The setting for this story is New York City during the Gilded Age. What could be better?
You may read about the case here… the Strange Company blog is very cool. I hope you have a day or two to invest the time. This typical “link dump” for example is simple, yet outstanding.
A large Wonderland data dump coming this week to Patreon đŸ˜‰
Early 70s, P. J.s article. Kind of a re-post, but I did more research.
Sounds like the Altra Three was similar to the stage acrobats from this 1907 show’s playbill.. lots of oohs and ahhs, but nobody screws up, they just make the audience nervous.
If this is the same Jewel Brown, count me in! How can we forget all the special folks Eddie brushed elbows with… when we didn’t know. And, poor Bobby Wicks.
Eddie Nash had many lawyers in his life, and probably near as many girlfriends. This is what some of them have been up to in these pandemic times.
Ed Rucker is busy writing books. This Twitter link is to a very informative 2019 Ed Rucker interview regarding his Bobby Earl series of legal thrillers:
Former Nash attorney, Donald Re, tried his hardest, but could not get Robert Durst off the hook for the murder of Susan Berman. This is fresh news this month; sentencing phase is next.
You gave it your best effort, Mr. Re… but there was no saving that psycho, albeit the 100% circumstantial evidence and useless, no value witnesses ponyed up by the State.
Leslie Abramson, yes, that lady… briefly represented Eddie in 1989 but then switched to try and help the Menendez boys. I guess Eddie would not wear a salmon-colored cashmere college boy sweater. She also briefly repped for Phil Spector in his murder trial… oh how the comedy ensued!
Leslie is now retired. Sometimes, she writes a book or gives a lecture. On the TV, she has been portrayed by the likes of Eddie Falco and Julia Sweeney. I love you, Leslie. Stay true blue!
David once worked as a club manager for Nash. When the Wonderland Murders occurred, there were many ripple effects through L.A. and other big cities in America. A new era was here.
The liner notes to this video tell an amazing tale on their own. In many ways, the Wonderland slayings were a line of demarcation in time and our society, in that Wonderland was thereafter followed by a rise in violent felony crime statistics, the huge explosion of crack cocaine or, in this case, rock music in L.A., the U.S., as a whole and David’s music management career as well. He left. The “Rock” was Rock music before the murders – and the “Cock” was what Rock became after July 1, 1981. I need to find this documentary.
That’s what David says anyway. The murders did end the 70s chapter of America. Music is a huge part of that. Enough of the metaphors… on to the video!
RIP David Forest
Snoop Lion was/is married to a woman named Shante Taylor. I doubt it is the same woman. This girl went into witness protection, according to retired cops. A lil bird once said that a gang from South-central killed her brother, apparently seeking some of the bribe money. Without this successful bribe, Nash would have burned – and just maybe would have been executed. Teflon… too close for comfort, Eddie! Some say Ed’s brother or someone else could have slipped her a note as the jury walked to the elevator each day, through the crowded halls of the court. It was possible.
Prosecutors immediately promised that the 60-year-old Nash will be retried. Judge Curtis Rappe scheduled a May 30 hearing to consider a new trial date.
Lawyers on both sides expressed disappointment that jurors had been unable to reach a verdict after nearly four months of testimony and 3 1/2 days of deliberation.
Nash showed no emotion when the mistrial was announced and was returned to jail, where he is being held without bail, to await the hearing.
A survivor, Susan Launius, 25 at the time, suffered brain damage and has been unable to identify her assailants.
Prosecutors charge that Nash, then a wealthy nightclub owner, ordered the murders in retaliation for a robbery at his Studio City home about 40 hours earlier.
Before Tuesday’s mistrial, Rappe was advised by note that one of the jurors refused to follow the court’s instruction to consider circumstantial evidence and therefore the jury was deadlocked.
But before accepting foreman Robert Burke’s opinion that the panelists would be unable to reach a decision on Nash’s guilt or innocence, Rappe sent them back to decide whether there was a chance that further deliberations might result in a verdict.
Burke led the jurors back into the courtroom a few minutes later, however, and told Rappe, “There is nothing that’s going to change anything.”
Later, outside court, Burke told reporters that the jury was deadlocked 11-1 for conviction.
“One juror did not feel that the prosecution proved its case beyond a reasonable doubt,” Burke declared. “I thought he was guilty myself.”
“Personally, I believe he was not guilty,” the holdout, Shaunte Taylor, 18, of Los Angeles, told reporters. “The prosecution did not prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt.”
Taylor described prosecution witnesses as “liars” who testified in exchange for favors, such as shorter sentences in other cases. The young woman said she withstood great pressure from fellow jurors, who wanted her to change her mind.
“I’m very disappointed,” said defense attorney Jeff Brodey. “I hate to have to try this again.”
Deputy Dist. Atty. Dale Davidson said the mistrial represented four months of work “down the drain.
“It’s unfortunate,” he said. “We’ll try again.”
After years of insistence that they knew who committed the Laurel Canyon murders, authorities formally charged Nash and Diles two years ago, alleging they had unearthed new evidence.
The murders were originally blamed on pornographic film star John C. Holmes. Holmes was acquitted in 1982 and died in 1988 of complications from AIDS.
UPDATE – The Oxygen special titled “Wonderland Murderland” airs this FRIDAY night primetime. Check local listings. Mysteries & Scandals.
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If you just watched or plan to watch the Oxygen special, Mysteries & Scandals, about Wonderland and you want to know more, or the entire story – you came to the right place!
Join the maing list and subscribe – use the search box at right to narrow your query, or to look up posts about a certain character from this crazy, yet addictive & interesting story. Order Lange & Souza’s amazing new book below … read samples from my upcoming book if you like, also below. 80s crime noir is finally here!
Wonderland put an end to the so-called fun loving 1970s, and kicked off the forever dark night…that was the 80s. So get a cup of tea, tuck the kids in – you could be here a while đŸ˜‰
View of L.A. from the top of Wonderland Ave…
Photo by me.
From an intimidation and scare tactic standpoint, the 82 and 90 trial’s were a stark contrast in the demeanor of David Lind, thats for sure!
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David had two kids with his first wife in the 1960s. I was told he was estranged from both children, and they didn’t know them at all. In the early 90s with a different woman, his other son was born just after the Nash-Diles trials, and this kid was a toddler when his father died in ’95. I have seen a photo of him, and it looks like he is studying in school and making something of himself. Maybe Dave is looking down on him from that smoky, beer joint in the sky…
If there’s a nice ending to this whole bloody mess, it’s that most of the relatives of the victims, near-victims and or perpetrators, have had remarkable and happy lives (from the ones I have met or talked to). I say “most”… I don’t know about all.
(I haven’t forgotten about you, Kevin D., and will give you a shout soon so we can talk about your dad more. I am planning a month-long road trip out west this summer…. So Adam, please let your dad know I took a hiatus from the blog last year, but am now back and my book is a go!)
Peace~
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For someone who’s just discovering the story about Wonderland, I would recommend this show. It’s a good primer. The only mystery left is who swung the pipes.. We know Holmes, the Diles brothers; Greg & Danny or Samual were there. Speculation consist of Hovsep Mikaelian and members of the Russian mafia as the others. Weather or not Holmes murdered Launius is somewhat irrelevant. A far greater crime was John Holmes orchestrating the robbery of Ed Nash in the first place. That one single act changed so many peoples lives in a negative way. It was Devastating.
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The one thing I saw in the show that I never knew before was Eddie showing up at John’s trial and sitting in the back. That had to have been sending John a MASSIVE signal to continue keeping his mouth shut. For all of John’s bad decisions, the one good decision he made was to keep his mouth shut re: Eddie, all the way to his grave.
Well Holmes certainly deserves his charge of the blame for the robbery of Eddie Nash. But he dIdn’t hold a gun to Ronnie or David’s heads either. They bought on to the idea as a way to make a huge score, and probably as a big “FU” to a more established player in the drug business. If they had not been using as much dope as they sold, they (including Holmes) might have thought twice about the wisdom of robbing Eddie Nash and letting him live.
One thing that I have always wondered about Eddie is why he never ordered a hit against the guy (Robert Garceau) who murdered his son (Telesforo Bautista). I would have thought that situation would have resulted in a retaliation that would make Wonderland look like a tea party.
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According to McCourts testimony, “everybody backed out” of the robbery at one point. Obviously, we don’t know what made them change their mind. I bet when Eddie walked in that court room, the lights flickered on & off, the clock on the wall stopped ticking & the moon passed in front of the sun. When the prince of darkness sends a message, he makes sure there’s no room for misinterpretation.
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I think that Ron Coen would have wet his pants if he were ever confronted by Eddie.
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When Eddie walked in to court, it was like that movie, Scanners, the DAs heads all exploded!
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Ed showing up at the trial is mentioned in the Holmes bio INCHES by Jill Nelson and Jennifer Sugar. I believe they say Ed was there more than once! They have a great chapter on Wonderland. This business about Ed at Holmes trial has been posted on the blog before…btw.
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It’s too bad that Rodger Jacobs is not still alive to see this. He deserved boatloads of credit for keeping the interest going in this case. I wonder if Oxygen finally managed to get Susan to break her silence?
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At the time, when Rodger’s health was failing and he was living at the Hotel Cecil, or whereever it was, I wanted to go rescue him from his strife, let him come live with me. I’ll never forget his story, probably around 1985, when he took his last six bucks to the package store, and was walking back to his apartment near some freeway in LA – a govt issue sedan pulled up, a secret service guy asked to look in his paper bag, made a comment that he too was ready for a Heineken. Then, President Reagan’s motorcade zoomed by.
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Yeah I always wanted to help Rodger too, even though I was fairly sure that things would end kinda they way they did. I did manage to make contributions to him at his blog, and recruited a few others to do the same. Eyes open, I knew the score. But still he was a human being and you want to help.
I once got similarly accosted by the Secret Service. O’bama was making an unannounced visit to town. Couldn’t get out until his campaign bus was long gone. The town’s name? Beaver PA. đŸ˜€
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Susan doesn’t remember anything, hardly remembered arriving at the house even. However, I’m like you, if only to hear her tell stories about Ronnie. But, I have interviewed three people who were close to him- hopefjlly a fourth, hopefully by this summer, and that is all in my book (I don’t post everything on the blog). If you have read Malice… Susan was traumatized by the Mexico business. It was bad. I have prayed for her and wish her well.
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Scott Thorson is not referred to by name in the Mysteries & Scandals episode. I just watched it. That is because, and like many of the surviving Manson family who aren’t in prison, feels he should be paid, as if his name and story, are a cashable commodity. They used to be, nobody gives a flip any longer. That Candelabra film was good, but did nothing to lessen his ego.
The episode on Oxygen was a surface piece: no new photos, no talk of victims lives, peripheral motives, side characters, the subculture, the things my book digs into. Tom Lange looks, a bit older, and always wise. However, nobody knew Nash had died, but… we at the blog knew~ at least got whiffs back in 2014. At about the same time my friend was ringing Nash’s intercom buzzer at his Tarzana condo, only to hear the greeting play – it was a woman’s voice, with an accent – asking to please leave a message, and Eddie will get back to you. Little did we know, he was probably already gone. His last name means Victory of God in Arabic. The survivors and,the victors tell history’s story – and his will never properly be told, but I will try.
Ten years ago, when asked about an interview to discuss Holmes life for the outstanding book “Inches”- the definitive story of John’s life – Nash said he would sleep on it over the weekend. The authors waited… Monday or Tuesday rolled around, and through his attorney, Nash, the one-time bit actor and stuntman and horseman… said, “No thanks.”
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I just hope that the Oxygen show does not turn into a one-dimensional character assassination of John Holmes. Seems to be a sport with some people, including those who were John Holmes “hangers on” while he lived, then stood in line to defame him after he died.
If the show tells the story, the WHOLE story without devolving into a John Holmes bashfest, then OK.
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Well Dawn seemed to take over a considerable piece of the show. You woulda thought she was one of the people at 8763. Even threw in a nice tear-jerker segment saying that Johnny Wadd was “no hero”. Thanks for the heads up.
Ron Coen came across as a douche, as he did in the “Wadd” documentary. Bottom line he lost his case in court and Holmes was found innocent on all charges. Coen had one job to do and he didn’t get it done.
Got a laugh where they kept showing a Mercedes Benz representing John making his various moves. What was it he was really driving? If I recall a Chevy Nova (or similar) that he and Dawn repainted with spray cans.
No mention of Tracy McCourt. Bummer, he was the wheel-man for the Nash hit; you’d think he would get his due.
The footage of Susan was the first I’ve ever seen. Nice. I just wish she would have done a bit for the show giving is background on Ronnie.
A highlight was Soledad O’Brien as hostess. She’s as hot as ever.
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The show was great though, overall. They touched on the lifestyle, music and what had become of the Canyon by 1981. But with 44 mins of running time, it’s a long case to discuss. I decided to grow a mustache since watching it, a prison stache though, so I can infiltrate Aryan Brotherhood on my Honda Gullwing with rainbow flag on the back waving in the breeze, find out more about David Lind. Tell them I used to run with Liberace, or Lee, as we called him!
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If they think you were running with Lee, get ready for some SERIOUS jailyard abuse.
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I hope this show ends up on the internet at some point. I’m sure you’d post a link, John. Don’t think we’ll get it here in Australia. I’d love to see some vision of the mysterious Susan Launius!
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I’ll probably watch it. However, I’m not sure the Oxygen network can reveal anything we don’t already know. As a matter of fact, I would be willing to bet that John and the collective members of this forum know more than they do! This blog is the equivalent of a “Wonderland Graduate Degree”. Once you’ve been here, theres really no need to search anywhere else…
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From what I have gathered, Ricks started out as an attorney in Long Beach and was a longtime member of various social and political groups, and he was no stranger to lending a hand in charity work. It’s a shame he got wrapped up in this case (Hal Glickman admitted to bribing him for Nash, “through a gay attorney”). Glickman had a way with words. Also, Ricks had been ordered by a higher court to reduce Nash’s sentence for the drug conviction, so he would have had to release him anyway. Eight years was the legal maximum sentence, but it was not the norm for drug dealers back then, more like three or four, and Nash had already served two, thus making him already eligible for parole. Ricks was no stranger to the booze and pain pills by this time in 1985, so he probably figured he’d kill two birds here, and make some money also since Nash was being so generous. Nash’s delicate sinus operation was the publicized reason for his release, and prosecutor Ron Coen compared Ricks’ decision to an unwanted prostate exam. That’s pretty funny. Nash sort of got away with bribing others, but when Glickman tried it in the late Seventies in an attempt to get his friend’s kid probation in a cocaine bust, it landed Hal’s ass in prison for a while.
Here’s Everett during the 1970s. He passed away in 1993.
The club closed, re-opened and then closed again a few times in 1980-81 due to noise, litter and underage drinking complaints by citizens and cops. Trouble had started brewing in about 1976. The club was closed for good in June, 1981.
The web site which hosted these images is no longer around, so I am posting these here for anyone interested. The food is named after bands of course. I am surprised to see that the band 707 was a Starwood staple. They had a couple of good, minor rock radio hits in the early 80’s, i.e., You might recall “Megaforce” sung by the great Kevin Chalfant.
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Wonderland1981 - The Wonderland Murders 
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