crimesandcuriosities: On the evening of October 30th 1968, retired film star Ramon Novarro (pictured
crimesandcuriosities: On the evening of October 30th 1968, retired film star Ramon Novarro (pictured below in his younger and later years) opened the front door of his California mansion and welcomed two men inside: brothers 17 year old Tom Ferguson (17 - top left) and Paul Ferguson (22 - top right). Ramon was entirely under the impression that both men were visiting his home for sexual purposes.Novarro was a friendly host - the three men drank, played his piano, did palm readings and looked through old photographs before Paul and Ramon went into the bedroom. However, the atmosphere quickly soured. Paul and Tom turned on Ramon and began demanding a sum of $5000 from the fortune they believed he kept in his house. Novarro told them he did not keep such large amounts of cash at the property, which later turned out to be the truth, but this was not taken lightly by the brothers.The both began to punch him with such force that 69 year old Ramon began to lose consciousness. To prevent him from passing out completely, they dragged his body into the bathroom and doused him with cold water. At this point, Novarro began loudly praying for his life while his attackers restrained him with wire and took turns beating him with a cane. They struck him repeatedly on the head and genitals, leaving him bloodied and bruised, and then dumped him onto the bed while they ransacked his home. Soon after, Ramon succumbed to his brutal injuries and choked to death on his own blood. To stage the scene as though a vengeful female lover had committed the murder, the brothers wrote a message on a mirror which read: “Us girls are better than fagits (sic)” before leaving his home with all the money they could find - just $20.Despite their attempted cover-up, the Fergusons were imminently arrested, although shockingly it was Ramon who became the subject of major scrutiny throughout the trial. His sexual attraction to men became the focal point and he was arguably dehumanised by the defence, and although the judge recommended they never be released, his killers served a mere 7 years before being paroled. After their release, they went on to rape a 54 year old woman, for which they served longer sentences. Tom Ferguson committed suicide in 2005 by cutting his own throat. According to most recent reports, Paul Ferguson died in 2018 while serving a 60 year prison sentence in Missouri. -- source link