Erle Gardner - Beware the Curves

The clipping related how Cooper Franklin Hale, prominent Citrus Grove banker and head of the Hale Investment Company, had been arrested on the complaint of a Miss Stella Karis.

Hale, it seemed, had been managing some investments for Miss Karis. There had been a difference of opinion between the pair. Miss Karis claimed Hale had been using her money and her credit to back his own investments.

Hale had driven to the apartment of his client and suggested a ride to “talk things over.”

Two hours later a motorist had picked Miss Karis up. She was covered with dirt and bruises, her clothes were ripped and torn until she was nearly nude.

She said Hale had stopped the car at a lonely spot, attempted to patch up their financial difficulties in a romantic interlude. When she had refused, he had gone berserk. He had dragged her from the car and into the brush at the side of the road. There he had assaulted her.

According to Miss Karis, she had finally managed to escape only after her resistance had been overcome by brutal force.

Hale swore it was a frame-up. He said he hadn’t needed to use any force.

I followed the case with interest. The jury believed Stella Karis, who made a terrific impression in court.

At this writing, Hale is doing time in San Quentin on a sentence of life imprisonment without possibility of parole.