Griffith's legacy was marred by his notorious shooting of his wife in 1903, a crime for which he served a year and nine months in prison.

[5] "It must be made a place of rest and relaxation for the masses, a resort for the rank and file, for the plain people," Griffith told the Los Angeles City Council when he donated the land.

The judge sentenced him to two years in San Quentin State Prison, and a $5,000 fine,[9] instructing that he be given "medical aid for his condition of alcoholic insanity".

[9] On November 4, 1904, while he was in jail, Mrs. Griffith was granted a divorce on the grounds of cruelty, and she was awarded custody of their 16-year-old son Vandell.

The offer was accepted by the City Council, but members of the Park Commission objected and instituted a court action to block the donation.

The bulk of his $1.5 million estate was bequeathed to the city for the building of the Greek Theater (1929) and Griffith Observatory (1935).

Griffith used the title of Colonel, but official records of military service which support this rank have not been found.

[1] Evidence suggests the only military title he ever held was Major of rifle practice with the California National Guard.