Sleepy Lagoon
The Sleepy Lagoon Murder case began on August 2, 1942, when the body of Jose Diaz was found at a reservoir in southeast Los Angeles. Press hysteria and bigotry fueled the arrest of 300 Mexican American youths and guided a corrupt trial in which the judge and prosecutors displayed routine disregard for fundamental civil rights. Despite a complete lack of evidence, including no proof that Diaz had in fact been murdered, twelve defendants were convicted of murder and five were convicted of assault. In October, 1944, a dark chapter in Los Angeles history came to close when, as a result of the tireless efforts of the Sleepy Lagoon Defense Committee, the U.S. District Court of Appeals overturned the convictions as a miscarriage of justice. A precursor to the Zoot Suit Riots of 1943, the Sleepy Lagoon case is one of the most important events in the social history of Los Angeles but, even today, it is difficult to find complete and accurate information regarding the people and places involved in this historic case.
Sleepy Lagoon Defendants
"Henry Leyvas, front center, alleged member of a youthful gang, is shown as he was led from an inquest yesterday where the death of Jose Diaz was investigated. Other suspected members of the gang shown in background,." August, 1942.
Los Angeles Daily News Negatives Collection
On the night of August 1, 1942, Henry Leyvas, 20, and some of his friends were involved in a fight with another group at the Williams Ranch by a lagoon. Later the next morning, a man named José Díaz was found bleeding and unconscious on a road near the lagoon (later named the Sleepy Lagoon by a reporter). He later died. The autopsy revealed that Mr. Díaz was drunk at the time of death and that his death was the result of blunt head trauma. Though one medical examiner stated that his injuries were consistent with that of being hit by a car, Henry Leyvas and 24 members of the Mexican community were arrested and charged with the murder of José Díaz.
Defendants, family and friends with attorney Ben Margolis,
Los Angeles Hall of Justice, October 24, 1944
Los Angeles Daily News Negatives Collection
Drawing of a "zoot suiter" by Manny Delgado, sent to the
Sleepy Lagoon Defense Committee from San Quentin, 1943 or 1944
Sleepy Lagoon Defense Committee Records
Led by the local tabloids, a public outcry for "justice" and vengeance against the zoot suiters caused the Los Angeles Police Department to conduct a roundup of over 600 people on the nights of August 10th and 11th. All were charged with such things as suspicion of assault, armed robbery, etc., and 175 people were held on these charges. Of the 600 plus people arrested during this roundup, every single one was of a Spanish surnamed individual!
Defendant Bobby Telles congratulated by family,
Los Angeles Hall of Justice, October 24, 1944
Los Angeles Daily News Negatives Collection
Sleepy Lagoon defendants leaving Hall of Justice, October 24, 1944
Photograph by Phil Stern
With permission of Phil Stern
Sleepy Lagoon Defense Committee Records
During the time leading up to the trial and for two weeks into the trial, Henry Leyvas and his co-defendants were not allowed to change their clothes by order of the trial judge, Charles Fricke. The district attorney reasoned, and Judge Fricke agreed, that the jury should see the defendants in the zoot suits, which were obviously only worn by "hoodlums." During the trial, 22 of the 24 co-defendants including Henry Leyvas were tried together. They were not allowed to sit with or talk with their lawyers. Whenever their names were mentioned by a witness or the district attorney, the defendants were instructed by the judge to stand up, regardless of how damning the statements being made were. Judge Fricke also had E. Duran Ayres come and testify as an "expert" witness as to his belief of the Mexicans’ penchant for killing. The trial went on for five months. On January 15, 1943, the jury found 3 of the youths guilty of first-degree murder, 9 guilty of second-degree murder, and 5 guilty of assault. The remaining five were found not guilty.
In October, 1944, the California District Court of Appeals unanimously reversed the lower court’s verdict, dismissing the charges for lack of evidence. The treatment of Mexican Americans in this case remained a black eye for law enforcement, the media, and the city for many years.
And as for Sleepy Lagoon….
Sleepy Lagoon was a reservoir by the Los Angeles River. Frequented by Mexican Americans who were denied access to public pools, the swimming hole was named after a popular song of the time performed by big band leader and trumpet player Harry James. Research indicates the reservoir was near the city of Maywood at approximately 5500 Slauson Boulevard. Replaced by a plastic factory and and a U.S. Government warehouse facility, nothing remains of the reservoir once known as Sleepy Lagoon.
Sleepy Lagoon was named after a song made popular in 1942 by the famous trumpeteer Harry James, a contemporary of Glenn Miller and Benny Goodman. James' instrumental version of the tune was one of best-selling records of the year
Sleepy Lagoon Defendants
"Henry Leyvas, front center, alleged member of a youthful gang, is shown as he was led from an inquest yesterday where the death of Jose Diaz was investigated. Other suspected members of the gang shown in background,." August, 1942.
Los Angeles Daily News Negatives Collection
On the night of August 1, 1942, Henry Leyvas, 20, and some of his friends were involved in a fight with another group at the Williams Ranch by a lagoon. Later the next morning, a man named José Díaz was found bleeding and unconscious on a road near the lagoon (later named the Sleepy Lagoon by a reporter). He later died. The autopsy revealed that Mr. Díaz was drunk at the time of death and that his death was the result of blunt head trauma. Though one medical examiner stated that his injuries were consistent with that of being hit by a car, Henry Leyvas and 24 members of the Mexican community were arrested and charged with the murder of José Díaz.
Defendants, family and friends with attorney Ben Margolis,
Los Angeles Hall of Justice, October 24, 1944
Los Angeles Daily News Negatives Collection
Drawing of a "zoot suiter" by Manny Delgado, sent to the
Sleepy Lagoon Defense Committee from San Quentin, 1943 or 1944
Sleepy Lagoon Defense Committee Records
Led by the local tabloids, a public outcry for "justice" and vengeance against the zoot suiters caused the Los Angeles Police Department to conduct a roundup of over 600 people on the nights of August 10th and 11th. All were charged with such things as suspicion of assault, armed robbery, etc., and 175 people were held on these charges. Of the 600 plus people arrested during this roundup, every single one was of a Spanish surnamed individual!
Defendant Bobby Telles congratulated by family,
Los Angeles Hall of Justice, October 24, 1944
Los Angeles Daily News Negatives Collection
Sleepy Lagoon defendants leaving Hall of Justice, October 24, 1944
Photograph by Phil Stern
With permission of Phil Stern
Sleepy Lagoon Defense Committee Records
During the time leading up to the trial and for two weeks into the trial, Henry Leyvas and his co-defendants were not allowed to change their clothes by order of the trial judge, Charles Fricke. The district attorney reasoned, and Judge Fricke agreed, that the jury should see the defendants in the zoot suits, which were obviously only worn by "hoodlums." During the trial, 22 of the 24 co-defendants including Henry Leyvas were tried together. They were not allowed to sit with or talk with their lawyers. Whenever their names were mentioned by a witness or the district attorney, the defendants were instructed by the judge to stand up, regardless of how damning the statements being made were. Judge Fricke also had E. Duran Ayres come and testify as an "expert" witness as to his belief of the Mexicans’ penchant for killing. The trial went on for five months. On January 15, 1943, the jury found 3 of the youths guilty of first-degree murder, 9 guilty of second-degree murder, and 5 guilty of assault. The remaining five were found not guilty.
In October, 1944, the California District Court of Appeals unanimously reversed the lower court’s verdict, dismissing the charges for lack of evidence. The treatment of Mexican Americans in this case remained a black eye for law enforcement, the media, and the city for many years.
And as for Sleepy Lagoon….
Sleepy Lagoon was a reservoir by the Los Angeles River. Frequented by Mexican Americans who were denied access to public pools, the swimming hole was named after a popular song of the time performed by big band leader and trumpet player Harry James. Research indicates the reservoir was near the city of Maywood at approximately 5500 Slauson Boulevard. Replaced by a plastic factory and and a U.S. Government warehouse facility, nothing remains of the reservoir once known as Sleepy Lagoon.
Sleepy Lagoon was named after a song made popular in 1942 by the famous trumpeteer Harry James, a contemporary of Glenn Miller and Benny Goodman. James' instrumental version of the tune was one of best-selling records of the year