anaheim-bulletin 1955-07-22

Murder Charge Faces Child-Slayer Suspect BERKELEY, Calif. — Authorities believed today they have enough evidence to warrant filing a first degree murder charge against Burton W. Abbott for the kidnap-slaying of 14-year-old Stephanie Bryan. Filing of the formal complaint, required under California law, follows yesterday's action by Alameda County authorities of changing the original booking charge from investigation of murder to one of straight murder. J. Frank Coakley, Alameda County district attorney, indicated he will file the charges sometime today and present the case to the grand jury for an indictment next Monday or Tuesday. Abbott, 27, a tubercular accounting student and father of a 4-year-old boy, still denied he was the man who strangled and beat Stephanie to death at a remote Trinity County cabin in far northern California on April 28. He admitted he was at the cabin on the date. He said he went alone at nightfall to the Wildwood Inn to have a drink. But Coakley said the bartender, Delbert Cox, denied this and said Abbott was in his place the night of April 29. In fact, Cox told Coakley he particularly remembered the day because he was struck by the fact that Abbott was drinking a lot of whisky instead of his usual beer. Alibi Broken "That knocks Abbott's alibi right out the window," Coakley said. Stephanie's body was found in a shallow grave Wednesday night about 200 yards from the cabin. It was badly decomposed, but it was identified through the teeth, color of the hair and clothing. Dr. George Loquvam, Alameda county pathologist, went to the HELD AS SUSPECT—Burton W. Abbott, University of California student, after he was charged with murder in the Stephanie Bryan case. He r body was found near a cabin owned by the Abbott family in Trinity County, Calif. Mackenzie, Avas Sentenced After Probation Denied SANTA ANA (OCNS)—Suspended district liquor Boss H. E. MacKenzie and ex-Santa Ana bar owner George Avas today were under sentence to prison for concurrent terms prescribed by law after their conviction on conspiracy and bribery charges. Superior Court Judge Kenneth F. Morrison yesterday denied all motions aimed at upsetting the verdicts returned by a jury in his court. He also turned down a probation move by both defendants. The judge continued the defendants in $5000 bail each when Attorneys Otto Jacobs and Samuel Hurwitz said they would file appeals. MacKenzie and Avas were found guilty of taking on-sale general liquor license payoffs from Jack Kennedy, Costa Mesa bar owner, and Ross Gray, Capistrano Hotel operator. The shakedowns totaled $15,500. MacKenzie was convicted of one count of conspiracy and two of bribery. Avas was judged guilty of one conspiracy charge and one of bribery. Terms on all counts are 1 to 14-years. The defense attorneys argued the prosecution illegally obtained evidence by planting a recording device on co-defendant Mickey Jones and will base their appeal mainly on that grounds. MacKenzie and Avas now join Ray Adams as the only ones convicted in the Orange County Grand Jury probe of asserted liquor license irregularities. Harbor Area Rocked That knocks Abbott's alibi right out the window," Coakley said. Stephanie's body was found in a shallow grave Wednesday night about 200 yards from the cabin. It was badly decomposed, but it was identified through the teeth, color of the hair and clothing. Dr. George Loquvam, Alameda county pathologist, went to the scene to make a post-mortem. He had the body removed to a Redding Mortuary. After his examination, Loquvam said: "Death could have been caused by a skull fracture. I found multiple depressed fractures. She was struck on the back of the head, either with a dull, two-pronged instrument, or twice with a single instrument. "Death could have been caused by strangulation. There was a knotted cloth around her throat." He said it was impossible to tell whether the girl had been sexually molested. Several questions still remained unanswered. Where was Stephanie slain? What was the death weapon? Physically Impossible Abbott's wife, Georgia, 32, insisted her husband was innocent because it would have been "physically impossible" for him to have made the 200-yard uphill climb from the cabin, dragging the body of a 105-pound victim. "He is so weak that he can't lift or even play with his son, Chris, who weighs around 40 pounds," he said, "So how, in heaven's name, could a sick, 130-pound man have handled the body of that girl" While in the Army, Abbott was stricken with double pneumonia which later developed into tuberculosis. One lung and five ribs were removed five years ago in an attempt to halt the disease. He is still under treatment. Carlton Heston Due To Appear Here Monday Carlton Heston, male lead in the Anaheim made motion picture, "The Private War of Major Bennett" said he would appear at the special benefit performance for the Father William A Maguire that Abbott was drinking a lot of whiskey instead of his usual beer. Alibi Broken "That knocks Abbott's alibi right out the window," Coakley said. Stephanie's body was found in a shallow grave Wednesday night about 200 yards from the cabin. It was badly decomposed, but it was identified through the teeth, color of the hair and clothing. Dr. George Loquvam, Alameda county pathologist, went to the scene to make a post-mortem. He had the body removed to a Redding Mortuary. After his examination, Loquvam said: "Death could have been caused by a skull fracture. I found multiple depressed fractures. She was struck on the back of the head, either with a dull, two-pronged instrument, or twice with a single instrument. "Death could have been caused by strangulation. There was a knotted cloth around her throat." He said it was impossible to tell whether the girl had been sexually molested. Several questions still remained unanswered. Where was Stephanie slain? What was the death weapon? Prize: directed by Holiday Tours, Inc., 206 West 6th street, Los Angeles, is an all-expense tour for two by steamer to Acapulco, to Mexico City by plane and home by plane with 16-days of sumptious lieure in the finest hotels and the best restaurants. The second numbers drawn in the last two drawings have been winners of the Gift-O-Rama, when holders of the first numbers drawn did not appear to claim the prize. Watch Saturday's Bulletin for the winning number. Suspect in Local Murder Granted Fifth Continuance SANTA ANA (OCNS)—There was a new switch today in the ever-changing court processing of Fullerton truck driver Vernon Edward Richardson, 42, on a first degree murder charge. Up for arraignment on the accusation he shot his father-in-law Silvanus "Ed" Anderson, 78, to death in Northeast Anaheim home Richardson for the fifth time go a continuance. Superior Court Judge John Shee said he received a telephone call from Richardson's new attorney Richard Irwin, asking for deferral of arraignment to July 29. Irwin also informed Judge Shee he wanted to argue a motion to set aside the charge on the new arraignment date. The judge complied. Last Friday Richardson entered pleas of innocent and innocent by reason of insanity. At that time he was represented by Attorney Al Matthews and I. Stephen Brent After the pleas were registered Matthews and Brent withdrew from the case. The Public Defender was appointed by Superior Court Judge Franklin West when it was deemed Richardson lacked funds to hire his attorney. The innocent pleas were yanked and arraignment continued to today. Durin, the week Richardson lined up in Irwin Harbor Area Rocked By Gas Plant Blast LONG BEACH (UP)—An explosion early today rocked the harbor area and ignited a butane-propane-fired fire that destroyed the Wilmington Gasoline Co. absorption plant on Terminal Island. Five men narrowly escaped injury. The men were working in the plant when the blast occurred, but ran to safety before flames engulfed the building. Sailors at a nearby Navy base barracks were routed from their beds by the explosion. Carlton Heston Due To Appear Here Monday Carlton Heston, male lead in the Anaheim made motion picture, "The Private War of Major Bennett" said he would appear at the special benefit performance for the Father William A. Maguire Memorial Chapel, here, Monday at 8:30 p.m. With Heston will be a galaxy of stars of movies, radio and television as well as community and Orange County leaders. Downtown Anaheim will be bright and active with evening shoppers Monday when local merchants will remain open until 9 in honor of the benefit first showing of the motion picture made mostly on the grounds of St. Catherine's Military School. Mrs. Abbott is also an ex-tubercular. They met in a hospital. NEWS OF THE WORLD IN BRIEF SAMMY DAVIS JR. SUES HUSH HUSH MAGAZINE HOLLYWOOD — Nightclub entertainer Sammy Davis Jr., sought $3,500,000 damages today in a suit against Hush-Hush magazine, charging it implied he had an intimate relationship with an actress. EL PASO, JUAREZ FLOOD WATERS RECEDE Flood waters receded today from the stricken border towns of El Paso, Tex., and Juarez, Mex., and the threat of more heavy rains appeared to be past. But before they had gone, the rains left one person dead, several missing and more than 11,000 others flooded out of their homes. SAY INCOMPETENT TRANSLATORS WITH RUSS GROUP AMES, Iowa — A top government interpreter sped here today following assertions that the State Department had bungled by assigning incompetent translators to a visiting Soviet farm delegation. HEAD OF PERONISTA PARTY RESIGNS BUENOS AIRES — The chairman of Argentina's Peronista party, Rear Adm. Alberto Telsaire ret., announced his resignation today, as part of a general party re-organization which he said would be completed before the end of the month. Several other party leaders announced their resignations yesterday. BANK DEBITS Bank debits yesterday totaled $89,042.16, according to a compilation made today by local banks. Anaheim Bu EST. 1923 Orange County Plain Dealer TEEN PAGES IN TWO PARTS FIVE CENTS CHALLENGE STU ing Tonight for O-Rama Prize ship to Mexico Gift-O-Rama drawing night. Lovells Music is the location, and the will take place at 7 with the former Miss him, Barbara Shimel, ing the numbers. The directed by Holiday Inc., 206 West 6th Los Angeles, is an seance tour for two by er to Acapulco, to City by plane and by plane with 16-days omptious lieure in the hotels and the best grants, the second numbers in the last two drawhave been winners of Ike's Offen Secrets Su GENEVA —Preside trade arms secrets with R ule of the Big Four summe parenty because the Russe The meeting of heads New Mystery Merch Award Begins Mono Mystery Merchant's J pot will be initiated Monday when local M chants observe Anahei first Monday evening sh ping. Stores will be open BEATING THE HEAT—Most Anaheimers have their own methods of beating the present heat wave but two-year-old Brendan Sullivan believes you can't beat the wading pool at City Park as a cooling-off measure. Brendan is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Sullivan, 412 West Elm. (Bulletin Photo) Claim Probe of Talbott Still On Despite Offer to Resign From Firm By HERBERT FOSTER United Press Staff Correspondent WASHINGTON — Sen. John L. McClennan said today the investigation of Air Force Secretary Harold E. Talbott's business connection is "still open" despite Talbott's offer to leave the firm. McClellan D-Ark. said his Senate Investigating Subcommittee will meet soon to consider testimony in which the dapper secretary denied he used his Pentagon post to promote his business. Woman Hurt Running Through Glass Door FULLERTON (OCNS)—A Fullerton housewife was taken to Orange County Hospital last night with severe lacerations incurred when she ran through a sliding glass door. Police reported Renee Kay, 900 S. Brookhurst; sustained several injuries. New Mystery Merchant Award Begins Monsoon Mystery Merchant's pot will be initiated Monday when local merchants observe Anaheim first Monday evening shopping. Stores will be open til 9 p.m. Mystery Merchant's pot is an easy way to eat as much as $35 by simply shopping on Monday evening in any Mystery Merchant's store. Sometime during the evening between 6 and 9 Mystery Merchant representative will come onto street, approach the lupe person and tell him that he can produce a sales or sales slips from Mystery Merchant's stores for $5 more he can qualify for cash prize running from to $35. If his sales slips total less than $5 he can still qualify for half the prize. The person selected will be given the choice of three envelopes containing certificates for different amounts. Mercury Drops, Humidity Climbs The heat slipped off its long blistering level in the to drop today to 77 degrees noon, but the humidity climbed 7 per cent above yesterday reading of 60 at the same Reading was 67 per cent at noon. Yesterday's maximum temperature was 86 degrees at 2 with a minimum of 60 degree early in the morning. Scattered afternoon thunderstorms covered the mountains and interior section of South California today but elsewhere generally fair and cooler weather was reported. Thundershower activity tended from the San Bernardino mountains southward. Precautionary measures were taken. Woman Hurt Running Through Glass Door FULLERTON (OCNS)—A Fullerton housewife was taken to Orange County Hospital last night with severe lacerations incurred when she ran through a sliding glass door. Police reported Renee Kay, 900 S. Brookhurst; sustained several large lacerations including severe cuts on her left forearm and above the right knee. When police arrived at the home shortly after 10 p.m., they found the victim on the living room floor. Before an ambulance arrived, she had lost a pint of blood and police aided with a tourniquet which a neighbor had applied. An interview with the victim and her husband revealed she had been in her back yard and ran inside the house. Thinking the sliding door was open, she ran through it, showering herself with broken slivers of glass. Nab Burglary Suspect In Anaheim Home A young El Toro-based Marine is in City Jail today on a charge of suspicion of attempted burglary. He was nabbed by Anaheim police at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Harmon Godfrey, 1628 E. Broadway at about 1 a.m. today following a call from Mrs. Godfrey. She told police that the suspect had walked from behind a door in her children's bedroom, looked at her and said, "Boo!" Police reports state that Eugene Godfrey then entered the room to find what was going on and the man identified himself as "Dick Johnson". He claimed to have been looking for a friend named "Van Johnson," but said obviously he was in the wrong house. Investigation by local officers revealed that the man was Marine Pvt. Albert Flecher, 18. Public Hearing The subcommittee speedily held an impromptu public hearing at Talbott's request after publication of photostats and excerpts from its files. The letters were from Talbott and dealt with Mulligan & Co.'s business. Talbott said he never used his official position to solicit business for the partnership, though he admitted he might have spoken to a number of his old friends, those he knew on a first name basis, among corporation executives about the clerical surveys Mulligan & Co. conducts for large firms. Air Force General Counsel John A. Johnson refused to discuss with a reporter a portion of Talbott's testimony concerning him. Talbott said he talked with Johnson about the refusal of the giant Radio Corporation of America to renew its Mulligan contract without approval of the attorney general. Special Partner The secretary swore he had not violated the letter or spirit of his statement to the Senate Armed Services Committee in 1933, when he said he had divested himself of his other corporate connections in order to win confirmation. He said he told Senators then that he would retain his interest as a "special partner" in the Mulligan firm. Talbott told the committee he and his partner, Mulligan, agreed that if the firm ever served a client whose business was "predominantly" Air Force contracts, the profits would be segregated and Talbott would get no part of them. Yesterday's maximum temperature was 86 degrees at 22 with a minimum of 60 degrees early in the morning. Scattered afternoon thunder storms covered the mount and interior section of South California today but elsewhere generally fair and cooler weather was reported. Thundershower activity tended from the San Bernardino mountains southward. Precaution was expected to be carefully less than from this which hit the area earlier in week. A cloud burst caused a mer flash flood that closed a way 395, three miles north Leevining, near Mono Thursday afternoon, causing damage estimated at about 1000, but State Highway off stated that apparently no damage was injured. Coastal cloudiness again ered the immediate coast during the early morning hours but skies cleared by mid-morning and gentle variable winds reported from Point Concepcio to San Diego. Temperatures shot up to Thursday in El Centro, 10 Blythe and Needles and Springs reported 104. The had 104, Daggett, 102 and kersfield, 100. Thriftymart Market Slated to Locate Here City Building Inspector, mer Wallace announced morning that Thriftymart poration arrived in his office to check plans today. The large, grocery con Wallace said, is drawing for a large structure in the neyland vicinity, on the n west corner of Harbor and tella. The building will be feet by 177 feet and will be structured at a cost of $240,000. Bulletin Anaheim Daily-Herald ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA, FRIDAY, JULY 22, 1955 STUNS RUSS ke's Offer to Swap Arms secrets Surprises Reds GENEVA — President Eisenhower's sudden proposal toade arms secrets with Russia threw the smooth running schedule of the Big Four summit conference out of kilter today, apparently because the Russians needed more time to think it over. The meeting of heads of government opened an hour after its scheduled starting time. It had been delayed to give the Big Four foreign ministers more than to complete their report to the summit. The ministers met twice in advance of the summit meeting and once recessed briefly while Soviet Foreign Minister V. M. Molotov returned to his delegation's headquarters for consultations. Eisenhower Leaving New Mystery Merchant Award Begins Monday Mystery Merchant's Jackpot will be initiated this Monday when local Merchants observe Anaheim's first Monday evening shopping. Stores will be open until 9 p.m. Mystery Merchant's Jackpot is an easy way to earn much as $35 by simply shopping on Monday evening in any Mystery Merchant's store. Sometime during the evening between 6 and 9 the Mystery Merchant representative will come onto the street, approach the lucky person and tell him that if he can produce a sales slip or sales slips from Mystery Merchant's stores for $5 or more he can qualify for a cash prize running from $5 to $35. If his sales slips total less than $5 he can still qualify for half the prize. The person selected will be given the choice of three envelopes containing certificates for different amounts. Mercury Drops, Humidity Climbs The heat slipped off its weekday blistering level in the 90's drop today to 77 degrees at 10am, but the humidity climbed over cent above yesterday's reading of 60 at the same time. Holding was 67 per cent today noon. Today's maximum temperature was 86 degrees at 2 p.m., a minimum of 60 degrees by the morning. Cattered afternoon thunderstorms covered the mountain interior section of Southern California today but elsewhere generally fair and cooler weather was reported. Thundershower activity extended from the San Bernardino mountains southward. Precipita- SHE'S MISS USA — Carlene King Johnson, Miss Vermont, won title of Miss U.S.A. against beauties of all nations in Miss Universe contest at Long Beach, and will compete tonight in the finals of the contest to pick the most beautiful girl in the world. Judges to Name 'Miss Universe' Queen Tonight LONG BEACH, Calif. (UP) — The most beautiful girl in the world will be chosen tonight from among Miss United States and 14 foreign beauties in the climax of the Miss Universe contest. Miss U.S.A., Carlene King Johnson, '22, of Vermont, and the 14 foreign girls were selected as semi finalists Thursday night out of 33 beauties in competition for the Miss Universe crown. Forty-two American girls were eliminated on Wednesday night when Miss Johnson became Miss U.S.A. Thursday night's 15 survivors will enter the semi finals tonight, with five being selected as finalists. Miss Universe then will be picked from the finalists. The remaining four finalists, her runners up, will be listed, as they finish behind her, in second, third, fourth and fifth place. Other Semi-Finalists The other semi-finalists in addition to Miss Johnson were Miss Argentina, Isabel Saliri, 25; Miss Belgium, Nicole De Meyer, 18; Miss Brazil, Emilia Barreto Correa. WEDnesday's maximum temperate was 86 degrees at 2 p.m. in a minimum of 60 degrees day in the morning. A scattered afternoon thunder storm covered the mountain interior section of Southern California today but elsewhere generally fair and cooler weather was reported. Thundershower activity extended from the San Bernardino mountains southward. Precipitation was expected to be considerably less than from storms which hit the area earlier in the week. Cloud burst caused a sum of flash flood that closed Highway 395, three miles north of Winning, near Mono Lake Thursday afternoon, causing damage estimated at about $100, but State Highway officials said that apparently no one was injured. Coastal cloudiness again coveted the immediate coast during early morning hours but the clouds cleared by mid-morning and gentle variable winds were reported from Point Conception San Diego. Temperatures shot up to 106 Saturday in El Centro, 105 in the the and Needles and Palm Springs reported 104. Thermal 104, Daggett, 102 and Baffield, 100. Triftymart Market located to Locate Here City Building Inspector, Ho-Wallace announced this morning that Triftymart Correction arrived in his office check plans today. The large grocery concern place said, is drawing plans a large structure in the Discount vicinity, on the north-north corner of Harbor and Ka-na. The building will be 170 by 177 feet and will be connected at a cost of about 1,000. Newspaper reaction showed the President's offer sent a surge of hope for peace through Europe. At the United Nations in New York diplomats applauded the plan, but doubted that Russia would accept it. In Washington, most members of Congress hailed the offer. One member of the French delegation here said Mr. Eisenhower's move strengthened his view that the Americans have outmaneuvered the Russians at every turn in this conference. Western diplomats watched for a possible Soviet counter-stroke in the closing hours of the Big Four parley, which folds up probably tomorrow. Weather Mostly sunny today and Saturday but some variable night and morning low clouds and fog. High temperature today near 78 in Civic Center and 72 at beaches. Slightly warmer most sections Saturday. "I KNOW MY RIGHTS" 14-Year-Old Demands Lawyer After Admitting 200 Pasadena Burglaries PASADENA, Calif. — A 14-year-old robbery suspect, who said he studied the life history of bank robber Willie The Actor Sutton, demanded a lawyer for his defense today, proclaiming, "I know my rights." Police said the boy, unidentified because of his age, had confessed to 200 burglaries that netted him more than $2000. He was proud of his crimes, officers said, boasting expert knowledge of how to "peel" and "chop" a safe. The junior-grade yegg not only told police he was a student on criminals, but said he "boned up" for a life of crime by studying diligently a book on the California penal code which he stole from a library. Officers said the youth began his crime spree a year ago with thefts from coin receptacles, newspaper racks and vending machines. The Willie Sutton admirer so allegedly told police he "died real square" to avoid detection. Officers did not close how they apprehended boy.