Wineville Chicken Murders

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The Wineville Chicken Murders (also known as the Wineville Chicken Coop Murders[1]) is an infamous kidnapping and murder case that occurred in Los Angeles from 1928 through 1930. The case exposed corruption in the Los Angeles Police Department and received nationwide attention.[2] The 2008 film, Changeling, is based upon the events of this case.[3][4]

Among the boys who disappeared were 10-year-old Walter Collins, who vanished on March 10, 1928,[5] and twelve-year-old Lewis Winslow and his brother Nelson, 10, who went missing from Pomona on May 16, 1928.[6]

After a 27-day trial, on February 7, 1929 Gordon Stewart Northcott was found guilty of killing Lewis and Nelson Winslow and an unidentified Mexican boy.[7] The jury heard that he kidnapped, molested, tortured, killed, and dismembered these and other boys throughout 1928. On February 13, 1929, Judge Freeman sentenced Northcott to be hanged[8] and the sentence was carried out October 2, 1930.[2][9] Later Louisa Northcott, Northcott's mother, admitted killing Walter Collins. She was sentenced to life at San Quentin State Prison[2] although it is believed Northcott coerced his mother into committing the killing.

The Los Angeles Police Department was also involved in a scandal as a result of this case. Arthur Hutchins, Jr., a runaway from Illinois and originally from Iowa, claimed he was the missing Walter Collins so he could get a free trip to California.[10] The police considered the case closed and tried to convince Walter's mother, Christine Collins, that Hutchins was her son. When she refused to believe it, she was placed in the psychopathic ward of the Los Angeles County General Hospital.[11][12] Only after Hutchins admitted he was not Christine Collins' son, ten days later, was she released.[13]

Investigators found an axe and bones, hair, and fingers from three of the victims buried in lime near the chicken house at the Northcott ranch near Wineville, hence the name "Wineville Chicken Murders".[2] Wineville changed its name to “Mira Loma” on November 1, 1930, due in large part to the negative publicity surrounding this case.[14] Wineville Road is the only reminder of the community's former name.[1]

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b Johnson, Kim Jarrell (2006). Jurupa. Arcadia Publishing, p. 67. ISBN 0-7385-3082-4. 
  2. ^ a b c d Kurz, John (1988-12-15). Mira Loma History, Riverside County, California: Wineville Chicken Murders. Rubidoux Historical Society. Retrieved on 2008-01-26.
  3. ^ Foundas, Scott. "Clint Eastwood: The Set Whisperer - Shooting quietly on the Changeling set", LA Weekly, 2007-12-19. Retrieved on 2007-12-29. 
  4. ^ Feature Film: Untitled feat. Angelina Jolie & Clint. Talent Hunter (2007-08-22). Retrieved on 2008-01-26.
  5. ^ "New Kidnapping Clew Furnished in Hunt for Missing Collins Boy: Glendale Man Helps Police", Los Angeles Times, 1928-04-04. Retrieved on 2008-01-26. 
  6. ^ Wetsch, Elisabeth (1995). Chicken Murders. Serial Killer Crime Index. Retrieved on 2008-01-26.
  7. ^ "Northcott Convicted of Slaying Three Boys; His Last Dramatic Plea Fails to Move Jury", New York Times, 1929-02-07. Retrieved on 2008-01-16. 
  8. ^ "Northcott put in Doomed Row: Slayer Becomes No. 46,597 at San Quentin Meeting With "Mother" May be Arranged Later Youth "Wisecracks" About Forthcoming Hanging", Los Angeles Times, 1929-02-13. Retrieved on 2008-01-26. 
  9. ^ Gribben, Mark (2007-02-27). Poetic Justice. The Malefactor's Register. Retrieved on 2008-01-26.
  10. ^ "Hoax Discussed in Collins Suit: Hutchens Boy's Deception Subject of Argument Witnesses Tell of Seeming Truth of His Story Capt. Jones Lays Damage Action to Politics", Los Angeles Times, 1929-07-13. Retrieved on 2008-01-26. 
  11. ^ "Los Angeles Stirred by Collins Inquiry; Clearing of Police Captain in Women's Detention in Ward Causes Indignation.", New York Times, 1928-10-21. Retrieved on 2008-01-26. 
  12. ^ "Jones Refuses His Testimony: Mrs. Collins's Attorney to Seek Contempt Ruling", Los Angeles Times, 1928-12-29. Retrieved on 2008-02-29. 
  13. ^ "Enigma Boy Identified:Youth Impersonating Walter Collins Now Declared to be Arthur Hutchins, Jr., of lowa", Los Angeles Times, 1928-09-21. Retrieved on 2008-01-28. 
  14. ^ Jurupa Valley History: Mira Loma History. Riverside County Planning Department (2006). Retrieved on 2008-01-26.