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Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Daily Mail
It was a crime that shocked the world... but did the wrong man go to the electric chair?
EXCLUSIVE It was a crime that shocked the world... but did the wrong man go to the electric chair? It was the biggest story since the Resurrection, according to critic and commentator HL Mencken. Others stuck to the lesser claim that it was 'the trial of the century.' Either way, the United States and much of the world beyond were convulsed when, in late 1934, an unemployed carpenter from the Bronx stood up in court charged with the horrific kidnap and murder of baby Charles Lindbergh Jr. The child's abduction from the New Jersey home of celebrity aviator Charles Lindbergh and wife Anne echoes down the decades - as does the subsequent trial of the accused kidnapper and murderer, German immigrant Bruno Hauptmann. Despite maintaining his innocence throughout, Hauptmann was sent to the electric chair on largely circumstantial evidence. Even today, there are widespread doubts about the safety of his conviction. Just last month, for example, it was announced that a group of forensic scientists is taking legal action demanding that New Jersey State Police release the sinister ransom letters sent at the time, a key part of the prosecution case. It is hoped that now, after more than 90 years, the same advanced forensic techniques used to identify four Gilgo Beach murder victims could determine whether or not it was Hauptmann who licked the stamps on those letters sent to the Lindbergh family. Now, a new book 'The Enigmatic Aviator: Charles Lindbergh, Revisited ' by David Hamilton is re-examining the crime that rocked the world. The baby's father, Charles Lindbergh, was nothing short of a national sensation before the war - a figure of impossible glamor following his 1927 solo flight, non-stop, from New York to Paris. Charles photographed with his wife Anne shortly after their marriage Charles Lindbergh was nothing short of a national sensation before the war - a figure of impossible glamor following his 1927 solo flight, non-stop, from New York to Paris The arrival of the Lindberghs' first child, Charles Jr, was met with much fanfare From that point on, his every movement was tracked by the cut-throat popular press which, in June 1930, announced with much fanfare the arrival of the Lindberghs' first child. But on March 1, 1932, in a night of horror, the 20-month-old baby boy was taken from the family home. Using a home-made ladder of exact length to reach a room upstairs, the kidnapper entered via a faulty window, removed the baby from his crib and left a semi-literate ransom note demanding $50,000. The intruder disappeared without causing alarm, leaving the ladder and a chisel but no fingerprints. Kidnapping was a common form of extortion from wealthy families at this point in the Depression. The Mob had moved into the so-called 'snatch racket' and ransom demands were routinely – and discreetly – paid. The abducted person was safely returned. The loss of baby Charles was discovered at 10 pm and the discarded three-piece ladder found lying in the garden. The New Jersey State Police arrived quickly. Although kidnapping was a state and not a federal crime, J Edgar Hoover, director of the FBI, was woken at home and immediately put men on the case. Lindbergh's lawyer arrived at the family home, as did the press - in force. Radio stations flashed the news nationally at 11:30 pm. The usual strategy was to deal privately with kidnappers, but the press were already involved and Lindbergh - to reassure those holding baby Charles - announced publicly that the ransom would be paid. On March 1, 1932, in a night of horror, the 20-month-old baby boy was taken from the family home Although kidnapping was a state and not a federal crime, J Edgar Hoover, director of the FBI, was woken at home and immediately put men on the case A new investigation could determine whether or not it was Hauptmann who licked the stamps on the ransom letters The search widened and roadblocks were erected throughout the state. The George Washington Bridge connecting New Jersey to Manhattan was closed. The drama gripped America. Prayers were said in churches. At Madison Square Garden, a boxing match was halted for a reverential three-minute silence. Organizations, including the Boy Scouts, were put on watch for suspicious behavior. The large Lindbergh house was now a command post. A communication center was established in the garage to deal with a deluge of letters and telegrams. Twenty telephone lines were installed to take the calls. But the first convincing contact did not come until three days later, on March 4. The message, which included a secret symbol also left on the original ransom note, deplored the involvement of the police, asking if it was necessary 'to make a world affair out of this?' Everyone agreed that the underworld must be involved in the kidnapping, and Lindbergh agreed to bring in Mickey Rosner, a mobster who claimed he could sort things out. Often a trusting man, Lindbergh took Rosner seriously. He remained in the house for a week but was paid off after finally admitting that the kidnap 'must be the work of an independent.' Al Capone, the celebrity gangster, offered his services in return for release from jail and an amnesty, but the Lindberghs ultimately turned down his offer. The kidnapper was again out of touch for a while, but then a second ransom note, posted from New York, increased the demand to $70,000. The loss of baby Charles was discovered at 10 pm and the discarded three-piece ladder found lying in the garden A meeting was arranged between Charles (pictured), an intermediary Dr John Condon, and the kidnapper Eventually, a meeting was arranged between Charles, an intermediary Dr John Condon and the kidnapper. At the night-time rendezvous – a cemetery – Charles listened while Condon was guided by voice to hand over the ransom without the kidnapper being seen. As agreed, the kidnapper passed over the child's sleeping suit as proof of his involvement. The cash paid over was unusual as it included 'gold certificate' notes, an older form of currency then being phased out. The numbers on the notes were retained by the police. The news everyone had feared came on May 12, 72 days after the abduction, when a baby's body was found five miles south of the Lindbergh home. A truck driver had pulled over to relieve himself and came upon the baby's decayed body in a simple burlap - or hessian - bag in the woodland. The press were summoned and the New York Daily News had a special edition on the streets within 30 minutes. The baby's body had been attacked by animals but was identified by Lindbergh from its clothing and physical details including overlapping toes. It was Charles Jr – and he had died from a fractured skull. It was possible that the kidnapper simply dropped the baby during a difficult descent on the flimsy ladder. Alternatively, he might have planned to kill the boy from the outset yet seek the ransom money all the same. Everyone agreed that the underworld must be involved in the kidnapping With the Lindberghs anxious to avoid mawkish memorials, the body was privately cremated, the ashes scattered at sea. For detectives, the key lead appeared to be the detailed knowledge shown by whoever took the child. The kidnapper had entered the correct room via the correct window, one of 15, on the upper floor. The ladder used was exactly the length required. There was an additional detail, too: the Lindbergh family usually moved to the estate of Anne's parents, the Morrows, on Mondays but were unexpectedly staying at their own home that night because the baby had a cold. It seemed the kidnapper had traveled to the scene with great confidence that night, armed with detailed knowledge of how and where to find his victim. Had one of the servants - and in particular someone in the large and wealthy Morrow household - played a part in revealing information about the baby's location? Soon, one-by-one, the servants were interviewed about their movements and social contacts. Betty Gow, Lindberghs' nurse, was first to be cleared. However, one of the Morrows' maids, Violet Sharpe, was evasive and during her third interrogation, became distraught. A series of ransom notes led Lindbergh and Condon to a night-time rendezvous in a cemetery She then committed suicide with a cyanide preparation available to clean silverware at the time, although the police eventually concluded that she was completely innocent. To this day, no further evidence has emerged to implicate the servants or explain how the kidnapper knew so much about his target. It was also hoped that the rare gold certificate bank notes paid as part of the ransom - and identifiable from their serial numbers - would lead detectives to the killer. Frustratingly, they did turn up from time to time and were spotted by alert bank tellers. But the notes were usually included in daily takings from large stores and the shop assistants remembered little about the customers involved. Intriguingly most appeared in the downtown New York area and it was tantalizingly possible the kidnapper was still spending them. Then, in September 1933, another one was spotted. This time it had been used at a gas station and, helpfully, the attendant had written down the car number plate. The New York State police soon traced the owner and arrested him. Bruno Hauptmann, the unemployed carpenter, acted suspiciously on arrest. His handwriting was quickly declared to match that on the ransom note and, when his house was searched, the police found a stack of bank notes from the ransom payment. The search widened from the Lindberghs' home, and roadblocks were erected throughout the state When the police let it be known that Hauptmann was from Germany and had a criminal record there, a relieved America accepted that the murderer had been found. Yet even though Hauptmann was kept in solitary confinement and beaten up, there was no confession. The trial, starting in late 1934, was the place to be seen. New York society ladies bribed their way into the small courtroom where they jostled for positions near the defendant. Sightseers gathered and tacky mementos were sold outside the courthouse: alleged locks of hair from the murdered baby, forged autographed photographs of Charles and replicas of the kidnap ladder. The prosecution's case was circumstantial since there was nothing directly linking Hauptmann to the killing. They could show that the crude ransom note was in Hauptmann's handwriting and that some of the ransom money had been found in his house. Added to that, detailed forensic work on the wood of the ladder found at the scene traced it to a lumber yard close to Hauptmann's home and suggested that wood in one part of the ladder came from the floor of Hauptmann's attic. Lindbergh, who attended daily carrying a pistol in a holster, gave dignified evidence and testified that the voice he heard from the cemetery directing him how to hand over the money matched Hauptmann's. Bruno Hauptmann, an unemployed carpenter, was arrested and charged for the kidnap and murder Bruno Hauptmann (center) is handcuffed to a state trooper as he is taken from county jail to be executed Anne, too, gave testimony and managed to keep control when identifying the baby's sleeping suit to the hushed court. The defense wisely declined to question her. Hauptmann's flamboyant attorney, Edward J Reilly, claimed that the money found in Hauptmann's house had been stored for a friend, a business partner, who had left for Germany and died there. Hauptmann said he was entitled to use it since his friend owed him money. Reilly cast doubt on the handwriting evidence and reasonably argued that the ladder was not worthy of a skilled carpenter. But his client's alibis for that night were unconvincing. At the conclusion of the six-week trial, the judge gave a balanced summary and the jury retired. Outside, a restive crowd of 6,000 people waited 11 hours for the verdict. Some of the reporters devised plans for being first with the result. The Associated Press correspondent even had a special radio and was ready with simple codes for the possible permutations. But when the bell rang to announce that the jury was returning, he mistakenly - and now notoriously - sent out the 'guilty and life imprisonment' code. In fact, Hauptmann had been sentenced to death. Mrs Lindbergh with three of her children Reeve, Anne and Scott (left to right) in 1950 Hauptman's steady denials, plus concern about a verdict based entirely on circumstantial evidence, meant that doubts persisted and the execution was postponed by series of appeals in the course of 1935. But on April 3, 1936, the appeals finally ran out and Hauptman went to the electric chair. It is striking that he never made a confession despite the fact that doing so - and allowing for a sentence of life imprisonment - might well have saved his life. Perhaps, nine decades later, it is only the miracle of forensic science that will finally lay the doubts to rest. Edited and exclusively excerpted from 'The Enigmatic Aviator: Charles Lindbergh, Revisited ' by David Hamilton
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
With Kristian Campbell sent down, who will Red Sox play at second base?
SAN FRANCISCO — Kristian Campbell has started 54 of the Red Sox' first 76 games at second base this season. Now that he's been demoted to Worcester, how will the Red Sox replace him? With a heavy dose of David Hamilton, at least for now. Advertisement Manager Alex Cora said Friday that Hamilton, who has made 21 starts at second so far (and is at that spot Friday) will be the primary starter for the time being. The main reason? Defense. 'We're playing in a stadium that is tough to score runs,' Cora said at Oracle Park. 'We're gonna maximize the defense. Hammy has been great at second base. We need him to get going offensively and he will. He'll play the majority of times.' The Red Sox have had four players — Campbell (471 ⅔ innings), Hamilton (198 ⅔), Romy Gonzalez (9) and Ceddanne Rafaela (1) — play second base at times this season. Gonzalez, who has mostly played first, logged 130 ⅓ innings there last year. Abraham Toro, who has played the corners, has over 1,000 innings at second in the majors in his career. So Cora has his options in addition to Hamilton, who is hitting just .172 with two homers and 27 strikeouts in 99 plate appearances this year. The main other option at present, though, is someone who has never played second in the majors: Marcelo Mayer. The rookie has admirably taken over at third base (while also filling in at shortstop for three innings) but could see time at second, where he played 10 games (84 innings) in Worcester this year. Advertisement 'Probably,' Cora said when asked about Mayer mixing in at second. 'There's certain days we might play Toro at third, Romy at first and Marcelo at second. That's something we've talked about.' From the sounds of it, Mayer could start against lefties with the switch-hitting Toro playing third on those days. He is probably a better option in those spots than Hamilton, who has a career .531 OPS against lefties in the majors. With Campbell out of the mix, it's possible that Mayer moves to second base on a full-time basis once Alex Bregman returns from his quad injury and reclaims third base. Bregman continues to receive positive reports on his recovery and could target a return around July 1 if things get fast-tracked. 'He's getting closer but nothing as far as ready to play,' Cora said. 'He's in his running progression. You have two versions: if you talk to him, he'll tell you he's ready to go. Ask the trainers and they say we're in a good spot right now and getting better. I'm with the trainers.' More Red Sox coverage Read the original article on MassLive.
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Red Sox, scrambling to find offense, find it from some unlikely sources
SAN FRANCISCO — As the Red Sox step tentatively into the post-Devers Era, they remain, as their managed conceded Friday pre-game, a team still in search of their true identity. Who are they, now that they are without their most formidable run producer? How do they proceed with a lineup that, for now at least, lacks a linchpin to draw the attention of the opposing pitching staff? Advertisement For one night, at least, the Red Sox seemed determined to shoulder the load together. In their 7-5 victory over the San Francisco Giants, they got five hits from the final two hitters in their order and overall, hits from all but three of the nine members of their starting lineup. The 11-hit attack didn't qualify as some offensive fireworks, — they hit just one homer — but for a team that had failed to score more than four runs in any one of their eight previous games, it was more than sufficient. It didn't begin well, as starter Hunter Dobbins, who ordinarily displays good control, issued four walks in the first two innings, handing the Giants an early 3-0 lead. But after that, something clicked for the Red Sox. Starting with the third inning, they scored runs in each of the next five innings. San Francisco, on the other hand, didn't score after the fifth inning. Advertisement A one-out double from Ceddanne Rafaela and a two-run homer from David Hamilton began the Red Sox' comeback. 'We put up good at-bats,' said a satisfied Alex Cora. 'And after (the two runs), that gave us life. Then after that, we just putting good at-bats after good at-bats. We ran the bases well and we were relentless. 'We kept the momentum going. We needed all of them.' It was fitting, in a way, that Rafaela kickstarted things. For one thing, he was probably the player on the current roster closest to Devers, whom he referred to postgame as his 'big brother.' Since May 27, he's hitting .333 with four doubles, five homers and nine RBI, as he attempts to balance his natural aggressiveness with a more sustainable plan of attack. Advertisement 'We had a conversation in Milwaukee,' said Cora of Rafaela, 'about certain things that he could do better. His damage is to the pull side, and obviously, at home, hitting the ball to right-center as a righty, doesn't play. But he started pulling the ball in Milwaukee and he's been outstanding. 'We know he chases, we know he swings, but I think compared to last year, at least in our numbers, we feel very comfortable with where he's at.' Hamilton, meanwhile, is now the default choice at second base following the optioning of Kristian Campbell to Triple A Worcester. He's known for his defense and baserunning, but the Sox would like to get more offensive production from him - especially now that he's going to playing every day — and believe it's there. 'The more at-bats you can, the more time you have to make the little adjustments,' said Hamilton. 'I feel like I've been slowly getting there over the course of the year. But I felt really good tonight and hopefully I can keep that going.' Advertisement There may some help coming in the not-too-distant future. Alex Bregman continues to make progress with his quad strain and Masataka Yoshida is inching toward the start of a rehab assignment. Surely, adding two veteran bats to the middle of the lineup would mark an upgrade. Their return, whenever it takes place, won't be a panacea. After all, five of those low-scoring wins came with Devers in the lineup, so it's not as though their offensive shortcomings were just recently uncovered. It would help, too, if the bullpen could continue to pitch at its current level. When Dobbins recorded only 12 outs, Cora had to use six different relievers for the final 15 outs. Other than some occasional control issues, the sextet of relievers did their jobs flawlessly, allowing just three hits in five shutout frames. Advertisement That extended the bullpen's shutout streak to 17.2 innings, the second-longest active streak in the majors. Cora has frequently said in recent weeks that if the Red Sox pitch well enough, they'll be fine and that's undoubtedly true. But on a night in which their starter faltered, in addition to the bullpen stepping up, it was a relief to get some offense from across the lineup. More Red Sox coverage Read the original article on MassLive.
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Red Sox, scrambling to find offense, find it from some unlikely sources
SAN FRANCISCO — As the Red Sox step tentatively into the post-Devers Era, they remain, as their managed conceded Friday pre-game, a team still in search of their true identity. Who are they, now that they are without their most formidable run producer? How do they proceed with a lineup that, for now at least, lacks a linchpin to draw the attention of the opposing pitching staff? Advertisement For one night, at least, the Red Sox seemed determined to shoulder the load together. In their 7-5 victory over the San Francisco Giants, they got five hits from the final two hitters in their order and overall, hits from all but three of the nine members of their starting lineup. The 11-hit attack didn't qualify as some offensive fireworks, — they hit just one homer — but for a team that had failed to score more than four runs in any one of their eight previous games, it was more than sufficient. It didn't begin well, as starter Hunter Dobbins, who ordinarily displays good control, issued four walks in the first two innings, handing the Giants an early 3-0 lead. But after that, something clicked for the Red Sox. Starting with the third inning, they scored runs in each of the next five innings. San Francisco, on the other hand, didn't score after the fifth inning. Advertisement A one-out double from Ceddanne Rafaela and a two-run homer from David Hamilton began the Red Sox' comeback. 'We put up good at-bats,' said a satisfied Alex Cora. 'And after (the two runs), that gave us life. Then after that, we just putting good at-bats after good at-bats. We ran the bases well and we were relentless. 'We kept the momentum going. We needed all of them.' It was fitting, in a way, that Rafaela kickstarted things. For one thing, he was probably the player on the current roster closest to Devers, whom he referred to postgame as his 'big brother.' Since May 27, he's hitting .333 with four doubles, five homers and nine RBI, as he attempts to balance his natural aggressiveness with a more sustainable plan of attack. Advertisement 'We had a conversation in Milwaukee,' said Cora of Rafaela, 'about certain things that he could do better. His damage is to the pull side, and obviously, at home, hitting the ball to right-center as a righty, doesn't play. But he started pulling the ball in Milwaukee and he's been outstanding. 'We know he chases, we know he swings, but I think compared to last year, at least in our numbers, we feel very comfortable with where he's at.' Hamilton, meanwhile, is now the default choice at second base following the optioning of Kristian Campbell to Triple A Worcester. He's known for his defense and baserunning, but the Sox would like to get more offensive production from him - especially now that he's going to playing every day — and believe it's there. 'The more at-bats you can, the more time you have to make the little adjustments,' said Hamilton. 'I feel like I've been slowly getting there over the course of the year. But I felt really good tonight and hopefully I can keep that going.' Advertisement There may some help coming in the not-too-distant future. Alex Bregman continues to make progress with his quad strain and Masataka Yoshida is inching toward the start of a rehab assignment. Surely, adding two veteran bats to the middle of the lineup would mark an upgrade. Their return, whenever it takes place, won't be a panacea. After all, five of those low-scoring wins came with Devers in the lineup, so it's not as though their offensive shortcomings were just recently uncovered. It would help, too, if the bullpen could continue to pitch at its current level. When Dobbins recorded only 12 outs, Cora had to use six different relievers for the final 15 outs. Other than some occasional control issues, the sextet of relievers did their jobs flawlessly, allowing just three hits in five shutout frames. Advertisement That extended the bullpen's shutout streak to 17.2 innings, the second-longest active streak in the majors. Cora has frequently said in recent weeks that if the Red Sox pitch well enough, they'll be fine and that's undoubtedly true. But on a night in which their starter faltered, in addition to the bullpen stepping up, it was a relief to get some offense from across the lineup. More Red Sox coverage Read the original article on MassLive.
Reuters
21-06-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
Red Sox rally to take reunion with Giants' Rafael Devers
June 21 - Ceddanne Rafaela and David Hamilton combined for five hits, three runs and four RBIs out of the bottom two spots in the batting order and the Boston Red Sox spoiled Rafael Devers' reunion with a 7-5 road victory over the San Francisco Giants on Friday. Meeting just five days after completing a blockbuster trade with Devers at the heart, the Red Sox rallied from a 3-0 deficit to win for the eighth time in their last nine games. While Boston improved to 3-1 since the deal, the Giants lost for the third time in four games, with Devers going 0-for-5 in the opener of a three-game series. Hamilton had a two-run homer in the third inning to cut into the 3-0 deficit. Rafaela delivered a game-tying single in the fourth and a solo shot in the sixth that gave the visitors the lead for good at 6-5. Boston scored in every inning from the third through the seventh. The homers were Rafaela's seventh and Hamilton's third. Rafaela, batting eighth, finished 3-for-4 with two runs and two RBIs, while Hamilton, slotted ninth, went 2-for-4 with one run and two RBIs. Jarren Duran and Wilyer Abreu each had two hits for the Red Sox, who out-hit the Giants 11-7. Boston's Brennan Bernardino (3-2), who took over for starter Hunter Dobbins with no outs in the fifth and completed the inning, was credited with the win. Bernardino joined with Zack Kelly, Justin Wilson, Greg Weissert, Garrett Whitlock and Aroldis Chapman for five scoreless innings of relief. Chapman struck out two of three men he faced in the ninth -- including Devers -- for his 14th save. Dobbins was charged with all five Giants runs, four earned, in his four-plus innings. He walked five and struck out one. Boston pitchers walked eight batters. The Giants left eight stranded. Sean Hjelle (1-1), who served up Rafaela's homer, took the loss in relief of Hayden Birdsong, who allowed five runs (four earned) and seven hits in 4 1/3 innings. Birdsong walked one and struck out four. Heliot Ramos and Casey Schmitt had two hits apiece, Patrick Bailey walked three times and Willy Adames reached base three times and scored twice for the Giants. San Francisco twice scored runs on bases-loaded, no-out, double-play grounders. --Field Level Media
