Mickey Thompson's ex-business partner Michael Goodwin was convicted in the 1988 murders of Thompson and his wife Trudy.
Thompson, circa 1963
On the morning of March 16, 1988 Mickey and Trudy Thompson were murderedin front of their home in California's San Gabriel Mountains. The doublemurder went unsolved for 18 years until today when, in a Pasadenacourthouse, Thompson's ex-business partner Michael Goodwin was convictedfor the killings.
In 1978 Thompson partnered with Goodwin to bring outdoor racing indoors.The partnership, however, quickly grew sour and legal battles overallegedly stolen money ruined the business partneris relationship.Goodwin was a prime suspect in the murders from the beginning.
After 14 years, no arrests were made in the case but Thompson's sister,Colleen Campbell, was determined to see the case solved and never gaveup in her quest to bring the killers to justice. A major breakthrough inthe case occurred in 2001 when two new witnesses came forward. Theirtestimonies ultimately helped lead to the conviction of Goodwin.
Thompson, an American racing legend, was once one of the fastest man onthe planet, and set an amazing 395 speed records including aworld-record run of 406 mph in April, 1960. His impact on the automotiveand racing world is immeasurable.
"I sent a note to Mickey's sister, Collene, congratulating her onjustice after she spent so many years fighting for it. I assured herthat we would help keep Mickey and Trudy's names from fading away.Perhaps that is the best sentiment we can offer." -- David Freiburger,Editor-in-Chief, Hot Rod and Car Craft Magazines.
For more in-depth coverage on the case, please visit either www.latimes.com or KABC ABC7 TV Los Angeles