers had been trying to serve for days. He was seized and booked and went to jail to await his $1000 bail to be made. Noble was a radio personality who gained loyal followers from an old age pension plan he promoted. Noble and his followers were originally arrested on October 17, 1937 while staging a demonstration near radio station KMTR. Noble was charged with holding a parade without permit, blocking the sidewalk and refusing to disperse on police command. After a lengthy trial, Noble spent five days in jail, he planned to use the time to prepare speeches for a gubernatorial campaign. He said he was pleased that he would have a captive audience at this time
Betty Flay Hardaker sits in an office chair and signs papers at the Los Angeles County Jail. Mrs. Hardaker was convicted of murdering her 5 year old daugher, Geraldine Hardaker, in a Montebello park washroom. The jury convicted her of committing the crime while of unsound mind.
Dean Cromwell coaching new faces on the 1940 Los Angeles Angeles Baseball Team, which played in the Pacific Coast League. From left to right the rookies are: Louie "The Mad Russian" Novikoff, Gordon Donaldson and Lou Stringer.
Sir Alfred Duff Cooper wearing a suit. Cooper was resting after travelling by train on his national lecture tour. Cooper was a British Conservative Party politician, diplomat and author.
Noted evangelist and founder of the Angelus Temple and the Foursquare Church, Aimee Semple McPherson, appears in court. This appearance is possibly related to her testifying in her own defense in a breach of contract suit regarding a film, "Clay in the Potter's Hands", in which she was to appear. The film's producer, J. Roy Stewart, died before the trial was completed, but the suit was found in his favor and McPherson ordered to pay $5900 to assignees of his interest in the contract. The trial took place in January of 1934.
Funeral procession for longshoreman Norman Gregg, who was known as "Big Bill." Gregg was shot by Patrolman W.H. Redding, and his death created an uproar amongst longshoremen. Traffic was blocked by demonstrations, and a shrine was constructed around the scene of the shooting.
A photograph of "Prince" (not, as captioned here, "Grand Duke") Michael Romanoff, a Hollywood restaurateur and actor, who claimed to be a member of the Russian royal family. This claim was widely known to be false; however, Romanoff kept up the deception throughout his life in Los Angeles.Romanoff was born Hershel Geguzin in Lithuania. He traveled extensively before settling in Los Angeles and into the role of Michael Romanoff. In Hollywood, he acted on stage and in film, but was perhaps most successful as the owner of the restaurant "Romanoff's" in Beverly Hills. The restaurant was popular for its chocolate souffles, and was frequented by many celebrities. It closed its doors in 1962.
Louis Payne sits with his father, Lucius F. Payne, and an unidentified man after being charged for the murder of his mother and brother. Louis Rude Payne, 21 years of age, used a camping axe to kill his mother, 45-year-old Carrie L. Payne, and 15-year-old brother Robert in their Westwood mansion home.
Louis Payne sits with his father, Lucius F. Payne, and an unidentified man after being charged for the murder of his mother and brother. Louis Rude Payne, 21 years of age, used a camping axe to kill his mother, 45-year-old Carrie L. Payne, and 15-year-old brother Robert in their Westwood mansion home.