Roby H. Heard, an editor of the Los Angeles City News Service, who has been preparing a series of news articles on Nazi youth activities in this section of California, was found beaten to death in his home here yesterday. According to police, Heard has been probing into Nazi activities since several youths wearing Nazi-type uniforms picketed a theatre here recently when the Negro entertainer, Sammy Davis, Jr., was starred. Mr. Davis, a convert to Judaism, had then announced his forthcoming marriage to May Britt, an actress who has also been converted to Judaism. They have since married.
Two alleged members of the neo-Nazi gang had been interviewed by Mr. Heard in preparation for his series of articles. Police authorities said they have questioned these youths, whose names are being kept secret, but the suspects have not been arrested. Mr. Heard was found to have been struck from behind while at his desk in his home yesterday morning.
JTA has documented Jewish history in real-time for over a century. Keep our journalism strong by joining us in supporting independent, award-winning reporting.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
