Did Lana Turner Commit a Murder to Save Her Family?
This Writer Believes So (Exclusive)
A notorious incident in Hollywood’s past is being reexamined by journalist Casey Sherman, who offers a fresh perspective on the case.
In his recently released book titled A Murder in Hollywood: The Uncovered Tale of Tinseltown’s Most Startling Crime, set to hit shelves on Feb. 13 courtesy of Sourcebooks, Sherman delves into the well-known 1958 slaying of mobster Johnny Stompanato by Cheryl Crane, then a 14-year-old, who was the daughter of actress Lana Turner and actor/restaurateur Stephen Crane.
Sherman shares that his investigative process involved scrutinizing various documents, including extensive FBI files and contemporary newspaper accounts.
He mentions taking a comprehensive look at the case to uncover the dynamics between Lana Turner, Johnny Stompanato, and the crime boss Mickey Cohen, who orchestrated an exploitation and extortion scheme targeting Turner.
Lana Turner, celebrated for her performances in movies such as Peyton Place (1957) and Imitation of Life (1959), held a prominent position in Hollywood during the 1950s and 1960s, not only for her acting prowess but also due to her high-profile romantic liaisons with figures like Frank Sinatra, Artie Shaw, and purportedly Clark Gable.
A Murder in Hollywood traces the trajectory of the Hollywood starlet’s career, from her fortuitous encounter at a soda fountain with Hollywood Reporter founder William R. Wilkerson to her meteoric rise as a “sweater girl.”
The narrative also explores her relationship with Stompanato and sheds light on Cohen’s involvement in the unfolding events.
Cheryl Crane bore witness to Stompanato’s abusive behavior throughout his interactions with her mother.
In a heated altercation on April 4, 1958, Stompanato issued threats against Turner, Crane, and Turner’s mother, Mildred Cowan.
Fearing for her mother’s safety, Crane intervened with an eight-inch knife, leading to Stompanato’s fatal stabbing as he walked into the blade.
A jury of coroners later justified the act as self-defense.
Subsequently, Crane grappled with mental health challenges, made suicide attempts, and navigated a complex relationship with her mother until Turner’s passing in 1995.
Sherman reflects on the fluctuating nature of Turner and Crane’s bond, acknowledging the impact of the sensational episode on their lives.
Despite the official ruling, Sherman, considering Turner a symbol of feminism and an early proponent of the #MeToo movement, maintains his belief that Turner acted to safeguard her family when she killed Stompanato.
Amidst the commotion in the neighborhood, author Dominick Dunne, residing nearby, rushed to Lana Turner’s residence upon learning of the incident.
Observing the activities outside Turner’s home, Dunne expressed his desire to be privy to the unfolding discussions between Turner and her legal counsel, Jerry Giesler.
Giesler arrived at the police headquarters with Lana and Cheryl, where Chief Anderson sought Cheryl’s firsthand account of the events.
Lana interjected nervously, prompting Anderson to request Cheryl’s version of the incident.
Cheryl, recounting the events as advised by Giesler, narrated the sequence of events leading to Stompanato’s demise, impressing both Lana and Giesler with her confident testimony.
Subsequently, Lana elaborated on her attempts to sever ties with Stompanato, citing her fear of him.
Giesler intervened, asserting that the killing constituted justifiable homicide, emphasizing the legal safeguards surrounding minors in California.
As Cheryl was escorted to a cell by a police matron, Lana vociferously protested, desiring to accompany her daughter.
Lana’s distress heightened when she saw Cheryl confined behind bars, prompting her to embrace her daughter tightly, offering reassurance amidst the turmoil.
Promising to return the next day to fetch Cheryl, Lana consoled her daughter, expressing her unwavering support while grappling with her own culpability in the tragic events.
The emotional exchange between Lana and Cheryl culminated in a poignant moment of shared vulnerability before Lana exited the cell, leaving the metallic clink of the closing bars resonating in the air.
Cheryl, grappling with emotions beyond her years, confessed her inability to cry, prompting the guard to offer solace and advice on coping with the overwhelming circumstances.
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