Access to this collection is generously supported by Arcadia funds. 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. Text from original nitrate sleeve: Hickman, William Edward - murder case. Telegrams, note found in car.
Type
image
Format
b&w nitrate negative
Identifier
ark:/21198/zz00253zkt
Language
No linguistic content
Subject
Judicial proceedings--California--Los Angeles Evidence (law) Homicides--California--Los Angeles Legal
If you're wondering about permissions and what you can do with this item, a good starting point is the "rights information" on this page. See our terms of use for more tips.
Share your story
Has Calisphere helped you advance your research, complete a project, or find something meaningful? We'd love to hear about it; please send us a message.
