Access to this collection is generously supported by Arcadia funds. Chief Investigator George Contreras led a separate investigation into the death of Abner R. Driskell, grandfather of Welby Hunt, who was tried as an accomplice in the murder of C. Ivy Toms, a Rosehill California) pharmacist. His co-defendant was William Edward Hickman, who would soon be convicted for the kidnap and murder of Marion Parker, age 12. Suicide notes found on the body of Driskell initially appeared to have been written by more than one person. The handwriting was not analyzed when Driskell took his life (May 25, 1927), but his relationship to Hunt and Hickman brought his death into question. Both Welby Hunt and William Hickman are referenced in the notes. Contreras’ investigation concluded that the death was a legitimate suicide. Welby Hunt, 16-year-old accomplice in the murder of C. Ivy Toms, seated next to George Contreras, Chief Investigator for the Los Angeles District Attorney's office. Hunt sits at a table with pencil and notepad. He appears to be providing a writing sample. Text written on the notepad states: "Welby L. Hunt. Jan 5, 1928, Los Angeles, Calif." The two men looming over them are probably handwriting experts (one of the men may be Milton Carson, a handwriting expert noted in a related Los Angeles Time article). Possibly related to the article, "Hickman Trial Forces Line Up," Los Angeles Times, 4 Jan. 1928: A1. Text from negative sleeve: Hickman, William Edward.
Type
Image
Format
b&w nitrate negative
Identifier
uclamss_1429_10481 ark:/21198/zz002hbfx1
Subject
Criminal investigations--California--Los Angeles Law enforcement officers--California--Los Angeles Homicides--California--Los Angeles Contreras, George, 1888-1945 Hunt, Welby Leeson, 1911-1995 Hickman, William Edward, 1908-1928 Carson, Milton
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