Proof of Guilt: Barbara Graham and the Politics of Executing Women in America

Notes

173 Notes introduction 1.Both Bernice Freeman Davis,in The Desperate and the Damned,and Byron Eschelman, in Death Row Chaplain, proclaimed Graham’s innocence and protested her execution. Eschelman became so disillusioned that he left his job. Both, however, were avid opponents of capital punishment in general. 2. Fred J. Cook, “Capital Punishment: Does It Prevent Crime?” Nation, March 10, 1956, 191. The magazine also mentioned Caryl Chessman’s case in connection with the movement to end capital punishment. It also got Graham’s first name wrong, calling her Diane. 3. Dennis Bingham,“‘I Do Want to Live!’ Female Voices, Male Discourse, and Hollywood Biopics,” Cinema Journal 38, no. 3 (Spring 1999): 4. 4. Shipman, The Penalty Is Death, 194. 5. Rapaport,“The Death Penalty,” 377. 6. Bingham,“‘I Do Want to Live!’” 7. 1. a murder in burbank 1. “Quiz of Gambler Fails to Shed Light on Killing,” Los Angeles Times, March 15, 1953. 2. Walker, The Case of Barbara Graham, 11. 3. Walker, The Case of Barbara Graham, 11;“Shoe and Hand Prints Burbank Murder Clues,”Los Angeles Times, March 13, 1953. Monahan’s given name was usually spelled Mabel in newspaper reports and trial coverage. However, other sources spelled her first name as Mable. Since it appears as Mable on 174 NOTES TO PAGES 3–14 her gravestone, I am using that spelling. Newspapers and other sources cited various ages for Monahan,ranging from sixty-two to sixty-five.Her gravestone gives a birth year of 1888, and other sources cite her birthday as January 2. Therefore, she was sixty-five at the time of her death. 4. Barbara Graham trial transcripts, San Quentin Execution File, f3918, 410. 5.Barbara Graham trial transcripts,San Quentin Execution File,f3918,16–17. 6.“Shoe and Hand Prints” Los Angeles Times, March 13, 1953. 7.“Quiz of Gambler,” Los Angeles Times, March 15, 1953. 8. Buntin, L.A. Noir, 3. 9. Walker, The Case of Barbara Graham, 14–16. 10. Walker, The Case of Barbara Graham, 16–30. Walker’s is the only account of Shorter’s confession and description of the crime. He undoubtedly used the police report, since prosecutors in the case later recruited Walker to write a book from their viewpoint and gave him access to all of the records relating to Monahan’s murder. 11. Buntin, L.A. Noir, 10. 12.“Defense to Open at Monahan Trial,”Los Angeles Times, August 30, 1953. 13. Walker, The Case of Barbara Graham, 33–37; Stanford, Lady of the House, 105–9. Monroe and Sitler were convicted of attempted murder and sent to Folsom Prison. Graham later apologized to Stanford. 14.“Defense to Open,” Los Angeles Times, August 30, 1953. 15. “Slaying Figure Victim of ‘Last Ride’ Kidnapping,” Los Angeles Times, April 15, 1953. 16.“Slaying Figure Victim,” Los Angeles Times, April 15, 1953. 17.“Murder Suspect Freed in Burbank,” Los Angeles Times, April 17, 1953. 18.“Trap Nets Three Suspects in Slaying at Burbank, ”Los Angeles Times,May 5, 1953; “Girl, Two Men Seized as Murder Case Kidnap Suspects,” Los Angeles Examiner, May 5, 1953. 19.“Trap Nets Three Suspects,” Los Angeles Times, May 5, 1953. 20.“Girl, Two Men Seized,” Los Angeles Times, May 5, 1953. 21.“Wife Picks Out Suspect as Kidnapper,” Los Angeles Times, May 6, 1953. 22.“Shorter Case Suspects Will Be Arraigned, ”Los Angeles Times,May 6,1953. 23.“Man Gives Self Up for Questioning in Shorter Case; New Clues Found, ” Los Angeles Times, May 14, 1953. 24. “Savagery of Monahan Murderers Disclosed,” Los Angeles Times, June 16, 1953. NOTES TO PAGES 14–23 175 25. Stuart Palmer,“Barbara Graham in Her Own Words,”American Weekly, April 4, 1954, 11–12. 26. Parrish, For the People, 46–49. 27.“Savagery of Monahan Murders,” Los Angeles Times, June 16, 1953. 28.“Prosecutor Flies North in Monahan Inquiry,” Los Angeles Times, June 5, 1953. 29.“Three Men,Woman Indicted in Burbank Widow’s Slaying, ”Los Angeles Times, June 4, 1953. 30. Tom Cameron,“A Lawyer’s Job as a Defender,” Los Angeles Times, May 20, 1956. 31. O’Brien, Hardboiled America, 107. 2. a life on the lam 1. List of prior offenses, San Quentin Execution File, f3918, 409–10. 2. Stanford, Lady of the House, 105–9. 3.“For Wayward Girls,” Los Angeles Times, March 13, 1914. 4. California Youth Authority, Ventura School, Admission Record for Hortense Ford, September, 4, 1925...