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.
Pete Schneider on trial for manslaughter on May 16, 1935. Schneider was accused of causing the death of G.A. Schnabel in a beer parlor fight on February 17, 1935. Peter Joseph Schneider, known as Pete Schneider (August 20, 1895 - June 1, 1957) was a starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Cincinnati Reds (1914-1918) and New York Yankees (1919). He was born in Los Angeles, California.
District attorney Buron Fitts and his sister Mrs. Berthal Gregory appear with their attorneys Joseph Scott and Jerry Giesler to contend the charges of perjury brought against them by the grand jury. From left to right, standing, Buron Fitts, Joseph Scott, Mrs. Berthal Gregory, and Jerry Giesler.
District Attorney Buron Fitts meets with his advisors over the charges of perjury brought against him by the grand jury. From left to right in the front sits Buron Fitts and attorney Joseph Scott, and in the back stand attorneys Jerry Giesler, Jack Gilchrist, and Harold Judson.
Jury foreman John P. Buckley at the Los Angeles County Grandy Jury trial where District Attorney Buron Fitts was indicted on charges of perjury and bribery.
Detectives Miles Ledbetter and Thad Brown question Edward E. Holmes over the unexpected murder of his wife Mrs. Celia L. Holmes. From left to right, Miles Ledbetter, Edward E. Holmes, and Thad Brown.
William F. Gettle, kidnapping victim, is reunited with his four children (twins Betty and Bobby, and sons Billy and Jimmy) upon his homecoming.Gettle, Beverly Hills millionaire and businessman, was kidnapped from the grounds of his Arcadia ranch home during a party on the eve of May 9th. The kidnapping attracted a great deal of attention in the community, with Mrs. Gettle even addressing the kidnappers through the pages of the Los Angeles Times. The kidnappers demanded a $60,000 ransom for the return of Gettle, which Mrs. Gettle agreed to pay. However, before the ransom was paid, two detectives of the LAPD, Chester Burris and H.P. Gearhardt, broke the case after installing a dictaphone in the home of a bank robbery suspect. Information from the dictaphone led them to a La Crescenta home where Gettle was held. He was returned, unharmed, to his family on the eve of May 14th.
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.
Frank E. Walker, father of murder victim Frances Walker, sits in a crowded room. The young woman to his left is probably Melba Walker, Frances's sister. Her murder was connected to an affair with former deputy Sheriff Archie Carter.
Louis Payne covers his face with his hands and his hankerchief at his inquest, with father Lucius F. Payne at his side.Louis Rude Payne, 21 years of age, used a camping axe to kill his mother, Carrie L. Payne, and 15-year-old brother Robert in their Westwood mansion home. Louis R. Payne turned himself in for the killings of his mother and brother four to five days after their deaths, at a Huntington Beach police station. When he turned himself in, detectives found on his person both a letter and a telegram addressed to his father Lucius Payne, a St. Louis businessman, confessing to the crime, apologizing for his actions, and explaning that he did not know what impulse it was that drove him to the murders.Payne was convicted of the two murders, but found to be insane at the time of the crimes. He was confined to psychiatric treatment at the Mendocino State Hospital at Talmadge, in Mendocino County, CA. His father stood by him throughout his trial and conviction.
The kidnappers of William F. Gettle plead guilty to his abduction. From left to right standing between their lawyers, they are Roy A. Williams, Larry Kerrigan (real name Loren W. Feltus) and James F. Kirk. Gettle, wealthy Beverly Hills businessman, was kidnapped from the grounds of his Arcadia ranch home during a housewarming party on the eve of May 9th. The kidnapping attracted a great deal of attention in the community, with Mrs. Gettle even addressing the kidnappers through the pages of the Los Angeles Times. The kidnappers demanded a $60,000 ransom for the return of Gettle, which Mrs. Gettle agreed to pay. However, before the ransom was paid, two detectives of the LAPD, Chester Burris and H.P. Gearhardt, broke the case after installing a dictaphone in the home of a bank robbery suspect. Information from the dictaphone led them to a La Crescenta home where Gettle was held. He was returned, unharmed, to his family on the eve of May 14th.
William F. Gettle's three kidnappers, Larry Kerrigan (center left, in dark hat), James F. Kirk (at Kerrigan's left) and Roy A. Williams (at Williams' left) leave the Los Angeles County court house. The trio had pled guilty to the kidnapping of William F. Gettle, wealthy Beverly Hills businessman, and received life sentences at San Quentin penitentiary. However, they were then charged with the crime of attempted extortion through the mails. If convicted of said crime, they would lose the possibility of parole. May 28, 1934.
Photographs of businessman and millionaire William F. Gettle, likely used in relation to his kidnapping case of May 9-14, 1934. Gettle was kidnapped from the grounds of his Arcadia ranch home during a party on the eve of May 9th. The kidnapping attracted a great deal of attention in the community, with Mrs. Gettle even addressing the kidnappers through the pages of the Los Angeles Times. The kidnappers demanded a $60,000 ransom for the return of Gettle, which Mrs. Gettle agreed to pay. However, before the ransom was paid, two detectives of the LAPD, Chester Burris and H.P. Gearhardt, broke the case after installing a dictaphone in the home of a bank robbery suspect. Information from the dictaphone led them to a La Crescenta home where Gettle was held. He was returned, unharmed, to his family on the eve of May 14th.
Herman E. Hubler and his wife Anna L. Hubler, who are accused of involvement in a theater bank night fraud scandal. The couple convinced numerous community theaters to use their 14-year-old daughter Blanche, known as Goldilocks, to pull the winning ticket in the bank night lottery. Goldilocks would palm a fake ticket and the winner would be one of the Hubler's accomplices, Alexander Szymanski or Roy Keown. The defendants admitted to winning thousands of dollars through the scandal.
Herman E. Hubler and his wife Anna L. Hubler, who are accused of involvement in a theater bank night fraud scandal. The couple convinced numerous community theaters to use their 14-year-old daughter Blanche, known as Goldilocks, to pull the winning ticket in the bank night lottery. Goldilocks would palm a fake ticket and the winner would be one of the Hubler's accomplices, Alexander Szymanski or Roy Keown. The defendants admitted to winning thousands of dollars through the scandal.
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.
Jurors Dorothy Deel and Winifred W. Howard 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 is Dorothy Deel and Winifred W. Howard, and an unidentified man to the extreme right.
Juror James D. Kelly 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.
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.
Pearl Antibus can be seen on the other side of the beam. Mrs. Antibus sued Mr. Warner, Sr. after her home was raided by Buron Fitts and several of his deputies at the request of Mr. Warner, Sr. 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.
Mrs. Antibus is hidden behind a beam. 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.
Detective Lieutenants B.G. Anderson and Tommy Bryan from the homicide division investigating the murder of soldier Lawrence G. Marple. The man being held for the murder is discharged Navy officer Jack Rhyanne, who admitted to beating and choking Marple in his hotel room. Rhyanne is also being questioned about the earlier murder of Robert M. Byrne
Detective Lieutenants B.G. Anderson and Tommy Bryan from the homicide division investigating the murder of soldier Lawrence G. Marple. The man being held for the murder is discharged Navy officer Jack Rhyanne, who admitted to beating and choking Marple in his hotel room. Rhyanne is also being questioned about the earlier murder of Robert M. Byrne
Lucius Payne at the inquest for his son, Louis Rude Payne, who confessed to murdering his mother and younger brother with an ax. Lucius was supportive of his son at the inquest.
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.