William C. Doran

Summary

William C. Doran (December 21, 1884 – January 23, 1965)[1][2] was an associate justice of the California Court of Appeal, Second Appellate District, Division 1, from October 14, 1935, until 1958.

William C. Doran in the late 1920s

Biography edit

Born in Cincinnati, Ohio, Doran moved to California at the age of 12.[1][3] He received his law degree from the University of Southern California Law School in 1907 and was admitted to the bar in July of that year. He was a deputy district attorney in Los Angeles County from 1910 to 1917 and chief deputy from 1917 to 1923.[3] In 1921, Doran assisted with the prosecution of Fatty Arbuckle for the rape and murder of Virginia Rappe.[4] Doran also played a key role in the Ku Klux Klan raid in Inglewood, California, that precipitated the outlawing of the Klan in the state.[5][6]

In 1923, Doran was made a judge of the Los Angeles County Superior Court, a position he held from January 2, 1923 to October 13, 1935.[3] In 1935, Doran was elevated by Governor Frank Merriam to a seat on the California District Court of Appeal.[1]

Personal life and death edit

Doran and his wife, Juanita, had two sons, William E. and John (nicknamed Jack).[1] Doran died at his home in Los Angeles, California, at the age of 80, having experienced a lengthy period of disability due to a series of strokes.[1] Following his death, Doran's estate was estimated to be worth $500,000.[2]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d e "Rites Held for Retired Judge W. C. Doran", The Los Angeles Times (January 26, 1965), Pt. II, p. 2.
  2. ^ a b "$500,000 Estate Left By Judge", Los Angeles Evening Citizen News (March 4, 1965), p. B-8.
  3. ^ a b c Courts information of the State of California.
  4. ^ "Injury With Ice Now Believed Rappe Death Cause", The Pomona Bulletin (September 22, 1921), p. 1.
  5. ^ Albert Nathan, "Klan Records Show Leader Planned Night Raid; Incriminating Papers to Be Given Woolwine; Documents Covering Ku Klux Plots Will be Presented New Grand Jury to be Drawn Today; Victim of Masked Mob Says He Was Flogged by Klansmen; City Council Acts to Oust Members of Klan; Fresno District Attorney Obtains Evidence Here Against Ku Klux in His County", Los Angeles Times (April 29, 1922), section 1, p. 1-2.
  6. ^ "Klansmen Indicted; Forty-Three Are Accused; Grand Jury Action Based on the Inglewood Raid; Chiefs Named; Men Will Surrender This Morning, Says Attorney; Will Give Bond", Los Angeles Times (June 8, 1922), section 1, p. 1.