True Crime All The Time – Episode Summary

Episode Title: Bernard Finch and Carole Tregoff
Hosts: Mike Ferguson & Mike “Gibby” Gibson
Date: February 24, 2025
Episode Number: 423

Overview

This episode explores the scandalous and deadly case of Dr. Bernard Finch and his receptionist-turned-lover, Carole Tregoff. The hosts dig deep into a true crime story from 1950s-1960s Southern California, traversing greed, infidelity, a murder-for-hire plot gone wrong, and the shocking aftermath. Not only did this case rivet the nation with its tabloid-esque twists and media circus, it also raises uncomfortable questions about power, privilege, and justice—many of which ring familiar even today.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Background: The Finch and Tregoff Saga

• Dr. Bernard Finch was a wealthy, high-profile doctor in the San Gabriel Valley, known for his lavish lifestyle, medical success, and notorious personal life.
• Early pattern of affairs: Finch left his first wife for his neighbor, Barbara; their former spouses even married each other (“like a love quad” – 09:28).
• Finch’s charisma was soured by rumors of a drinking problem, excessive malpractice suits, and an air of impunity that came with his status and wealth (“Sometimes when people make a lot of money... they do feel untouchable.” – Gibson, 14:06).

Notable Quote:

“He was a prominent local figure... gave lectures about cancer, sponsored a girls softball team, and put his name on ads for Nixon's congressional campaign.”
— Ferguson (06:43)

2. Affair & Motives

• In 1958, Finch, now in his 40s, began an affair with 22-year-old Carole Tregoff, his married receptionist (“Kind of cliche…having an affair with your secretary.” – Gibson, 04:47).
• Carole was married to “Jimmy Papa,” a bodybuilder and aspiring model—Ferguson and Gibson have fun with the LA fitness scene stereotypes at 17:17.
• Ensuing marital conflict: both spouses discovered the affair (unclear exactly how; accounts differ). Jimmy felt betrayed, especially as Finch let him borrow his car while cheating with Carole (“Dr. Finch had this beautiful Chrysler and he let me drive it while he was banging my wife.” – Jimmy, as quoted by Ferguson, 19:56).

Notable Quote:

“Carol wouldn’t go for an old man like that in his 40s.”
— Jimmy Papa, as quoted by Ferguson (21:20)

3. Escalation: Divorce and Financial Stakes

• Carole sought divorce; Barbara, Bernard’s wife, soon did the same, tightening financial controls. Bernard’s lavish empire was at risk in the settlement (“She had to approve every withdrawal Bernard wanted… major impact.” – Ferguson, 26:35).
• Barbara secured control over nearly all assets and a restraining order—pushing Finch towards desperation.
• Bernard and Carole felt increasingly cornered, both personally and financially, and began contemplating murder as an exit strategy from legal and marital woes.

4. The Crime (July 18, 1959)

• The Murder Plot:
  • Bernard and Carole drive from Las Vegas to West Covina, carrying a kit with syringes, rope, carving knife, and sedatives (“I saw the exact same kit…” – Ferguson jokes, 29:38).
  • They wait for Barbara, but she arrives home late; household governess Marie Ann Lidholm and Finch’s children are inside.
• Attack and Chaos:
  • Bernard attacks Barbara, pistol-whipping her; assaults Marie Ann, forcing both women into a car (“He had attacked Barbara, pistol-whipping her so hard he fractured her skull.” — Ferguson, 31:30).
  • Both women escape; Barbara manages to get next door but is shot in the back by Bernard as she nearly reaches safety (33:12).
• Crime Scene Aftermath:
  • Bernard flees, leaving Carole hidden at the scene; he swaps cars en route to Las Vegas (mid-50s era, unlocked cars with keys inside—“car theft not a big issue back then” – Gibson, 35:10).
  • The brutal murder, especially so close to the safety of Barbara’s in-laws, shocks the community and Bernard’s own father (33:13).

Notable Moment:

“Ten more feet, and she would have reached the safety of my house. My God, what a tragedy. My son is sick…”
— Bernard's father, quoted at (33:13)

5. Investigation & Initial Defense

• Bernard is tracked to Las Vegas and arrested; at first, he claims to have been in Vegas all night, but Carole contradicts him (36:50).
• Both try to claim Barbara drew a gun on them and was shot accidentally in a struggle (“Prosecutors noted that the evidence showed Barbara was shot in the back from about four feet away.” – Ferguson, 55:09).
• The so-called “murder kit” becomes a flashpoint; Bernard and Carole attempt weak explanations (“the rope was just a line for his new boat…” – Ferguson, 56:12).

6. Trial Circus and Media Sensation

• Finch hires top LA attorney Grant Cooper; Carole's father spends his savings for Jerry Geisler. Both expect acquittal.
• Media and Public Reaction:
  • “Reporters were smitten” with Carole, whom her lawyer painted as “a girl in love,” while Finch posed for photos with cops (42:08).
• Prosecution asserts Bernard didn’t want to divorce Barbara because she’d take most of the estate. There’s testimony they tried to hire a hitman (John Patrick Cody, who just took their cash and ran, never intending to kill Barbara), and when that failed, they acted themselves (“Before you kill her, tell her the bullet came from Bernie.” – Cody quoting Finch, 52:34).

7. Testimony & Contradictions

• Key witnesses:
  • Marie Ann Lidholm (governess): Describes both the murder night and previous physical abuse/attempted kills—letters corroborate her story (50:00).
  • John Patrick Cody: Testifies he was paid $1,400 for a hit but just kept the money. The defense claimed he was just to seduce/follow Barbara for divorce evidence, which Cody denies.

Notable Quote:

“If you can seduce her, do it. Let’s get some pictures and then I can divorce her for being unfaithful.”
— Gibson reenacting defense theory (52:11)

• Defense arguments range from blaming Barbara’s supposed “frigidity” for Bernard’s cheating to painting the murder as a tragic accident after Barbara allegedly pulled a gun (“He said the carving knife inside was a gift for Carole’s apartment, and the rope…for his new boat.” – Ferguson, 56:12).
• Prosecution points to damning forensic evidence and premeditated planning (murder kit presence, testimony about earlier attempts to kill Barbara).

8. Trials, Verdicts & Shocking Justice

• Hung Juries & Retrials:
  • First trial ends with deadlocked jury (two voting to acquit Finch, eight for Carole’s innocence – 64:09).
  • Second trial, another mistrial as jurors can’t agree on culpability.
  • Third trial: Both found guilty—Finch (first degree murder), Carole (second degree) and conspiracy.
• Sentences & Parole:
  • Both sentenced to life with parole possibility after just 7 years (“Put on the brakes there—seven years for that?” – Gibson, 65:25).
  • Carole was released after 8 years (1969); Bernard paroled in 1971. Staggeringly, Finch regains his medical license in Missouri and, later, even in California (1974).

Notable Quote:

“I am shocked about a number of things in this case. Number one, that they got out as quickly as they did. But number two, that he was able to practice medicine in multiple states, especially… California, where he was a convicted murderer.”
— Ferguson (67:47)

• Carole reportedly lived quietly under a new name, declining interviews.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Motive & Modern Parallels:

  “Even though it’s an older case, the motives for why it happened aren’t much different than many of the cases that we cover... The guy who doesn’t want to be married, but doesn’t want to lose his money.”
  — Ferguson (71:18)

• On 1950s Justice:

  “Life with the possibility of parole after seven years… that was shocking to me.”
  — Ferguson (70:48)

• On Defense Storytelling:

  “I have never heard a bigger load of horseshit in my entire life. This is literally making me sick to my stomach to read some of this stuff.”
  — Ferguson (63:45)

Important Segment Timestamps

• Case Introduction & Overview: 03:45–06:43
• Finch’s Marital History & Odd Spouse Switch: 07:30–09:33
• Affair With Carole & Jimmy’s Reaction: 16:27–22:06
• Divorces & Financial Motive: 25:33–28:41
• Planning the Murder: 28:41–30:14
• The Attack and Murder: 31:30–33:12
• Aftermath & Arrests: 34:20–37:31
• Trial(s) and Testimony: 40:48–64:09
• Verdicts, Sentencing, and Parole: 65:12–67:47
• Hosts’ Final Thoughts: 68:44–71:36

Tone & Highlights

The hosts maintain their signature conversational, wry humor even in dark territory, gently poking fun at the era’s absurdities, the suspects’ far-fetched alibis, and their own mutual banter:

• Regularly riffing on vintage SoCal culture, bodybuilders, and the “old movie trope” of the doctor/secretary affair.
• Periodic asides expressing genuine shock at the legal system’s outcomes and dubious rationalizations by the suspects.

Summary Takeaways

The Bernard Finch and Carole Tregoff case stands as a cautionary tale about how power, greed, and old-fashioned narcissism can twist even the most privileged lives into tragedy. Its media frenzy, shocking parole, and the fact a convicted murderer could once regain his medical license remain startling reminders of just how baffling true crime can be.

Listeners interested in forgotten “big timer” true crime cases—and in the foibles of those who think they can outwit justice—will find this episode a gripping, sobering, and at times darkly humorous exploration.