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
Evidence in the trial of William Edward Hickman, b.1908-d.1928. Hickman was convicted of the kidnapping and murder of 12-year-old Marion Parker. Hickman abducted Parker from her school, claiming her father, a prominent local banker, was in the hospital and had requested to see her. After kidnapping Marion, Hickman sent ransom notes to her family, who agreed to pay a sum of $1500 for her return. However, when her father delivered the money at the agreed-upon time and location, the kidnapper drove off, dumping Marion Parker's dismembered corpse into the street as he fled.A massive manhunt began for Marion's killer. Police pieced together evidence leading them to suspect Hickman, a former employee of the Parker family, who had been arrested due to a complaint by Mr. Parker involving forged checks several years prior. One week after Marion's corpse was discovered, two officers in a coffee shop in Echo, OR recognized Hickman from wanted posters plastered up and down the west coast.Eventually, Hickman confessed to another murder, as well as a dozen armed robberies. Although his lawyers attempted to plead insanity for Hickman, the jury convicted him of murder, and he was sentenced to death. Hickman died by hanging in San Quentin prison in 1928.
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
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
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
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
Key made by Alcatraz inmate Joseph Cretzer in an escape attempt. Cretzer was sentenced to life for murder and sent to Alcatraz in August 1940. He was involved in the bloody standoff known as the "Battle of Alcatraz."
Possibly related to the article, "Mystery Shack, Boys' Shoes Found in 'Death Farm' Hunt: OFFICERS TAKEN TO CANYON HUT Clark Lad Leads Them Also to Filled-up Well Net Being Drawn Closer on Northcott Fugitives Other Clews Being Revealed in Grewsome Case," Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 1928: A2
This photograph is similar to another taken during the Nellie Madison trial captioned, "Accused Widow Rearranges Deathbed in Court," Los Angeles Times, 16 Jun. 1934: 14
George White and Irven Rosenberg are charged with grand theft of Kimo, the American Eskimo dog owned by J. E. and Irene Mighell. Kimo is a $1000 canine film player being trained for show purposes and is now evidence in the case against Rosenberg and White.