On November 9, 1937, John Bryant Kimmel, an operations manager at United Air Lines, was tragically killed in Glendale, California. The incident occurred at the home of Paul Wright, the president of United Airports Corporation of California. Wright discovered his wife, Evelyn, in an intimate embrace with Kimmel on a piano bench in their living room.
Overcome with a "white hot flame" of jealousy, Wright shot and killed both his wife and Kimmel.
The case quickly garnered significant attention due to the dramatic and emotional nature of the crime. Wright confessed to the murders, claiming that he was temporarily blinded by jealousy when he saw his wife and best friend together. His defense attorney, Jerry Giesler, faced an uphill battle as Wright had already admitted to the killings.
During the trial, Wright described the scene in vivid detail, recounting how he was awakened by a sound and found his wife and Kimmel in a compromising position. He testified that he acted in a fit of rage, unable to control his emotions. The prosecution, however, presented evidence that contradicted Wright's account, suggesting that he had been watching the couple for some time before the shooting.
The investigation revealed that Wright and his wife had been experiencing marital difficulties for months leading up to the murders. Evelyn had confided in her mother about her fears of Wright's infidelity and their financial troubles. Detectives also found physical evidence at the crime scene that challenged Wright's version of events, including the angle of the bullet wounds and the placement of a chair in the bedroom that allowed Wright to observe the living room.
Ultimately, Wright was convicted of the murders and sentenced to life in prison. The case remains a notable example of a crime of passion, driven by intense emotions and personal betrayal.
