Famed director and choreographer Busby Berkeley attending court to face three murder charges after he caused a car accident that resulted in fatalities after leaving a cocktail party. Witnesses reported smelling alcohol on Berkeley's breath at the time.
Gladys Carter, murder suspect, bowing her head and looking morose in a courtroom. Carter was charged with fatally shooting her houseguest of two years, Frances Walker. She suspected Walker of having a romantic relationship with her husband, Deputy Sheriff Archie Carter.
Gladys Carter, murder suspect, clutching a handkerchief in a courtroom. Carter was charged with fatally shooting her houseguest of two years, Frances Walker. She suspected Walker of having a romantic relationship with her husband, Deputy Sheriff Archie Carter.
Gladys Carter, murder suspect, clutching a handkerchief in a courtroom. Carter was charged with fatally shooting her houseguest of two years, Frances Walker. She suspected Walker of having a romantic relationship with her husband, Deputy Sheriff Archie Carter.
Gladys Carter, murder suspect, clutching a handkerchief in a courtroom. Carter was charged with fatally shooting her houseguest of two years, Frances Walker. She suspected Walker of having a romantic relationship with her husband, Deputy Sheriff Archie Carter.
Choreographer and film director Busby Berkeley being carried into his manslaughter trial on a stretcher. Busby was on trial for manslaughter after he was involved in a car crash where two women, Ada von Briesen and Peggy Daley, died.
21-year-old Louis Rude Payne (right) with District Attorney Buron Fitts at an inquest about Payne's confessed murder of his mother and younger brother with an ax.
21-year-old Louis Rude Payne (right) with District Attorney Buron Fitts at an inquest about Payne's confessed murder of his mother and younger brother with an ax.
Screenshot from a film used by the prosecution at the murder trial of DeWitt Clinton Cook. The film showed Cook (right) re-enacting his murder of dancer Anya Sosoyeva, who he hit on the head with a 2x4. Cook willingly confessed to the murder, as well as the assaults of two other women, Delia Bogard and Myrtle Wagner. This was the first time sound motion pictures were used during a trial in California history. The trial was also considered very unusual because Cook never denied the murder, personally offer a not guilty plea, or put up any defense. Cook was sentenced to death and executed in the San Quentin gas chamber on January 31, 1941, at age 21
Kynette can be seen wearing eyeglasses. Captain of Police Earle E. Kynette was charged with conspiracy to commit murder after the vehicle of Harry J. Raymond was bombed on January 14, 1938. Kynette was in charge of a special police intelligence unit that had been conducting surveillance on Raymond’s home from a nearby bungalow. Before the car bombing, Raymond had been conducting investigative work on Mayor Shaw and his possible connections with illegal gambling. Two other officers, Fred Browne and Roy J. Allen, connected with the intelligence unit were also charged with conspiracy to commit murder. However, Fred Browne was eventually acquitted. Kynette and Allen were both found guilty.
Kynette can be seen wearing eyeglasses. Captain of Police Earle E. Kynette was charged with conspiracy to commit murder after the vehicle of Harry J. Raymond was bombed on January 14, 1938. Kynette was in charge of a special police intelligence unit that had been conducting surveillance on Raymond’s home from a nearby bungalow. Before the car bombing, Raymond had been conducting investigative work on Mayor Shaw and his possible connections with illegal gambling. Two other officers, Fred Browne and Roy J. Allen, connected with the intelligence unit were also charged with conspiracy to commit murder. However, Fred Browne was eventually acquitted. Kynette and Allen were both found guilty.
Kynette can be seen wearing eyeglasses. Captain of Police Earle E. Kynette was charged with conspiracy to commit murder after the vehicle of Harry J. Raymond was bombed on January 14, 1938. Kynette was in charge of a special police intelligence unit that had been conducting surveillance on Raymond’s home from a nearby bungalow. Before the car bombing, Raymond had been conducting investigative work on Mayor Shaw and his possible connections with illegal gambling. Two other officers, Fred Browne and Roy J. Allen, connected with the intelligence unit were also charged with conspiracy to commit murder. However, Fred Browne was eventually acquitted. Kynette and Allen were both found guilty.
Alexander Sparks, the first husband of Doris Dazey, who was allegedly murdered by her second husband, George Dazey. At the trial, Sparks testified that he had remained friendly with his ex-wife and the two had occupied the same hotel room in 1934. This aided the prosecution's claim that George Dazey had committed murder because he was unsure of the paternity of a boy born to Mrs. Dazey in 1935.
Swiss chauffeur Fred Stettler, accused of the arson murders of Mr. and Mrs. Carl Barbour, showing Det. Lt. Miles Ledbetter (left) and Capt. Bert Wallis of the police homicide squad (center) $34 in silver hidden in a potato sack at Stettler's home. Stettler confessed to stealing the money from the Barbours after murdering them with a heavy object and setting a timing device which would set the bodies on fireNote: text on the nitrate sleeves and handwritten on the negative likely transcribed "Bert Wallis" incorrectly as "Bert Wallace"
Swiss chauffeur Fred Stettler, accused of the arson murders of Mr. and Mrs. Carl Barbour, showing Capt. Bert Wallis of the police homicide (right) squad $34 in silver hidden in a potato sack at Stettler's home. Stettler confessed to stealing the money from the Barbours after murdering them with a heavy object and setting a timing device which would set the bodies on fireNote: text on the nitrate sleeves and handwritten on the negative likely transcribed "Bert Wallis" incorrectly as "Bert Wallace"
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.
Jurors Jackson Collins, Beatrice Hard and Charles M. Traux in court for the murder trial of crossing guard Albert Dyer. Dyer had lured three Inglewood girls into the hills, where he strangled them with rope and his hands. He was eventually found guilty and executed. From left to right, Beatrice Hard, Jackson Collins, and Charles M. Truax.