INNOCENCE PROJECT SUPPORTS LAST MINUTE PLEA FOR STAY IN TOMORROW'S TEXAS EXECUTION TO ALLOW FOR DNA TESTING

            3.24.08  UPDATE-  SUPREME COURT STAYS TODAY’S TX EXECUTION SEE STORY                          ” The Innocence Project doesn’t represent Skinner, and we don’t know whether he is guilty or innocent. It is clear, however, that DNA testing should be conducted in Skinner’s case before he is executed.”                                                                                                   The Innocence Project   Texas Execution Set for Tomorrow…

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"The Blue Dahlia" – Was the 1946 Paramount film the real inspiration for Elizabeth Short’s Noir Sobriquet?

Just don’t get too complicated, Eddie. When a guy gets complicated he’s unhappy. And when he’s unhappy–his luck runs out…                                                                     –Raymond Chandler, The Blue Dahlia         Alan Ladd and Femme Fatale Veronica Lake in The Blue Dahlia  (1946) Q: Was the noir-film, The Blue Dahlia the inspiration for naming Elizabeth Short, “The Black Dahlia”? A: While…

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LEFT COAST CRIME "BOOKED IN LA" OPENS

             March 11, 2010, Los Angeles                                                                              LEFT COAST CRIME’s annual convention opened yesterday at the Omni Hotel, at 2nd & Olive in downtown Los Angeles. The annual four day convention brings together mystery writers and readers from across the nation. This year’s Guest Of Honor is Jan Burke, an Edgar Award winner in the Best…

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1968 Hollywood 8-year-old Victim Testifies at Alcala Penalty Phase Hearing

“I’m sorry for my despicable behavior.”                                                                                    Rodney Alcala  (Above statement was reportedly made to victim, Tali Shapiro in today’s court hearing for raping and attempting to murder her when she was 8-years-old.) Tali Shapiro, now age 48, testified before the jury today at the penalty phase hearing which will decide whether convicted serial-killer, Rodney Alcala…

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LAPD Historical Society Artifacts on Display in Las Vegas Mar 3-4

LAPD Historical Society Museum artifacts spanning 100 years will be on display at the annual CHIA (California Homicide Investigators Association) Training Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada. The exhibit will be open to the public just two days,  March 3 – 4.  Click on below LAPDHS link for details and article, Homicides in LA History, written by…

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Los Angeles' FBI Agent-In-Charge Introduces Black Dahlia Killer to Law Enforcement Conference four years before the Murder of Elizabeth Short

  FBI Chief Special Agent Richard Hood seen at function in May, 1951 just one month after George Hodel fled the U.S. to avoid being arrested as the prime suspect in the Black Dahlia murder. DA taped transcripts record George Hodel admitting to the murder, making law enforcement payoffs and informing Baron Harringa that he was contacted by the…

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A Meeting with Baron von Harringa

                                                          “The Baron”  Baron Ernst von Harringa circa 1940s                                  (photo courtesy of grandson, Baron von Harringa)                            Baron von Harringa (his given name) is the grandson of Ernst von Harringa. Baron is a handsome young man of just 18-years. He too is looking for answers.    We met for breakfast in mid-January at my favorite deli in Studio City. Both of us were there with…

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