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Post by tcrashfx on Apr 8, 2007 4:57:09 GMT -5
'Onion Field' Killer Dead at 76 LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Jimmy Lee Smith, the lifelong criminal whose role in the 1963 kidnapping and killing of a police officer inspired Joseph Wambaugh's true-life crime novel "The Onion Field," has died in jail at age 76, a state prisons official said. Smith died Friday at the Pitchess Detention Center in Castaic, where he was being held for failing to report to a parole officer, Bill Sessa, a California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation spokesman, said Saturday. Foul play was not suspected, but the cause of death was under investigation, according to the county coroner's office. Smith was once sentenced to death for the killing of Officer Ian Campbell, and his parole after 19 years in prison drew public outrage when he was released in 1982.
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Felix
Global Moderator
Tepid One
Happy Morning
Posts: 4,137
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Post by Felix on Apr 8, 2007 8:48:25 GMT -5
Ah, that brings back the book. And the movie. I may have to do the book again. Wambaugh did a great job on that.
I enjoyed Hollywood Station immensely, by the way, tcrash. Now Babs is plowing through it. The book by the local retired cop was interesting in parts, but he is no Wambaugh.
Back to the Onion Field, I no longer remember many of the details, just the feeling of tragedy and desperation. I can't imagine what it is like for a LE to read the book or watch the movie. I'm glad they never let the killer out.
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Post by tcrashfx on Apr 8, 2007 18:49:37 GMT -5
Sorry to advise you, but Smith (The now dead ass-hat) was paroled just 19 years after the assassination of Officer Campbell. This useless piece of skin revolved in and out of prison, after his initial release, demonstrating the effectiveness of rehabilitation. He finally died in prison where he should have died many years (And taxpayer dollars) ago.
Powell, the trigger-man ass-hat, has remained in prison since the assassination of Officer Campbell.
The story revolving about the after-affects of this murder regarding Officer Hettinger are the genesis of the "Onion Field". It was not a happy ending.
Officer Hettinger died, after a lengthy illness, in 1994 at the age of 59.
Unfortunately, most cop killers now receive a sentence much less than Smith ever served for Campbell's murder.
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Longshot! [ Saint ]
Moderator
Jack's Complete Lack of Surprise
I'm the Broken One who Fixes It
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Post by Longshot! [ Saint ] on Apr 9, 2007 5:11:52 GMT -5
They used to be executed prior to court. How times change.
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The local hack wasn't a cop, and SURE as hell wasn't an author. Paying for the book to me would be an equivalent of putting a $20 in the pocket of a pedophile, so I wouldn't do it--but I saw a copy and made my conclusion.
Hollywood Station was good, but its appearance of patched together funny cop stories seemed like just that to me. Wambaugh relies on source material, not so much skill to me...but it gives me hope. I think I could blow it away, and hope to do so 'one day'.
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Felix
Global Moderator
Tepid One
Happy Morning
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Post by Felix on Apr 9, 2007 5:32:46 GMT -5
As avid readers turn their lonely eyes to him, LS! says, regarding his writing vs. Wambaugh's: I think I could blow it away, and hope to do so 'one day'. Do it. Do it.Soon. Please?
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Babs
Senior Forumite
Diet Spryte
Even cuter?
Posts: 3,674
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Post by Babs on Apr 9, 2007 6:11:14 GMT -5
LS, you're right...you are good, very good. Do it! Please! You have a lot to tell and a lot you need to tell. A lot people need to hear. And want to hear...
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