PHOTO GALLERY: KC's Most Notorious

We've assembled a photo gallery featuring mugshots from the Kansas City area's most notorious cases. (Though we've expanded that, in some cases, to include cases like BTK or the Lisa Montgomery / Bobbie Jo Stinnett homicide.) I'll be adding to the collection and building it up over the coming months, so if you've got suggestions, please let me know.

My goal wasn't to glorify the bad guys or ignore the victims. I'm hoping it'll serve as a short history for people who are new to Kansas City and don't know all of the high-profile cases we've had. And maybe it'll be a walk down memory lane for people who followed those cases.

Photo: Robert Stroud, the future Birdman of Alcatraz, during his stay at Leavenworth.

What's so wrong about selling flasks to teenage girls?

What, are you worried it might encourage them to, I don't know, put alcohol in their flasks and drink it? Pssh. Worrywart. I'll have you know there are a lot of other uses for flasks ... like ... and ...

Pssh. Worrywart.

Hat Tip: Many thanks, JUNGLE JIM!

Body parts hacked, plundered, sold

In Philly, a pair of brothers who ran a funeral home admitted to allowing at least 244 corpses to be carved up without families' permission and without medical tests. Skin, bones, tendons and other parts -- some of them diseased -- were then sold around the country for dental implants, knee and hip replacements, and other procedures.

Some bodies were only torsos by the time the hacking was done, said Assistant District Attorney Evangelia Manos.

The plundered corpses even included that of "Masterpiece Theatre" host Alistair Cooke.

| Sara Shepherd

Morgue File: March 24, 1990

From the original cutline: An average cell at the U.S. Penitentiary at Leavenworth is 7 feet by 12 feet. Such cells were designed for one inmate, but crowding has required that some be used to house two.

(Click the photo to see a larger, better version.)

Morgue File: Have a vice day!

From the original cutline, Jan. 6, 1973: Preparing to make the first of five arrests yesterday in Kansas City, Kansas, on obscenity charges were Vern Miller, Kansas attorney general (right), and Nick Tomasic, assistant Wyandotte County attorney.

I guess the classifieds used to be a lot more fun to read around here ...

Morgue File: Jan. 31, 1966

From the original cutline: THE FIRST ROLL CALL and inspection in the new No. 1 district police headquarters building at 717 Admiral Boulevard was carried out at 3:30 o'clock yesterday afternoon in the squad room. At the left is Sgt. James Peterson, desk sergeant at the station. The building, formerly occupied by an insurance company, was obtained two months ago, and the patrolmen, in their spare time, remodeled the interior. All No. 1 district operations will be at the station, which is commanded by Maj. William Gilmer.

Morgue File: Oct. 17, 1968

From the original cutline: PROTOTYPE OF AN EXPANDED FORCE? -- Metro Squad officers examine a staked-off murder site early in 1966. The squad, which functions across city and state lines, was formed in 1964.

(I can't find the original story this goes with. This picture was reprinted in 1968 with an article about how consultants were recommending that our local PDs merge into one force.)

Morgue File: Oct. 29, 1981

From the original cutline: Kansas City, Kan., officers investigate the scene of a double homicide at 42nd Street and Parallel Parkway in Wednesday afternoon. The vehicle that had been driven by a suspect in the shooting is in the background.

(CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO SEE THE FULL-SIZE VERSION.)

Morgue File

The date stamp is blurred on the back -- this is from either 1967 or 1987. I'm betting 1967.

The original cutline: Two new motorcycles recently purchased by the Overland Park police department are being used in daylight hours on selective traffic enforcement. The vehicles, manned by Patrolman George A. Riley (left) and C.W. Sundbye, will be dispatched to traffic trouble spots throughout the city. The motorcycles, because of size and maneuverability, are more effective in congested areas than patrol cars.

Morgue File: Knight The K9 knows no fear!

From Oct. 31, 1966: A jump by a police dog through a burning hoop marked the opening today of Law Observance week at the Ward Parkway shopping center.

The ceremony, opening a set of police enforcement displays at the shopping center, was witnessed by Edward Scheufler, former U.S. attorney, chairman of Law Observance week; Russell Millin, U.S. attorney, and Lt. Col. James E. Newman, head of the police department staff and inspection bureau. The dog is Knight, trained by Cpl. Ron Leslie of the Kansas City police department.

Morgue File: Fetch, boy, fetch

From Feb. 21, 1960: Paul Renshaw, photographer for The Star, agreed to be the "victim" in this test of a dog's prowess. Renshaw fled as Bruce, 73-pound German shepherd of the St. Louis police department, was ordered to attack. Bruce is about to throw Renshaw to the ground. Photograph is something like a self-portrait, since Renshaw set the camera for use by a police officer.

Morgue File: Jan. 5, 1993

Not a local photo. From the original cutline: Alleged burglar Frank Morales, 42, is stuck in the chimney at an Oceanside, Calif. residence when he was arrested early Monday morning by Oceanside police. He was booked in the Vista, Calif. jail on charges of burglary and resisting arrest.

Morgue File: Jan. 11, 1971

From the original cutline: Police sergeant Richard McKiddy (left) and detective John Kerby survey stolen lawn statues valued at more than $1,000 recovered by police yesterday at a residence. The officers said they believe the items were taken from residences in the northeast part of the city. Two juveniles and an adult are being questioned in connection with the thefts. (Photo by Ray Corey.)

You really should click here to get the whole effect.

Morgue File: Sept. 23, 1971

From the original cutline: Officers in Emporia, Kan., search an apartment in one of a series of drug raids in Emporia and Abilene, Kan., ordered by Vern Miller, Kansas attorney general. About 30 arrests were made.

Click here for the full image.

Morgue File: Nov. 29, 1973

From the original cutline: John W. Burks (right) and Garland Slavens, patrolmen, examine the hashish pipes and narcotics seized early today in a raid at 4027 Harrison. (Staff photo by Ray Corey.)

Morgue File: May 28, 1983

From the original cutline: Police talk with witnesses and search for clues after an armed robbery Thursday morning at an Apco station near the corner of 15th and Gennessee streets in Kansas City. Two passengers were shot.

Click for the larger, complete image.

Morgue File: Dec. 4, 1984

From the original cutline: The Kansas City Police Department is looking for these two men in connection with a recent series of armed robberies. The photograph, which was taken with a surveillance camera at a convenience store, shows two men -- one armed with a handgun and the other reaching over the store counter.

A larger version is available here.

Morgue File: Jan. 10, 1970

From the original cutline: The ransacked living room of the Frank Benanti Sr. home was given a painstaking going over last night by Floyd Foster, a detective. Three assailants broke into the home at 1104 West Ninety-seventh street, tied up and terrorized Benanti and his wife, and escaped with goods and money of undetermined value, police said.

Morgue File: Aug. 10, 1991

From the original cutline: Four teenage boys were injured Friday morning in a one-car accident near the 11400 block of Tomahawk Creek Parkway, a curving north-south road in Leawood. The 16-year-old driver of the car receives emergency medical attention from Leawood firefighter Wayne Harder. Later he got three traffic tickets from Leawood police.

Officer Steve Wilson said the car left the road and flipped over repeatedly for 215 feet. Three of the boys were treated for cuts and bruises and released from Saint Joseph Health Center. The fourth, who was riding in the front right seat, was admitted for observation. "They were very, very lucky," Officer Wilson said. For the full version of the photo, click here.

Morgue File: Nov. 2, 1989

From the original cutline: Car trouble led to more trouble for 18-year-old Jose Garcia on Wednesday afternoon. Garcia (left) crashed through the front window of the Gingiss Formalwear Center, 5809 Johnson Drive, in Mission. He was having trouble with the car at a nearby intersection and after a push from some passers-by, he tried to pull it into a parking space in front of the shop. He said the brakes failed to hold and the car jumped the curb. No one was injured. Damage to the store had not been estimated.

Morgue File: July 1, 1970

From the original cutline: Wounded by a security guard who accidentally shot two customers in an A&P food store, 4621 The Paseo, was Robert Edwards, 54 years old, who was rushed to an ambulance while a crowd stood outside the store. Edwards suffered a chest wound. The incident occurred while the guard was arresting two suspected shoplifters. -- (Kansas City Star photography by Joe Wellington)

To see a larger version of the photo, click here.

Morgue File: Hands where I can see them

From the original cutline on Sept. 25, 1968: "Shaking down four men apprehended yesterday in Kansas City, Kansas, shortly after a holdup at the Nelson pharmacy, 901 North Tenth street, Kansas City, Kansas, police look for weapons and loot."

Morgue File: June 17, 1968

From the original cutline: As a precautionary measure against burglars, the vacationing residents of this home notified their district police station of their plans. All deliveries and mail were discontinued and arrangements were made to have the lawn mowed. Patrolman Howard Haskins makes a night check at the back door. He looks for signs of prowlers.

Morgue File: Aug. 6, 1965

A 24-year-old man tried to assault a drugstore owner at 12th and Bennington, but was fatally shot instead.

Morgue File: Sept. 23, 1965

From the original cutline: A holdup victim, Floyd R. Irwin, 51, was led by police last night from the Kozak drugstore, 5744 Prospect avenue, to an ambulance. Irwin was a customer in the store and was cut over his left eye when struck with a gun by the robber. The officers are Patrolmen Ronald Robinette (left) and William Armstrong.