Who was Carl Alfalfa Switzer? Hollywood has had no shortage of sordid scandals or murder mysteries. The macabre fascination of the general public can hinder criminal investigations. Facts often remain hidden behind headlines, and gossip quickly fills the airwaves. Taking into consideration this environment, the magnitude of unsolved cases in Hollywood should come as no surprise to anyone. The search for truth about Alfalfa or Carl Switzer can easily become bogged down and the case eventually becomes another Glittertown legend. Alfalfa, first Little Rascals, 1934 Of these cases, one is seldom mentioned and is virtually unknown to younger generations. With the passing of so many years, few seem to remember the death of Carl Switzer, who was best known during the 1930s and 40s for his portrayal of the youthful, freckle-faced Alfalfa character of the Our Gang comedy series. His early stardom jarred his entire life. His childhood on and off the set was adventuresome and gainful, but in later years took a downward spiral. Was Switzer murdered in cold blood? Or was Carl Switzers death justifiable? Switzer had agreed to train a hunting dog for Moses Samuel Stiltz. The dog was lost, having run after a bear, and Switzer offered a $50 reward for its return. A few days later, a man found the dog and brought it to the Studio City bar where Switzer then worked. Switzer paid the man $35 and bought him $15 worth of drinks. Several days later, Switzer and his friend Jack Piott, a 37-year-old unit still photographer, decided that Moses Stiltz should repay Switzer the reward money for the dog. Shortly before 7:00 p.m. that evening, January 21, 1957, Switzer and Piott went to Rita Corrigans home in Mission Hills, where Stiltz was staying, to collect the money they felt he owed him. Stiltz later testified before the coroners jury that Switzer had banged on the front door, saying, Let me in, or Ill kick in the door. Once inside, he and Stiltz began to argue. Switzer said, I want that 50 bucks you owe me now, and I mean now. When Stiltz refused to give it to him, the men began to fight. Switzer allegedly struck Stiltz with a glass-domed clock, which caused him to bleed from his left eye. Stiltz retreated to his bedroom and returned with a .38-caliber revolver. Switzer grabbed the gun, resulting in a shot being fired that struck the ceiling. Switzer forced Stiltz into a closet, although Stiltz had regained his revolver. Switzer allegedly pulled a switchblade knife and screamed, Im going to kill you! Fearing Switzer was about to attack, Stiltz shot him in the groin. Switzer suffered massive internal bleeding and was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital
Posted on: Sat, 23 Aug 2014 05:14:36 +0000