Sheriff Roy D. Whiteaker on unfolding murder case

KRON-TV news footage from May 28, 1971 with reporter Mike Mills featuring scenes from a press conference in Yuba City, Sutter County, where Sheriff Roy D. Whiteaker confirms that so far 20 dead bodies have been discovered buried in peach orchards along the Feather River. He also fully expects more victims to be found, as they continue digging. Whiteaker then reads out the names of victims who have been positively identified so far. Most of the bodies are as yet "unidentified." Includes views of many reporters covering this story and an interview with a man who provides a basic profile of the victims in this case. Farm labor recruiter Juan Corona was arrested on May 26 as a suspect but Municipal Court Judge J.J. Hankins has imposed a total news blackout on this case. Eventually Corona was accused of murdering 25 migrant workers in Sutter County. Note that on January 18, 1973 a jury found Corona guilty of first-degree murder on all 25 counts charged and he eventually died in jail in 2019, aged 85. Opening graphic designed by Carrie Hawks.

This 16mm color reversal film print was scanned in 4K (4096 x 2970) using a Lasergraphics ScanStation film scanner, in August 2023.