Detective Lieutenant Ray Giese and Los Angeles County District Attorney Buron Fitts examine soiled clothing possibly owned by Thomas Edward Dugger. Dugger, known as "Ape Man", was convicted of eleven felonies related to the robbery, kidnapings, and assault of three women. Dugger was indicted on April 4, 1935 and sentenced to death by the Supreme Court on February 18, 1936.
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.
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.
Albert Dyer and his lawyers William Neeley and Ellery Cuff at Dyer's murder trial. Dyer lured three Inglewood girls to the hills, where he strangled them to death with his hands as well as rope. From left to right is Albert Dyer and public defenders Neeley and Cuff.
Robert S. James standing between two unidentified men 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.
Robert S. James standing between two unidentified men 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.
Robert S. James standing between two unidentified men 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.
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.
Robert S. James standing between two unidentified men 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.
A view of the courtroom in which Albert Dyer's murder trial began. Dyer lured three Inglewood girls to the hills, where he strangled them to death with his hands as well as rope. From left to right is Chief Deputy District Attorney William Simpson, Chief Investigator Eugene Williams, Public Defender William Neeley, Albert Dyer, and Public Defender Ellery Cuff.
A view of the courtroom in which Albert Dyer's murder trial began. Dyer lured three Inglewood girls to the hills, where he strangled them to death with his hands as well as rope. From left to right is Chief Deputy District Attorney William Simpson, Chief Investigator Eugene Williams, Public Defender William Neeley, Albert Dyer, and Public Defender Ellery Cuff.
Public defender Ellery Cuff indicating a point on a map at his client Albert Dyer's murder trial. Dyer lured three Inglewood girls to the hills, where he strangled them to death with his hands as well as rope. Albert Dyer is seated wearing a white shirt.
A view of the courtroom in which Albert Dyer's murder trial began. Dyer lured three Inglewood girls to the hills, where he strangled them to death with his hands as well as rope. From left to right is Chief Deputy District Attorney William Simpson, Chief Investigator Eugene Williams, Public Defender William Neeley, and Albert Dyer. Public Defender Ellery Cuff is standing.
A view of the courtroom in which Albert Dyer's murder trial began. Dyer lured three Inglewood girls to the hills, where he strangled them to death with his hands as well as rope. From left to right is Chief Deputy District Attorney William Simpson, Chief Investigator Eugene Williams, Public Defender William Neeley, Albert Dyer, and Public Defender Ellery Cuff.
Public defender William Neeley conferring with his colleague Ellery Cuff in court at their client Albert Dyer's murder trial. Dyer lured three Inglewood girls to the hills, where he strangled them to death with his hands as well as rope. From left to right is Albert Dyer and public defenders Neeley and Cuff.
A view of the courtroom in which Albert Dyer's murder trial began. Dyer lured three Inglewood girls to the hills, where he strangled them to death with his hands as well as rope. From left to right is Chief Deputy District Attorney William Simpson, Chief Investigator Eugene Williams, Public Defender William Neeley, and Albert Dyer. Public Defender Ellery Cuff is standing.
Child-murderer Albert Dyer and his public defenders William Neeley and Ellery Cuff in court at Dyer's trial. Dyer lured three Inglewood girls to the hills, where he strangled them to death with his hands as well as rope. From left to right, Albert Dyer, Neeley, and Cuff.
Public defender Ellery Cuff indicating a point on a map at his client Albert Dyer's murder trial. Dyer lured three Inglewood girls to the hills, where he strangled them to death with his hands as well as rope. Albert Dyer is seated wearing a white shirt.
Public defender Ellery Cuff indicating a point on a map at his client Albert Dyer's murder trial. Dyer lured three Inglewood girls to the hills, where he strangled them to death with his hands as well as rope. Albert Dyer is seated wearing a white shirt.
Public defender Ellery Cuff indicating a point on a map at his client Albert Dyer's murder trial. Dyer lured three Inglewood girls to the hills, where he strangled them to death with his hands as well as rope. Albert Dyer is seated wearing a white shirt.
Attempted murder suspect Lorraine Hewitt sits between detectives Aldo Corsini and Thad Brown. Hewitt had shot her boyfriend Joseph Walsh at a dinner party in front of numerous witnesses. Walsh refused to name her as the shooter, and was charged with perjury.
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 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.
Robert S. James standing between two unidentified men 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.
Robert S. James standing between two unidentified men 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.
George Wallace (alias Robert M. Nixon) with U.S. Marshal William S. Sweeney. Wallace is accused of blackmailing lawyer and horse owner Neil S. McCarthy. McCarthy received four letters, allegedly from Wallace, threatening to maim his race horses with poisoned-needle darts if he didn’t pay up. Wallace testified that he had written the letters, but he had been acting on behalf of a gang of “tough eggs” that were behind the scheme.
George Wallace (alias Robert M. Nixon) with U.S. Marshal William S. Sweeney. Wallace is accused of blackmailing lawyer and horse owner Neil S. McCarthy. McCarthy received four letters, allegedly from Wallace, threatening to maim his race horses with poisoned-needle darts if he didn’t pay up. Wallace testified that he had written the letters, but he had been acting on behalf of a gang of “tough eggs” that were behind the scheme.
George Wallace (alias Robert M. Nixon) with U.S. Marshal William S. Sweeney. Wallace is accused of blackmailing lawyer and horse owner Neil S. McCarthy. McCarthy received four letters, allegedly from Wallace, threatening to maim his race horses with poisoned-needle darts if he didn’t pay up. Wallace testified that he had written the letters, but he had been acting on behalf of a gang of “tough eggs” that were behind the scheme.
Ex-sailor Charles H. Hope in court with public defender William H. Sanson for his joint trial with Robert S. James. Hope aided James in the murder of Mary Emma James, by supplying deadly rattlesnakes for James and then helping him carry his wife's body outside and into a fish pool. From left to right, William H. Sanson, Charles H. Hope.
Robert S. James (left) and Charles H. Hope, seated in the center of the front row. Both men are accused in some capacity of the murder of James's wife, Mary Busch James, by subjecting her to rattlesnake bites and drowning her. Also pictured is Mike Allen (back right), owner of the Ocean Park Pier reptile pit, one of the locations James and Hope shopped for rattlesnakes.
Ex-sailor Charles H. Hope entering court for his joint trial with Robert S. James. Hope aided James in the murder of Mary Emma James, by supplying deadly rattlesnakes for James and then helping him carry his wife's body outside and into a fish pool. He was defended by Deputy Public Defender William H. Sanson.
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 on the witness stand with a map of his house 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.
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.
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.
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.
Robert S. James standing between two unidentified men 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.
Robert S. James standing between two unidentified men 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.
A view of the courtroom in which Albert Dyer's murder trial begins. Dyer lured three Inglewood girls to the hills, where he strangled them to death with his hands as well as rope. From left to right is Chief Deputy District Attorney William Simpson, Chief Investigator Eugene Williams, Public Defender William Neeley, Albert Dyer, and Public Defender Ellery Cuff.
Raymond E. Johnson, confessed murderer of young dancer Midi Takaoko. Johnson became jealous after Takaoko began seeing another man. After stabbing her new lover, William J. Bachand, with an ice pick, Johnson came to Takaoko's home and cut her throat with a butcher knife.
Raymond E. Johnson, confessed murderer of young dancer Midi Takaoko. Johnson became jealous after Takaoko began seeing another man. After stabbing her new lover, William J. Bachand, with an ice pick, Johnson came to Takaoko's home and cut her throat with a butcher knife.
Raymond E. Johnson, confessed murderer of young dancer Midi Takaoko. Johnson became jealous after Takaoko began seeing another man. After stabbing her new lover, William J. Bachand, with an ice pick, Johnson came to Takaoko's home and cut her throat with a butcher knife.
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.
Detective Lieutenant Ray Giese, Los Angeles County District Attorney Buron Fitts, and two unidentified men examine the hands of Thomas Edward Dugger. Dugger, known as "Ape Man", was convicted of eleven felonies related to the robbery, kidnapings, and assault of three women. Dugger was indicted on April 4, 1935 and sentenced to death by the Supreme Court on February 18, 1936.
Detective Lieutenant Leroy Sanderson escorts Thomas Edward Dugger. Dugger, known as "Ape Man", was convicted of eleven felonies related to the robbery, kidnapings, and assault of three women. Dugger was indicted on April 4, 1935 and sentenced to death by the Supreme Court on February 18, 1936.
Ann Forst shields her face from the press and sits with an unidentified man at the county jail. Forst was indicted for operating a forced prostitution ring that covered 11 states including California, Arizona, Washington, and Nevada. The FBI estimated that more than 200 women were victims of the "white slave ring", as termed by the press.