Killing of Johnny Stompanato

Lana Turner, Johnny Stompanato, and Cheryl Crane, March 1958

Killing of Johnny Stompanato

The killing of Johnny Stompanato occurred on April 4, 1958, when the American mobster and bodyguard was fatally stabbed by actress Lana Turner's daughter, Cheryl Crane, in self-defense. The incident took place at Turner's home in Beverly Hills, California.

Background

Johnny Stompanato was a known associate of mobster Mickey Cohen and had a reputation for being violent and abusive. He had been in a relationship with Lana Turner, a popular Hollywood actress at the time, which was tumultuous and marked by Stompanato's possessive and controlling behavior.

Incident

On the night of April 4, 1958, an argument between Lana Turner and Johnny Stompanato escalated, leading to Stompanato threatening Turner with violence. In a moment of self-defense, Cheryl Crane, Turner's 14-year-old daughter, intervened and stabbed Stompanato with a kitchen knife, resulting in his death.

Aftermath

Cheryl Crane was charged with the killing of Johnny Stompanato but was later acquitted by a coroner's jury, which ruled the stabbing as justifiable homicide. The incident garnered significant media attention and became a sensationalized story in Hollywood.

Legacy

The killing of Johnny Stompanato remains a notable event in Hollywood history, shedding light on issues of domestic violence and self-defense. The case also raised questions about the influence of organized crime in the entertainment industry during that era.