Robert S. James' real name was Major Raymond Lisenba. He was known as Robert S. James during his marriage to Mary Emma Busch James and at the time of her death in 1935, and, after her murder by rattlesnake bite and drowning, as "Rattlesnake James."
A similar photograph appears with Los Angeles Times article, May 28, 1936, James Guilty in Girl Case, Suspect Smiles at Verdict, Jury Convicts Barber on All Three Counts of Morals Offenses. … James … sat stolid and emotionless as a jury decreed him guilty of three separate morals offenses involving his 21-year-old niece. … facing the still more serious charge of murdering his wife last August by rattlesnake venom and drowning …
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 and Samuel Silverman, both in suits and ties, standing, with chalkboard or easel at right, bailiff and another man behind them, man at rolltop desk in foreground, crowded courtroom in background
Robert S. James' real name was Major Raymond Lisenba. He was known as Robert S. James during his marriage to Mary Emma Busch James and at the time of her death in 1935, and, after her murder by rattlesnake bite and drowning, as "Rattlesnake James."
Robert S. James' real name was Major Raymond Lisenba. He was known as Robert S. James during his marriage to Mary Emma Busch James and at the time of her death in 1935, and, after her murder by rattlesnake bite and drowning, as "Rattlesnake James."
Robert S. James' real name was Major Raymond Lisenba. He was known as Robert S. James during his marriage to Mary Emma Busch James and at the time of her death in 1935, and, after her murder by rattlesnake bite and drowning, as "Rattlesnake James."