Boyd P. Finkel

Boyd P. Finkel (1946 - October 15, 1985) a gay man from Irvine, California, was murdered by Scott Andrew Stockwell – a drifter picked up by Finkel, who asked to stay at Finkel's home. Stockwell would later claim self-defense, after Finkel and anther man allegedly sexually assaulted him.

Finkel, 39, owned a Newport Beach advertising firm and three wholesale tire and auto supply stores. He owned a Ferarri, a Porsche, and several Mercedes. Finkel divided his time between homes in Washington, D.C., and Southern California.

He often cruised the highways in search of sex, and was twice arrested by undercover vice officers.

He stood about 5 ft. 6 in. tall, weight 130 lbs., and had no history of violence.¹⁾

Finkel was last seen alive on the evening of October 15, 1985, dining with business associates in Irvine.²⁾

Stockwell, 21, was hitchhiking on the south shoulder of the San Diego Freeway, near Santa Monica Boulevard, on the evening of October 15.³⁾ He had recently been discharged from the Navy, and was drifting through Southern California, occasionally staying with strangers.⁴⁾

Stockwell stood four inches over Finkel, at 5 ft. 10 in., and outweighed Stockwell by 40 to 50 lbs.⁵⁾

On October 15, 1983, Finkel picked Stockwell up while the younger man was hitchhiking on the San Diego Freeway. Stockwell asked to stay at Finkel's for the night. Finkel agreed and drove Stockwell to his home.⁶⁾

Stockwell later testified that Finkel gave him spiked cocktails and, with the help of another man, sexually assaulted him in the master bedroom of Finkel's home. Stockwell testified that he tried to escape through the garage afterwards, but Finkel blocked his way. He then picked up a rubber mallet and began hitting Finkel. Stockwell said he blacked out at some point during the murder.⁷⁾

Irvine police detective Larry Montgomery later said Finkel had been sitting on his living room couch reading the Sunday comics when the killer approached him from behind and attacked with the hammer.⁸⁾