A MURDER IN WEST COVINA. Chronicle of the Finch-Tregoff Case

Hardback. Just before midnight, on July 18, 1959, 2 gunshots echo through the south hills of West Covina, California, an agricultural suburb of Los Angeles with a population of less than 8,000. Within minutes police discover the body of beautiful socialite Barbara Jean Finch. Their prime suspect: her wealthy husband, R. Bernard Finch MD. His accuser, a 19yr. old Swedish governess, Marie Anne Lidholm. Also a suspect: a 20yr. old beautiful ex-model, Carole Anne Tregoff, the doctor's lover. The entire world would follow the story, soon to unfold, of greed, deception, and infidelity. The author chronicles the observations of case investigators and members of the community through interviews and review of the print media reports and court documents. Through extensive research he is able to locate the Swedish governess and obtain her story, including previously unknown details. Examination of police records and court documents shows co-defendent Carole Anne Tregoff was convicted by the use of her own testimony and statements, given without her knowledge that they might be used against her. The Finch-Tregoff trials dominated world headlines for 3yrs. and, perhaps as a prelude to the 1960s, were a notice to all that certain institutions were not as durable and trusworthy as presumed. 395pp. 8vo. From the library of true crime writer, Wilfred Gregg, with his personal b/plate. F. in nr. f. dw.