1931 Hawaii Unsolved Mysteries: The Massey Case

Key Events and Figures

Thalia Massey: A young woman whose story of abduction and assault led to a murder and significant political tension in Hawaii.
Lieutenant Thomas Massey: Thalia's husband, involved in the murder of Joseph Kahawai.
Grace Fortescue: Thalia's mother, a socialite who played a key role in the events following her daughter's alleged attack.
Joseph Kahawai: One of the accused in Thalia’s case, later murdered.
Clarence Darrow: Famous criminal defense lawyer, hired to defend those accused of Kahawai's murder.

September 12, 1931: Thalia Massey attended a gathering at the Olawai Inn but left for a solitary walk.
Thalia's Allegation: She claimed to have been abducted and raped by several men.
Police Investigation: Thalia provided a car and license plate description matching one involved in a traffic incident.

Initial Trial: Five young men (David Takai, Horace Eda, Henry Chang, Benny Ahakuelo, Joseph Kahawai) were tried for rape; resulted in a mistrial.
Community Reaction: The mistrial led to outrage and political tension, with calls for military governance in Hawaii.
Murder of Joseph Kahawai: He was abducted and killed by Thomas Massey, Grace Fortescue, and two Navy men.

Trial for Murder: The accused were defended by Clarence Darrow; all were convicted of manslaughter.
Presidential Involvement: President Herbert Hoover intervened to prevent Hawaii from losing its civilian government.
Governor's Sentence Reduction: Governor Lawrence Judd reduced the sentences to an hour.

Thalia's Departure: Left Hawaii, leading to the legal release of rape case defendants.
Doubt on Thalia's Testimony: Evidence and witness accounts questioned the validity of her story.
Posthumous Revelations: Thalia had a vision impairment; Albert Jones later claimed responsibility for shooting Kahawai.

Disappearance of the Murder Weapon: Said to be thrown into quicksand by Thalia's sister.
Identity of Thalia's Assailants: Remains uncertain due to lack of evidence and her impaired vision.