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"
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.
Fire fighters with a hose on the night of an explosion at the Golden State Fireworks and Display Co. plant at Redondo Beach (Feb. 7, 1940). The blast was felt 40 miles away, injured four, and caused damage to many nearby homes. Cause of the explosion was suspected to be decomposing firework shells, or possibly a gopher chewing on powder. Damages estimated at $100,000
Private detective Pearl Antibus appears in court with her daughter Norma Thelan and son Robert Antibus during her trial against millionaire Thomas W. Warner, Sr. Thomas Warner, Jr. sits next to the Antibus family. Mrs. Antibus sued Mr. Warner after her home was raided by Buron Fitts and several of his deputies at the request of Mr. Warner. The raid of Mrs. Antibus' home was conducted in order to search for Mr. Warner's son, Thomas W. Warner, Jr. Mr. Warner, Jr. was found hiding inside the home with his girlfriend Mrs. Jean MacDonald. The pair had been hiding in the home from Mr. Warner, Sr. who was opposed to their relationship and was seeking to end all contact between the pair. Mrs. Antibus served as a private detective for Mr. Warner, Jr. and had previously conducted an investigation into the life of Mrs. MacDonald in attempt to determine whether she was truly in love with Mr. Warner, Jr. Mrs. Antibus alleged that the raid left several of her visitors injured and was unnecessarily violent.
Deputy Sheriff Bess Bailey escorts Betty Flay Hardaker through the courtroom during the inquest conducted by Deputy Coroner Frank Monfort. Mrs. Hardaker was convicted of murdering her 5 year old daugher, Geraldine Hardaker, in a Montebello park washroom. The jury convicted her of committing the crime while of unsound mind.
Charles Hardaker at the inquest for his wife, Betty Flay Hardaker, who was accused of murdering their 5 year old daugther. Charles Hardaker went before a jury and Police Judge Paul G. McIver to testify about his wife's mental state. He told of many quarrels, seperations, and suicide attempts. Betty Hardaker was convicted of murdering her 5 year old daughter, Geraldine Hardaker, in a Montebello park washroom. The jury convicted her of committing the crime while of unsound mind.
Betty Flay Hardaker sits at the Los Angeles County Jail wearing boots, trousers, and a sport jacket. Mrs. Hardaker was convicted of murdering her 5 year old daughter, Geraldine Hardaker, in a Montebello park washroom. The jury convicted her of committing the crime while of unsound mind.