Location: Los Angeles (Calif.) / Names: James, Robert S. / Subject: Crime - UCLA Library Digital Collections Search Results

Description:: Robert S. James sitting in the witness stand with a map of his home behind 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.
Date:: [circa May 1936]
Resource Type:: still image
Collection:: Los Angeles Daily News Negatives

Description:: "Rattlesnake" murderer Robert S. James in his jail cell. James had tied down his pregnant fifth wife and forced a rattlesnake to bite her, and then later drowned her in their fish pond. He was supposedly helped by his friend, ex-sailor Charles H. Hope, who was also charged with murder.
Date:: [circa May 1936]
Resource Type:: still image
Collection:: Los Angeles Daily News Negatives

Description:: Robert S. James on the witness stand in an empty courtroom. James had tied down his pregnant fifth wife and forced a rattlesnake to bite her, and then later drowned her in their fish pond. He was supposedly helped by his friend, ex-sailor Charles H. Hope, who was also charged with murder.
Date:: [circa May 1936]
Resource Type:: still image
Collection:: Los Angeles Daily News Negatives

Description:: 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.
Date:: [circa May 1936]
Resource Type:: still image
Collection:: Los Angeles Daily News Negatives

Description:: Robert S. James sitting in the witness stand with a plan of his home behind 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.
Date:: [circa May 1936]
Resource Type:: still image
Collection:: Los Angeles Daily News Negatives

Description:: Widower Robert S. James sitting in a courtroom. James had lost his pregnant wife Mary Emma James after she drowned in their fish pool. A jury was unable to discern whether her drowning was accidental or intentional.
Date:: [circa August 16, 1935]
Resource Type:: still image
Collection:: Los Angeles Daily News Negatives

Description:: Widower Robert S. James sitting in a courtroom. James had lost his pregnant wife Mary Emma James after she drowned in their fish pool. A jury was unable to discern whether her drowning was accidental or intentional.
Date:: [circa August 16, 1935]
Resource Type:: still image
Collection:: Los Angeles Daily News Negatives

Description:: "Rattlesnake" murderer Robert S. James on his way to court while handcuffed to an unidentified man. James had tied down his pregnant fifth wife and forced a rattlesnake to bite her, and then later drowned her in their fish pond. He was supposedly helped by his friend, ex-sailor Charles H. Hope, who was also charged with murder.
Date:: [circa May 1936]
Resource Type:: still image
Collection:: Los Angeles Daily News Negatives

Description:: "Rattlesnake" murderer Robert S. James smoking a cigarette and reading a newspaper in his jail cell. James had tied down his pregnant fifth wife and forced a rattlesnake to bite her, and then later drowned her in their fish pond. He was supposedly helped by his friend, ex-sailor Charles H. Hope, who was also charged with murder.
Date:: [circa May 1936]
Resource Type:: still image
Collection:: Los Angeles Daily News Negatives

Description:: Widower Robert S. James sitting in a courtroom. James had lost his pregnant wife Mary Emma James after she drowned in their fish pool. A jury was unable to discern whether her drowning was accidental or intentional.
Date:: [circa August 16, 1935]
Resource Type:: still image
Collection:: Los Angeles Daily News Negatives

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