Extortion, Pasadena, 1954

Mattie Mae Heath and Donald P. Heath (both 23) sent this letter to Mr. and Mrs. Rudolph W. Caspers after seeing a newspaper ad where Caspers’ picture appeared as a member of the board of directors for the Mutual Loan & Savings co. The Casperses left the $10,000 package at the designated spot where the Heath’s had instructed, but when the Heath’s arrived to collect, they realized the package was a dummy and the police began to swarm.

In a strange turn of events, Mr. Caspers paid Mrs. Heath’s bail when Mr. Heath appealed to him, telling him:

 “I am ready to take whatever punishment the court sees fit. But I am begging you to have pity on my wife…. She is a sick girl, and if she is forced to be separated from her children it will kill her.”

Mr. Caspers replied: 

“Mrs. Caspers and have keen compassion for your three innocent children… For that reason we have decided it would be a merciful act to assist Mrs. Heath so that she will be with the children until the time of trial.”