News article.
Woman Bares Doctor’s Death
Kills Him, Keeps Body in a Trunk 2 Days, Throws it Away, then Tells Police.
Los Angeles, April 14- A middle-aged real estate dealer Mrs. Margaret B. Willis, formerly Mrs. Albert Schultz, of Denver, walked into the police station last night and told how she had shot and killed Dr. Benjamin Baldwin, a Los Angeles physician, formerly of St. Louis, kept his body in a trunk in her home for two days and then hurled it over an embankment.
This confession made, the woman asked for a cup of coffee. Refreshed, she led the officers to a spot on the state highway near San Fernando, a suburb, where the doctor’s body was found in a trunk half way down the embankment.
“THAT’S HIM.”
Mrs. Willis identified the body, according to the officers, remarking, “Yes, that’s him.”
Mrs. Willis’ confession, according to police records, is substantially as follows:
Dr. Baldwin went to her apartment last Friday morning, ostensibly to teach her to drive an automobile he had sold her. He was intoxicated and made improper advances, she said. Mrs. Willis entered a closet to get her hat and coat and while there obtained a revolver.
The doctor refused to heed her warning not to make further advances and, Mrs. Willis said, she shot him. She placed his body in a trunk, which she moved into an adjoining room, rented by Bert. C. Webster, a forest ranger. With Webster’s assistance the next day, she removed the trunk to her automobile and began driving about.
Later they hurled the trunk over the embankment and then drove to the police station.
DENIES PART
Webster denied he had any part in the slaying or knew what was in the trunk. He was held for further questioning. Mrs. Willis said she told Webster the trunk contained books and office supplies.
Webster was later booked at the city jail as a material witness, Mrs. Willis being held on a homicide charge.
Dr. Baldwin, who was 39 years old, was a graduate of Creighton College, Omaha, Neb.
-The Detroit News, 14 April 1924, p. 2.
Kills Him, Keeps Body in a Trunk 2 Days, Throws it Away, then Tells Police.
Los Angeles, April 14- A middle-aged real estate dealer Mrs. Margaret B. Willis, formerly Mrs. Albert Schultz, of Denver, walked into the police station last night and told how she had shot and killed Dr. Benjamin Baldwin, a Los Angeles physician, formerly of St. Louis, kept his body in a trunk in her home for two days and then hurled it over an embankment.
This confession made, the woman asked for a cup of coffee. Refreshed, she led the officers to a spot on the state highway near San Fernando, a suburb, where the doctor’s body was found in a trunk half way down the embankment.
“THAT’S HIM.”
Mrs. Willis identified the body, according to the officers, remarking, “Yes, that’s him.”
Mrs. Willis’ confession, according to police records, is substantially as follows:
Dr. Baldwin went to her apartment last Friday morning, ostensibly to teach her to drive an automobile he had sold her. He was intoxicated and made improper advances, she said. Mrs. Willis entered a closet to get her hat and coat and while there obtained a revolver.
The doctor refused to heed her warning not to make further advances and, Mrs. Willis said, she shot him. She placed his body in a trunk, which she moved into an adjoining room, rented by Bert. C. Webster, a forest ranger. With Webster’s assistance the next day, she removed the trunk to her automobile and began driving about.
Later they hurled the trunk over the embankment and then drove to the police station.
DENIES PART
Webster denied he had any part in the slaying or knew what was in the trunk. He was held for further questioning. Mrs. Willis said she told Webster the trunk contained books and office supplies.
Webster was later booked at the city jail as a material witness, Mrs. Willis being held on a homicide charge.
Dr. Baldwin, who was 39 years old, was a graduate of Creighton College, Omaha, Neb.
-The Detroit News, 14 April 1924, p. 2.