District Attorney Buron Fitts and his sister Mrs. Berthal Gregory appear in a crowded courtroom with Mrs. Marion Fitts and their attorneys Joseph Scott and Jerry Giesler. Seated left to right is Buron Fitts, Mrs. Marion Fitts, and Berthal Gregory. Standing in the back, left to right, is Joseph Scott and Jerry Giesler.
New York mayor Fiorello La Guardia presides over the Pacific coast regional meeting of the United States Conference of Mayors. Boston Mayor Frederick Mansfield served as Mr. La Guardia's secretary. Approximately 60 Pacific coast mayors attended the conference. Unemployment relief was a focal topic at the conference, which was held at Los Angeles' City Council chamber. May 15, 1937.
Hal Takaoka testifying on the witness stand about the murder of his sister, dancer Midi Takaoka. Judge Irvin Taplin was presiding. The dancer's throat was cut by her jilted lover, waiter Raymond Johnson. Johnson later was sentenced to life in prison.
An unidentified lawyer approaching Robert S. James as he sits in the witness stand. A map of his home is visible 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.
Soldiers in old military uniforms stand next to others wearing the new "streamlined" style during a military show for National Defense Week. The show was held at the Los Angeles Airport and more than 60 officers and men participated.