Defendants: Julius and Ethel Rosenberg and Morton SobellCrime Charged: Conspiracy to commit wartime espionageChief Defense Lawyers: Alexander Bloch, Emanuel H. Bloch, Fyke Farmer, John Finerty and Daniel Marshall for the Rosenbergs; Edward Kuntz and Harold Phillips for SobellChief Prosecutors: Roy M. Cohn, John Foley, James Kilsheimer Ill, Myles Lane, and Irving H. SaypolJudge: Irving R. KaufmanPl…
Appellants: Benjamin Davis, Eugene Dennis, John Gates, Gil Green, Gus Hall, Irving Potash, Jack Stachel, Robert Thompson, John Williamson, Henry Winston, and Carl WinterDefendant: United StatesAppellants Claims: That the Smith Act, under which appellants were found guilty, violates the First Amendment and other provisions of the Bill of Rights of the U.S. ConstitutionChief Defense Lawyers: Philip …
Defendant: Gertrude MorrisCrime Charged: MurderChief Defense Lawyer: Jake EhrlichChief Prosecutor: Norman ElkingtonJudge: Harry J. NeubarthPlace: San Francisco, CaliforniaDate of Trial: January 22-February 11, 1952Verdict: Guilty: manslaughterSentence: 1-10 years SIGNIFICANCE: In this extraordinary murder trial, a dynamic defense counsel found himself fighting not just the prosecution but his clie…
Defendant: Robert W. GrowCrimes Charged: The compromising of classified security information by failing to provide adequate security for the protection of a personal diaryChief Defense Lawyer: Robert E. JosephPresiding Officer: John S. DwinellCourt: Hubert D. Hoover and seven other court membersPlace: Washington, D.C.Date of Trial: July 23-29, 1952Verdict: Guilty on five counts SIGNIFICANCE: The R…
Plaintiff: Quentin ReynoldsDefendants: Westbrook Pegler, The Hearst Corporation, and Hearst Consolidated PublicationsPlaintiff Claims: That a certain column published by the defendants on November 29, 1949 libeled the plaintiffChief Defense Lawyer: Charles HenryChief Lawyers for Plaintiff: Walter S. Beck, Paul Martinson, and Louis NizerJudge: Edward WeinfeldPlace: New York, New YorkDates of Trial:…
Appellants: Several parents of African-American children of elementary school age in Topeka, KansasDefendant Board of Education of Topeka, KansasAppellants Claim: That the segregation of white and African-American children in the public schools of Topeka solely on the basis of race denied the African-American children equal protection under the law guaranteed by the Fourteenth AmendmentChief Defen…
Defendant: Samuel SheppardCrime Charged: MurderChief Defense Lawyers: First trial: William J. Corrigan, William Corrigan, Jr., Fred Garmone, and Arthur E. Petersilge; Second trial: F. Lee BaileyChief Prosecutors: First trial: Saul S. Danaceau, John J. Mahon, and Thomas J. Parrino; Second trial: John CorriganJudges: First trial: Edward C. Blythin; Second trial: Francis J. TaltyPlace: Cleveland, Ohi…
Plaintiffs: Smokers, their next of kin, and the state and federal governmentsDefendants: Philip Morris Company; R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company; Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corporation; Lorillard Tobacco Corporation; The Liggett Group, Inc.; American Tobacco Company; British American Tobacco, P.L.C.; and other tobacco-related entitiesPlace: VariousDates of Trials: 1954-present SIGNIFICANCE: Th…
Defendant: Burton W. AbbottCrimes Charged: Murder and kidnappingChief Defense Lawyer: Stanley D. WhitneyChief Prosecutors: Frank Coakley and Folger EmersonJudge: Wade SnookPlace: Oakland, CaliforniaDates of Trial: November 7, 1955-January 25, 1956Verdict: GuiltySentence: Death SIGNIFICANCE: Shrewd advocacy and the marshaling of highly charged emotions overcame evidential limitations in one of Cali…
Defendants: Wilhelm Reich, Michael Silvert, the Wilhelm Reich FoundationCrime Charged: Criminal contempt of courtChief Defense Lawyers: Wilhelm Reich and Michael Silvert, representing themselves; William Moise, representing the Wilhelm Reich Foundation; on appeal, Charles HaydonChief Prosecutors: Joseph L. Maguire, Peter MillsJudge: George C. SweeneyPlace: Portland, MaineDate of Trial: May 3-7, 19…
Defendant: Matthew McKeonCrimes Charged: Drinking in enlisted barracks, oppression of 74 recruits, culpable negligence in the deaths of six recruits, oppression of the six dead recruits, drinking in front of a recruitChief Defense Lawyers: Emile Zola Berman, Thomas CostelloChief Prosecutors: Charles B. Sevier, Frederick M. Haden, William Otten, Jr.Judges: Edward L. Hutchinson (President), Nicholas…
Defendant: Cheryl Christina CraneCrime Investigated: Homicide of Johnny StompanatoChief Defense Lawyer: Jerry GeislerChief Prosecutor: William B. McKessonCoroner: Theodore J. CurpheyPlace: Los Angeles, CaliforniaDate of Inquest: April 11, 1958Verdict: Justifiable homicide SIGNIFICANCE: The explosive plot and star-studded cast of this particular Hollywood spectacle once again showed that the cellul…
Defendants: Charles Starkweather, Caril FugateCrime Charged: MurderChief Defense Lawyers: T. Clement Gaughan, William F. Matschullat, John McArthurChief Prosecutors: Elmer Scheele, Dale FahrnbruchJudge: Harry A. SpencerPlace: Lincoln, NebraskaDates of Trials: Starkweather: May 5-23, 1958; Fugate: October 27-November 21, 1958Verdict: GuiltySentence: Starkweather: death; Fugate: life imprisonment SI…
Defendants: Raymond Bernard Finch and Carole TregoffCrime Charged: MurderChief Defense Lawyers: Don Bruggold, Grant Cooper, Rexford Egan, and Robert A. Neeb, Jr.Chief Prosecutors: First trial: Clifford C. Crail, William H. McKesson, and Fred N. Whichello; Second trial: Clifford C. Crail; Third trial: Clifford C. CrailJudges: First trial: Walter R. Evans; Second trial: LeRoy Dawson; Third trial: Da…
Defendants: Richard E. Hickock and Perry E. SmithCrime Charged: MurderChief Defense Lawyers: Arthur Fleming and Harrison SmithChief Prosecutors: Logan Greene and Duane WestJudge: Roland H. TatePlace: Garden City, KansasDates of Trial: March 22-29, 1960Verdict: GuiltySentence: Death by hanging SIGNIFICANCE: The case provided a classic example of the limitations of the M'Naghten Test by which…
Appellant: Bruce Boynton.Defendant: Commonwealth of VirginiaAppellant Claim: Unlawful arrestChief Defense Lawyer: Walter E. RogersChief Lawyer for Appellant: Thurgood MarshallJustices: Hugo L. Black, William J. Brennan, Jr., Tom C. Clark, William 0. Douglas, Felix Frankfurter, John Marshall Harlan, Potter Stewart, Earl Warren, Charles E. Whittaker.Place: Washington, D.C.Date of Decision: December …
Defendant: Clarence Earl GideonCrime Charged: Breaking and enteringChief Defense Lawyers: First trial: None; Second trial: W. Fred TurnerChief Prosecutor: First trial: William E. Harris; Second trial: J. Frank Adams, J. Paul Griffith, and William E. HarrisJudge: Robert L. McCrary, Jr.Place: Panama City, FloridaDates of Trials: First trial: August 4, 1961;Second trial: August 5, 1963Verdict: First …
Plaintiff: John Henry FaulkDefendants: Aware, Inc., Vincent Hartnett, and Laurence A. JohnsonPlaintiff Claim: Damages for libel and conspiracyChief Defense Lawyer: Thomas A. BolanChief Lawyer for Plaintiff: Louis NizerJudge: Abraham N. GellerPlace: New York, New YorkDates: April 23—July 29, 1962Verdict: Award for compensatory damages in the amount of $1 million, plus $2.5 million in punitiv…
Defendant: Ernesto MirandaCrimes Charged: Kidnapping and rapeChief Defense Lawyers: First trial: Alvin Moore; second Trial: John FlynnChief Prosecutors: First trial: Laurence Turoff; second trial: Robert CorbinJudges: First trial: Yale McFate; second trial: Lawrence K. WrenPlace: Phoenix, ArizonaDates of Trials: June 20-27, 1963; February 15-March 1, 1967Verdict: Guilty, both trialsSentences: 20-3…
Defendants: Gregory Ulas Powell, Jimmy Lee SmithCrime Charged: MurderChief Defense Lawyers: John Moore, Kathryn McDonald, Ray Smith, Gregory Powell, Irving Kanarek, Charles Maple, William A. Drake, Charles HollopeterChief Prosecutors: Marshall Schulman, Philip Halpin, Joseph Busch, Raymond Byrne, Sheldon Brown, Dino FulgoniJudges: Twelve judges, the most important being Mark Brandler, Alfred Perac…
Plaintiff: Georgetown College, now known as Georgetown UniversityDefendant: Jessie E. JonesPlaintiff Claim: That the courts should overrule Jones' refusal to permit a blood transfusion for his wife, who was being treated in the school's hospitalChief Defense Lawyers: Ralph H. Deckelbaum and Bernard MargoliusChief Lawyers for Plaintiff: Peter R. Taft, Harold Ungar, and Edward Bennett …
Defendants: James R. HoffaCrimes Charged: First trial: jury tampering; Second trial: mail and wire fraud, conspiracyChief Defense Lawyers: First trial: Harry Berke, James Haggerty, Jacques Schiffer, and Harvey Silets; Second trial: Daniel Ahearn, James Haggerty, and Maurice Walsh.Chief Prosecutors: First trial: John Hooker and James Neal; Second trial: William Bittman and Charles SmithJudges: Firs…
Defendant: Jack Leon RubyCrime Charged: MurderChief Defense Lawyers: Melvin Mouron Belli, Phil Burleson, Robert B. Denson, Elmer Gertz, Tom Howard, William Kuntsler, and Joe TonahillChief Prosecutors: William F. Alexander, Jim Bowie, Henry Menasco Wade, Jr., and Frank WattsJudge: Joe Brantley BrownPlace: Dallas, TexasDates of Trial: March 4-14, 1964Verdict: Guilty SIGNIFICANCE: The significance of…
Appellant: The New York Times CompanyAppellee: L.B. SullivanAppellant Claims: That the Supreme Court of Alabama's affirmation of a libel judgment against the Times violated the free speech and due process rights as defined by the First and Fourteenth Amendments of the Constitution and certain Supreme Court decisions; also, that an advertisement published in the Times was not libelous and th…
Appellants: Charles Lee Buxton and Estelle GriswoldDefendant: State of ConnecticutAppellants Claim: That Connecticut's birth-control laws violated its citizens' constitutional rightsChief Defense Lawyer: Joseph B. ClarkChief Lawyers for Appellants: Tom Emerson, Fowler Harper, Harriet Pilpel, and Catherine RorabackJustices: Hugo L. Black, William J. Brennan, Jr., Tom C. Clark, William…
Defendants: Lenny Bruce, Ella Solomon, and Howard L. SolomonCrime Charged: ObscenityChief Defense Lawyers: Martin Garbus and Efraim LondonChief Prosecutor: Richard H. KuhJudges: J. Randall Creel, John M. Murtagh, and Kenneth M. PhippsPlace: New York, New YorkDates of Trial: June 16-December 21, 1964Verdict: Lenny Bruce: Guilty; Howard L. Solomon: Guilty; Ella Solomon: not GuiltySentence: Lenny Bru…
Defendant: Richard RoblesCrime Charged: MurderChief Defense Attorneys: Frederick H. Block and Jack S. HoffingerChief Prosecutor: John F. KeenanJudge: Irwin D. DavidsonPlace: New York, New YorkDates of Trial: October 18-December 1, 1965Verdict: GuiltySentence: Life imprisonment SIGNIFICANCE: The notoriety of two murders for which Robles was eventually convicted contributed to the legal problems of …
Defendants: William Orville Eaton, Eugene Thomas, and Collie Leroy Wilkins, Jr.Crime Charged: Felony conspiracy to deny a citizen's constitutional rightsChief Defense Lawyer: Arthur HanesChief Prosecutor: John DoarJudge: Frank M. Johnson, Jr.Place: Montgomery, AlabamaDates of Trial: November 29-December 3, 1965Verdict: GuiltySentence: 10 years imprisonment SIGNIFICANCE: Twice frustrated in …
Defendants: Candace Mossier and Melvin Lane PowersCrime Charged: MurderChief Defense Lawyers: Henry Carr, Percy Foreman, Walter E. McGwinn, Marian Rosen, Harvey St. Jean, and Clyde WoodyChief Prosecutors: Richard E. Gerstein, Arthur E. Huttoe, and Gerald KoganJudge: George E. SchulzDates of Trial: January 17-March 6, 1966Verdict: Not guilty SIGNIFICANCE: Millions of dollars were at stake in this t…
Defendant: Carl Anthony CoppolinoCrime Charged: MurderChief Defense Lawyers: Joseph Afflitto, F. Lee Bailey, and Joseph MatticeChief Prosecutors: First trial: Vincent Keuper; second trial: Frank SchaubJudges: First trial: Elvin R. Simmill; second trial: Lynn SilvertoothPlaces: First trial: Monmouth County, New Jersey; second trial: Naples, FloridaDates of Trials: First trial: December 5-15, 1966; …
Defendant: Albert Henry DeSalvoCrimes Charged: Armed Robbery, Sex OffensesChief Defense Lawyer: F. Lee BaileyChief Prosecutor: Donald L. ConnJudge: Cornelius J. MoynihanPlace: Cambridge, MassachusettsDate of Trial: January 11-18, 1967Verdict: GuiltySentence: Life Imprisonment SIGNIFICANCE: When Albert DeSalvo stood trial in Massachusetts courtroom for armed robbery and sexual assault, everyone pre…
Defendant: Richard Franklin SpeckCrime Charged: MurderChief Defense Lawyers: Gerald Getty, James Gramenos, and Jerome WexlerChief Prosecutor: William MartinJudge: Herbert C. PaschenPlace: Peoria, IllinoisDates of Trial: February 20-April 15, 1967Verdict: GuiltySentence: Death, later commuted to 8 life terms imprisonment SIGNIFICANCE: Nothing like the testimony of Corazon Amurao had ever graced an …
Defendant: Rubin "Hurricane" CarterCrime Charged: MurderChief Defense Lawyers: First Trial: Raymond Brown; Second Trial: Myron Beldock; Federal Court Appeal: Myron Beldock, Leon Friedman, Lewis SteelChief Prosecutors: First Trial: Vincent Hall; Second Trial: Ronald Marmo; Federal Court Appeal: John Goceljak Judges: First Trial: Samuel Larner; Second Trial: Bruno Leopizzi; Federal Cou…
Defendants: Cecil Price and Sam Bowers, Jr.Crimes Charged: Conspiracy to violate civil rightsChief Defense Lawyers: Clayton Lewis, H.C. Watkins, and Laurel WeirChief prosecutors: John Doar, Robert Hauberg, and Robert OwenJudge: William Harold CoxPlace: Meridian, MississippiDates of trial: October 7-20, 1967Verdict: GuiltySentence: Bowers, 10 years imprisonment; Price, 6 years imprisonment SIGNIFIC…
Defendant: Alice CrimminsCrimes Charged: First trial, murder; Second trial, murder and manslaughterChief Defense Attorneys: First trial: Marty Baron and Harold Harrison; Second trial: William Erlbaum and Herbert Lyon.Chief Prosecutors: First trial: Anthony Lombardino and James Mosely; Second trial: Thomas Demakos and Vincent Nicolosi.Judges: First trial: Peter Farrell; second trial: George Balbach…
Name of Defendant: John Marshall Branion, Jr.Crime Charged: MurderChief Defense Lawyer: Maurice ScottChief Prosecutor: Patrick A. TuiteJudge: Reginald J. HoizerPlace: Chicago, IllinoisDates of Trial: May 15-28, 1968Verdict: GuiltySentence: 20-30 years SIGNIFICANCE: The murder conviction of John Marshall Branion, Jr., a prominent black doctor and confidant of Martin Luther King, Jr., was achieved w…
Defendant: Huey P. NewtonCrimes Charged: First-degree murder, felonious assault, and kidnappingChief Defense Lawyer: Charles R. GarryChief Prosecutor: Lowell JensenJudge: Monroe FriedmanPlace: Oakland, CaliforniaDates of Trial: July 15-September 8, 1968Verdict: Guilty of voluntary manslaughter; not guilty of felonious assault; kidnapping charge dismissedSentences: 2-15 years SIGNIFICANCE: While Hu…
Defendants: Philip Berrigan, Daniel Berrigan, and othersCrimes Charged: Willfully injuring government property, mutilating public records, and hindering the operation Selective Service SystemChief Defense Lawyers: Harrop Freeman and William KunstlerChief Prosecutors: Stephen H. Sachs and Barnet D. SkolnikJudge: Roszel C. ThomsenPlace: Baltimore, MarylandDates of Trial: October 7-10, 1968Verdict: G…
Defendant: Sirhan Bishara SirhanCrime Charged: MurderChief Defense Lawyers: Grant Cooper, Russell Parsons, Emile Berman, and Michael A. McCowanChief Prosecutors: Lynn D. Compton, John Howard, and David FittsJudge: Herbert V. WalkerPlace: Los Angeles, CaliforniaDates of Trial: January1 3—April 23, 1969Verdict: GuiltySentence: Death, later commuted to life imprisonment SIGNIFICANCE: The statu…
Defendant: Clay L. ShawCrime Charged: Conspiracy to assassinate John F. KennedyChief Defense Lawyers: Irvin Dymond, Salvatore Panzeca, Edward F. Wegmann, and William J. WegmannChief Prosecutors: James Alcock, William Alford, Jim Garrison, Alvin Oser, and Andrew SciambraJudge: Edward A. HaggertyPlace: New Orleans, LouisianaDates of Trial: January 31-March 1, 1969Verdict: Not guilty SIGNIFICANCE: Th…
Defendants: Rennard C. Davis, David Dellinger, John R. Froines, Thomas H. Hayden, Abbott Hoffman, Jerry C. Rubin, Bobby G. Seale and Lee WeinerCrimes Charged: Incitement to riot and conspiracyChief Defense Lawyers: William Kunstler and Leonard WeinglassChief Prosecutors: Roger Cubbage, Thomas A. Foran, and Richard G. ShultzJudge: Julius J. HoffmanPlace: Chicago, IllinoisDates of Trial: September 2…
Plaintiff: Curt FloodDefendants: Commissioner of baseball, presidents of the National League and American League, and owners of all 24 major league baseball clubsPlaintiff Claim: Organized baseball does fall under the definition of interstate commerce and is a monopoly; therefore the trading of baseball players without their agreement is an unreasonable restraint of trade in violation of the Sherm…
Defendants: Charles Manson, Susan Atkins, Patricia Krenwinkel, Leslie Van HoutenCrimes Charged: First-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murderChief Defense Lawyers: Irving Kanarek (for Manson), Daye Shinn (for Atkins), Paul Fitzgerald (for Krenwinkel), Maxwell Keith, Ronald Hughes, and Ira Reiner (for Van Houten)Chief Prosecutor: Vincent Bugliosi and Aaron StovitzJudge: Charles H. OlderPlace:…
Defendant: William L. CalleyCrime Charged: MurderChief Defense Lawyers: Brookes S. Doyle, Jr., Richard B. Kay, George W. Latimer, and Kenneth A. RabyChief Prosecutors: Aubrey Daniel and John PartinJudge: Reid W. KennedyPlace: Fort Benning, GeorgiaDates of Court-Martial: November 17, 1970-March 29, 1971Verdict: GuiltySentence: Life imprisonment SIGNIFICANCE: The trial of Lt. William Calley for war …
Defendant: John Robert HillCrime Charged: MurderChief Defense Lawyers: Donald Fullenweider and Richard HaynesChief Prosecutors: Erwin Ernst and l.D. McMasterJudge: Frederick HooeyPlace: Houston, TexasDates of Trial: February 15-26, 1971Verdict: Mistrial SIGNIFICANCE: Sensational trials are not uncommon in Texas, but the extraordinary sequence of events that followed the death of Joan Hill made thi…
Appellant: The United StatesDefendant: The New York Times CompanyAppellant's Claim: That the government's efforts to prevent the New York Times from publishing certain Vietnam War documents known as the "Pentagon Papers" were justified because of the interests of national securityChief Defense Lawyers: Alexander M. Bickel and William E. HegartyChief Lawyers for Appellan…
Defendant: Angela Y. DavisCrimes Charged: Murder, kidnapping, and conspiracyChief Defense Lawyers: Leo Branton, Jr., Margaret Burnham, Howard Moore, Jr., Sheldon Otis, and Dorris Brin WalkerChief Prosecutor: Albert HarrisJudge: Richard E. ArnasonPlace: San Jose, CaliforniaDates of Trial: February 28-June 4, 1972Verdict: Not guilty SIGNIFICANCE: A unique mix of murder, race, and politics ensured th…
Appellant & Defendant: William Henry FurmanAppellee & Plaintiff: State of GeorgiaAppellant Claim: That the Georgia death penalty constituted cruel and unusual punishment in violation of the Eight and Fourteenth AmendmentsChief Defense Lawyers: Dorothy T. Beasley, Arthur K. Bolton, Harold N. Hill, Jr., Andrew J. Ryan, Jr., Andrew J. Ryan, Ill and Courtney Wilder StantonChief Lawyers f…
Plaintiff: Norma McCorvey, using "Jane Roe" as an alias and representing all pregnant women in a class-action suitDefendant: Texas District Attorney Henry B. WadePlaintiff's Claim: That Texas' abortion laws violated McCorvey's and other women's constitutional rightsChief Defense Lawyers: Jay Floyd and Robert FlowersChief Lawyers for Plaintiff: Sarah Weddin…
Defendant: Peter ReillyCrime Charged: MurderChief Defense Lawyer: Catherine RorabackChief Prosecutor: John BianchiJudge: John SpezialePlace: Litchfield, ConnecticutDates of Trials: Trial: February 28-April 12, 1974; Appeal: March 25, 1976Verdict: Guilty of manslaughter in first-degree; conviction reversed on appealSentence: More than 6 but no more than 16 years SIGNIFICANCE: Peter Reilly was convi…
Defendant: W.A. BoyleCrime Charged: First-degree murderChief Defense Attorney: Charles F. MosesChief Prosecutor: Richard A. SpragueJudge: Francis J. CataniaPlace: Media, PennsylvaniaDates of Trial: March 25-April 11, 1974Verdict: GuiltySentence: 3 consecutive terms of life imprisonment SIGNIFICANCE: Successful prosecutions of those responsible for the death of Jock Yablonski revealed that his murd…
Plaintiff: United StatesDefendant: President Richard M. NixonPlaintiff Claims: That the president had to obey a subpoena ordering him to turn over tape recordings and documents relating to his conversations with aides and advisers concerning the Watergate break-inChief Defense Lawyer: James D. St. ClairChief Lawyers for Plaintiff: Leon Jaworski and Philip A. LacovaraJustices: Harry A. Blackmun, Wi…
Defendant: Joan LittleCrime Charged: MurderChief Defense Lawyers: Jerry Paul, Morris Dees, Marvin Miller, Karen Galloway, James Gillespie, and Milton WilliamsonChief Prosecutors: William Griffin, John Wilkinson, and Lester ChalmersJudge: Hamilton HobgoodPlace: Raleigh, North CarolinaDates of Trial: July 14-August 15, 1975Verdict: Not guilty SIGNIFICANCE: A mix of sex, race, murder, and unprecedent…
Plaintiff: Joseph T. QuinlanDefendant: St. Clare's HospitalPlaintiff Claim: That doctors at St. Clare's Hospital should obey Mr. Quinlan's instructions to disconnect his comatose daughter from her respirator and allow her to dieChief Defense Lawyers: Ralph Porzio (for Karen Quinlan's physicians), Theodore Einhorn (for the hospital), New Jersey State Attorney General Wil…
Defendant: Patricia C. HearstCrimes Charged: Bank robbery and use of a firearm in the commission of a felonyChief Defense Attorneys: F. Lee Bailey and J. Albert JohnsonChief Prosecutor: James L. Browning, Jr.Judge: Oliver J. CarterPlace: San Francisco, CaliforniaDates of Trial: February 4-March 20, 1976Verdict: GuiltySentence: 7 years imprisonment SIGNIFICANCE: Observers expected Patty Hearst�…
Defendant: Murray R. GoldCrime Charged: MurderChief Defense Lawyers: First and second trials: Victor Ferrante, William Kuntsler, Timothy Moynahan; Third trial: John Williams; Fourth trial: William Collins, Nicholas SerigneseChief Prosecutors: John A. Connelly, Francis McDonald, Walter Scanlon, Marcia SmithJudges: First trial: Robert A. Wall; Second trial: George A. Saden; Third trial: Charles D. G…
Defendant: Theodore Robert BundyCrime Charged: First Trial: Aggravated kidnapping; Second Trial: MurderChief Defense Lawyers: First Trial: John O'Connell; Second trial: Robert Haggard, Edward Harvey, Margaret Good, and Lynn ThompsonChief Prosecutors: First Trial: David Yocum; Second Trial: Larry Simpson and Daniel McKeeverJudges: First Trial: Stewart Hanson; Second Trial: Edward CowartPlace…
Defendant: Gary Mark GilmoreCrime Charged: MurderChief Defense Lawyers: Michael Esplin and Craig SnyderChief Prosecutor: Noall T. WoottonJudge: J. Robert BullockPlace: Provo, UtahDates of Trial: October 5-7, 1976Verdict: GuiltySentence: Death SIGNIFICANCE: Convicted killer Gary Gilmore's craving for self-destruction fueled a re-examination of capital punishment in America and led to a best-…
Defendant: Leonard PeltierCrime Charged: MurderChief Defense Lawyers: Bruce Ellison, Lew Gurwitz, William Kuntsler, Elliott TaikeffChief Prosecutors: Lynn Crooks, Evan Hultman, Robert SikmaJudge: Paul BensonPlace: Fargo, North DakotaDate of Trial: March 16—April 18, 1977Verdict: GuiltySentence: Life imprisonment (two consecutive terms) SIGNIFICANCE: Countless observers find in this trial a …
Defendant: Randall Dale AdamsCrime Charged: MurderChief Defense Lawyers: Edith James and Dennis WhiteChief Prosecutors: Douglas Mulder, Winfield Scott, and Stephen TokelyJudge: Donald J. MetcalfePlace: Dallas, TexasDates of Trial: March 28-May 3, 1977Verdict: GuiltySentence: Death SIGNIFICANCE: The tragedy of Randall Adams, recorded in the movie, The Thin Blue Line, represents a withering indictme…
Defendant: Maryland Governor Marvin MandelCrimes Charged: Mail fraud and racketeeringChief Defense Lawyers: M. Albert Figinski, Eugene Gressman, D. Christopher Ohly, and Arnold M. WeinerChief Prosecutors: Russell T. Baker, Jr., Daniel J. Hurson, Barnet D. Skolnik, and Elizabeth H. TrimbleJudge: Robert L. TaylorPlace: Baltimore, MarylandDates of Trial: June 1-August 21, 1977Verdict: Guilty, later o…
Plaintiff: Frank Collin, on behalf of the National Socialist Party of AmericaDefendant: Albert Smith, as president of the Village of Skokie, IllinoisPlaintiff Claims: That Skokie had illegally prevented the American Nazis from holding a political marchChief Defense Lawyers: Gilbert Gordon and Harvey SchwartzChief Lawyer for Plaintiff: David A. GoldbergerJudge: Bernard M. DeckerPlace: Chicago, Illi…
Defendant: David R. BerkowitzCrimes Charged: Second-degree murder, attempted murder, and assaultChief Defense Lawyers: Ira Jultak and Leon SternChief Prosecutors: Eugene Gold, Mario Merola, and John SantucciJudges: Joseph R. Corso, William Kapelman, and Nicholas TsoucalasPlace: New York, New YorkDate of Trial: May 8, 1978Verdict: GuiltySentence: Six25-years-to-life terms, with additional 15-and 25…
Appellee: Allan BakkeAppellant: The Medical School of the University of CaliforniaAppellee Claim: That the California Supreme Court erred in ruling that the school's special-admissions program for minorities violated Bakke's civil rights as a white male when he was denied admissionChief Lawyer for Appellee: Reynold H. ColvinChief Lawyers for Appellant Archibald Cox, Paul J. Mishkin, …
Plaintiff: Michelle Triola MarvinDefendant: Lee MarvinPlaintiff Claim: That Michelle Triola Marvin was entitled to half of Lee Marvin's earnings during the six years they spent together as an unmarried coupleChief Defense Lawyers: Mark Goldman and A. David KagonChief Lawyer for Plaintiff: Marvin Mitchelson Judge: Arthur K. MarshallPlace: Los Angeles, CaliforniaDates of Trial: January 9-Marc…
Plaintiff: Estate of Karen SilkwoodDefendant: Kerr-McGee Nuclear CompanyPlaintiff Claim: Damages for negligence leading to the plutonium contamination of Karen SilkwoodChief Defense Lawyers: Elliott Fenton, John Griffin, Jr., Larry D. Ottoway, William Paul, L.E. Stringer, and Bill J. ZimmermanChief Lawyers for Plaintiff: Gerald Spence, Arthur Angel, and James IkardJudge: Frank G. TheisPlace: Oklah…
Plaintiff: The United StatesDefendant: The Progressive, Inc.Plaintiff Claims: That The Progressive magazine should be prevented from publishing an article concerning how to build a hydrogen bombChief Defense Lawyer: Earl Munson, Jr.Chief Lawyers for Plaintiff: Thomas S. Martin and Frank M. TuerkheimerJudge: Robert W. WarrenPlace: Milwaukee, WisconsinDate of Hearing: March 26, 1979Decision: Injunct…
Defendant: Daniel James WhiteCrime Charged: MurderChief Defense Lawyers: Douglas Schmidt and Stephen ScherrChief Prosecutor: Thomas F. NormanJudge: Walter F. CalcagnoPlace: San Francisco, CaliforniaDates of Trial: April 25-May 21, 1979Verdict: Guilty, Voluntary ManslaughterSentence: 7 years, 8 months. SIGNIFICANCE: Celebrity murder trials inevitably attract massive media coverage. What made the Da…
Defendant: Jeffrey Robert MacDonaldCrime Charged: MurderChief Defense Lawyers: Bernard L. Segal and Wade SmithChief Prosecutors: James L. Blackburn and Brian MurtaghJudge: Franklin T. DupreePlace: Raleigh, N.C.Dates of Trial: July 16-August 29, 1979Verdict: GuiltySentence: Life imprisonment SIGNIFICANCE: The horror of the triple murder and the long delay between the crime and the trial alone were …
Defendant: Edward CantrellCrime Charged: MurderChief Defense Lawyer: Gerald L. SpenceChief Prosecutors: Preliminary Hearing: Robert Bath; Trial: Robert PickettJudges: Preliminary Hearing: Nena Stafford; Trial: Kenneth HammPlace: Rock Springs, WyomingDates of Trials: Preliminary Hearing: November 13, 1978-February 7, 1979; Trial: November 12-30, 1979Verdict: Not guilty SIGNIFICANCE: The case demons…
Defendant: John Wayne Gacy, Jr.Crimes Charged: Murder, murder during the commission of a felony, aggravated kidnapping, deviate sexual assault, indecent liberties with a minorChief Defense Lawyers: Sam Amirante, Robert MorraChief Prosecutors: William Kunkle, Robert Egan, Terry SullivanJudge: Louis B. GarripoPlace: Cook County, IllinoisDate of Trial: February 6-March 12, 1980Verdict: Guilty SIGNIFI…
Appellant: Frank W. Snepp IllAppellee: The United StatesAppellant Claims: That a district court erred in ruling that Snepp violated the terms of his Central Intelligence Agency employment agreement by having his book Decent Interval published without the agency's prior consentChief Lawyers for Appellee: David J. Anderson, Barbara Allen Babcock, William B. Cummings, Brook Hedge, Thomas S. Ma…
Defendants: First trial: Howard L. Criden, Angelo J. Errichetti, Louis C. Johanson, and Michael J. Myers; Second trial: Alexander Feinberg and Harrison A. Williams, Jr.Crimes Charged: Bribery and conspiracyChief Defense Lawyers: First trial: Richard Ben-Veniste, Ray Brown, Plato Cacheris, and John Duffy; Second trial: Harry C. Batchelder, Jr. and George J. KoeizerChief Prosecutors: Edward A. McDon…
Defendant: Jean S. HarrisCrime Charged: Second-degree murderChief Defense Lawyer: Joel AurnouChief Prosecutor: George BolenJudge: Russell R. LeggettPlace: White Plains, New YorkDates of Trial: November 21, 1980-February 24, 1981Verdict: GuiltySentence: 15 years to life SIGNIFICANCE: Jean Harris' trial was initially famous for the celebrity of the lover she was accused of murdering, but the …
Defendants: Elizam Escobar, Ricardo Jimenez, Adolfo Matos, Alfredo Mendez, Dylcia Noemi Pagan, Alicia Rodriguez, Ida Luz Rodriguez, Luis Rosa, Carlos Alberto Torres, and Carmen ValentinCrimes Charged: Seditious conspiracy, interference with interstate commerce by threats or violence, possession of an unregistered firearm, carrying firearms during the commission of seditious conspiracy and interfer…
Defendant: John DemjanjukCrime Charged: Illegal procurement of U.S. citizenshipChief Defense Lawyer: John MartinChief Prosecutors: Norman Moskowitz and George ParkerJudge: Frank BattistiPlace: Cleveland, OhioDates of Trial: February 10-June 23, 1981Verdict: GuiltySentence: U.S. naturalization revoked SIGNIFICANCE: The denaturalization trial of accused war criminal John Demjanjuk marked the beginni…
Defendant John S. "Johnny" VolpatoCrime Charged: MurderChief Defense Lawyer: Dick A. BlendenChief Prosecutor: Ernest CarrollJudge: Bill SadlerPlace: Carlsbad, New MexicoDates of Trials: First Trial: September-October, 1981; Second Trial: October 1986Verdict: First Trial: Guilty; Second Trial: Not guiltySentence: First Trial: life with no parole for 30 years SIGNIFICANCE: Witnesses wh…
Defendant: Gary Lee GrahamCrime Charged: MurderChief Defense Lawyers: Ronald G. Mock, Douglas M. O'Brien, and Chester Lash Thornton; on appeals: Richard Burr, Douglas M. O'Brien, Robert C. Owen, Michael E. Tygar, Mandy Welch, Jack B. ZimmermannChief Prosecutors: John H. Holmes, Jr.; on appeals: Dan MoralesJudge: James Richard TravathanPlace: Houston, TexasDate of Trial: October 30, 1…
Defendant: Wayne B. WilliamsCrime Charged: MurderChief Defense Lawyers: Alvin Binder and Mary WelcomeChief Prosecutors: Joseph Drolat, Jack Mallard, and Lewis SlatonJudge: Clarence CooperPlace: Atlanta, GeorgiaDates of Trial: December 28, 1981-February 27, 1982Verdict: GuiltySentence: Life imprisonment SIGNIFICANCE: The trial of the man suspected of being America's worst child-killer was bo…
Defendant: Jack Henry AbbottCrime Charged: MurderChief Defense Lawyer: Ivan S. FisherChief Prosecutor: James H. FogelJudge: Irving LangPlace: New York, New YorkDates of Trial: January 4-21, 1982Verdict: Guilty of first-degree manslaughterSentence: 15 years to life imprisonment SIGNIFICANCE: The outrage that surrounded Jack Abbott's trial was deep and understandable. Public opinion took the …
Defendant: Claus Von BulowCrime Charged: Attempted murderChief Defense Lawyers: First trial: John Sheenan and Herold Price Fahringer; second trial: Thomas P. Puccio and John SheehanChief Prosecutors: First trial: Stephen Famiglietti and Susan McGuirl; second trial: Marc DeSisto and Henry GemmaJudges: First trial: Thomas H. Needham; second trial: Corrine GrandePlaces: First trial: Newport, Rhode Is…
Defendant: John W. Hinckley, Jr.Crime Charged: Attempted murderChief Defense Lawyers: Lon Babby, Gregory Craig, Vincent Fuller, and Judith MillerChief Prosecutors: Roger Adelman and Robert ChapmanJudge: Barrington ParkerPlace: Washington, D.C.Dates of Trial: April 27-June 21, 1982Verdict: Not guilty by reason of insanity SIGNIFICANCE: The insanity plea has always been a gray area with lawyer and l…
Defendant: Mumia Abu-JamalCrime Charged: MurderChief Defense Lawyers: Anthony Jackson (trial); Leonard I. Weinglass (posttrial, since 1992)Chief Prosecutor: Joseph J. McGillJudge: Albert SaboPlace: Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaDates of Trial: June 15-July 2, 1982Verdict: GuiltySentence: Execution SIGNIFICANCE: The trial of Mumia Abu-Jamal raises a number of questions that jurisprudence must face: How…
Plaintiff: Herbert Pulitzer, Jr.Defendant: Roxanne D. PulitzerChief Defense Lawyers: Joseph D. Farish, Jr., and Louis L. WilliamsChief Lawyers for Plaintiff: Mark T. Luttier and Robert T. ScottJudge: Carl H. HarperPlace: Palm Beach, FloridaDates of Trial: September 20-November 9, 1982Verdict: Divorce granted, and custody of the children awarded to Herbert Pulitzer SIGNIFICANCE: While the Pulitzer …
Defendants: Charles Voyde Harrelson, Jo Ann Starr Harrelson, Elizabeth Chagra, Jamiel ChagraCrimes Charged: Charles Harrelson: conspiracy to murder; murder of a federal judge; conspiracy to obstruct justice. Jo Ann Starr Harrelson: conspiracy to obstruct justice. Elizabeth Chagra: conspiracy to murder and conspiracy to obstruct justice; separate indictment on income tax evasion. Jamiel Chagra: sep…
Defendant Alcee L. HastingCrimes Charged: Trial: Conspiracy to solicit and accept money in return for unlawful influence in the performance of lawful government functions and for corruptly impeding due administration of justice. Impeachment: Fifteen articles detailing charges of conspiracy to accept a bribe and for making false statements and falsifying evidence throughout the investigation and tr…
Defendants: First trial: Cecilio Ferguson and Edward Joseph; second trial: Kuwasi Balagoon, Judith Clark, and David GilbertCrimes Charged: First trial: Murder, robbery, racketeering, and conspiracy; second trial: Murder and robberyChief Defense Lawyers: First trial: Jesse Berman, Chowke Lumumba, and William Mogulescu; second trial: The accusedChief Prosecutors: First trial: Robert S. Litt, Stacey …
Defendants: John Cordeiro, Jose M. Medeiros, Virgilio Medeiros, Victor Raposo, Daniel Silva, and Joseph VieiraCrime Charged: Aggravated RapeChief Defense Lawyers: Edward F. Harrington, Judith Lindahl, Kenneth Sullivan, and David WaxierChief Prosecutors: Ronald A. Pina and Raymond P. VearyJudge: William G. YoungPlace: Fall River, MassachusettsDates: February 23-March 21, 1984Verdicts: Cordeiro, Rap…
Defendant: John DeLoreanCrime Charged: Drug traffickingChief Defense Lawyers: Howard Weitzman, Donald ReChief Prosecutors: James P. Walsh Jr, Robert ParryJudge: Robert TakasugiPlace: Los Angeles, CaliforniaDate of Trial: April 18-August 16, 1984Verdict: Not guilty SIGNIFICANCE: Dubious government witnesses and the ethics of "sting" operations in general were on trial as much as the d…
Plaintiff: General William C. WestmorelandDefendant: CBS, Inc.Plaintiff Claim: That a certain television documentary broadcast by CBS concerning the conduct of the Vietnam War libeled the plaintiffChief Defense Lawyers: David Boies and Stuart W. GoldChief Lawyers for Plaintiff: Dan M. Burt and David M. DorsenJudge: Pierre N. LevalPlace: New York, New YorkDates of Trial: October 9, 1984-February 18…
Plaintiff: Jerry FalwellDefendant: Larry FlyntPlaintiff Claim: That an ad parody published in Hustler magazine was libelous and intended to cause Jerry Faiwell emotional distressChief Defense Lawyers: David 0. Carson, Alan Isaacman, and Arthur P. StricklandChief Lawyers for Plaintiff: Jeffrey H. Daichman, Norman Roy Grutman, and Harold H. Rhodes, Jr.Judge: James C. TurkPlace: Roanoake, VirginiaDat…
Plaintiff: Anne Anderson et al.Defendant: W.R. Grace and Company, Beatrice Foods, Unifirst CompanyPlaintiff Claim: Contamination of public water resulting in deaths and serious illnessesChief Defense Lawyer: Michael KeatingChief Lawyer for Plaintiff: Jan SchlictmannJudge: Walter Jay SkinnerPlace: Boston, MassachusettsDate of Trial: March 10-May 26, 1986Verdict: The jury found W.R. Grace Co. guilty…
Defendants: Gerald Amirault, Violet Amirault, Cheryl Amirault LeFaveCrimes Charged: Sexual abuse (including rape and indecent assault)Chief Defense Lawyers: First Trial: Juliane Balliro, Frank Mondano; Second Trial: Joseph Balliro, Juliane BalliroChief Prosecutors: Both Trials: Patricia Bernstein, Laurence HardoonJudges: First Trial: Elizabeth Dolan; Second Trial: John Paul SullivanPlace: Cambridg…
Plaintiffs: William and Elizabeth SternDefendant: Mary Beth WhiteheadPlaintiff Claim: That Whitehead—who had entered a "Surrogate Parenting Agreement," become pregnant via artificial insemination with William Stern's sperm, and delivered his and her own biological child—ought to be forced to give up the babyChief Defense Lawyers: Harold Cassidy and Randy WolfChie…
Claimant: Beaulah Mae DonaldDefendants United Klans of America Inc., Robert M. Shelton, Henry Hayes, Bennie Jack Hays, Thaddeus Betancourt, Frank Cox, William O'Connor, Teddy Kyzar, James KnowlesClaim: That defendants were responsible for the murder of Michael DonaldClaimant's Lawyers: Morris Dees, Michael FiguresChief Defense Lawyer: John Mays (UKA only)Judge: Alex HowardPlace: Mobi…
Defendant: Bernhard Hugo GoetzCrimes Charged: Attempted murder, assault, reckless endangerment, and criminal possession of a gunChief Defense Lawyers: Mark Baker and Barry SlotnickChief Prosecutor: Gregory WaplesJudge: Stephen G. CranePlace: New York, New YorkDates of Trial: March 23-June 16, 1987Verdict: Guilty of criminal possession of a gun; not guilty of all other chargesSentence: 1 year impri…
Defendant: Margaret Kelly MichaelsCrimes Charged: Aggravated sexual assault, sexual assault, endangering the welfare of children, and terroristic threatsChief Defense Lawyers: Harvey Meltzer and Robert ClarkChief Prosecutors: Glenn Goldberg and Sara Sencer McArdleJudge: William A. HarthChief Lawyers for Appeal: Morton Stavis and William KunstlerChief Prosecutor: Clifford MinorPlace: Newark, New Je…
Defendants: First trial: Raymond Buckey and Peggy Buckey; second trial: Raymond BuckeyCrimes Charged: Child abuse and conspiracyChief Defense Lawyers: Raymond Buckey: Daniel G. Davis; Peggy Buckey: Dean R. GitsChief Prosecutors: First trial: Roger Gunson, Ira Reiner, and Lael Rubin; second trial: Joseph MartinezJudges: First trial: William R. Pounders; second trial: Stanley M. WeisbergPlace: Los A…
Plaintiff: Estate of Rose CipolloneDefendant: Liggett GroupPlaintiff Claims: That the defendant, a cigarette company, was liable for Rose Cipollone's death from cancer because it failed to warn consumers about the dangers of smokingChief Defense Lawyer: H. Bartow Farr IllChief Lawyers for Plaintiff: Alan Darnell, Marc Z. Edell, and Cynthia WaltersJudge: H. Lee SarokinPlace: Newark, New Jers…
Defendants: Antonio Camacho Negron, Juan E. Segarra Palmer, Roberto J. Maldonado Rivera, Carlos M. Ayes Suarez, Norman Ramirez TalaveraCrimes Charged: A 17-count indictment that included charges of conspiracy in belonging to a corrupt organization, planning a robbery, transporting the stolen money across state lines, helping the robber to escape, and laundering the moneyChief Defense Lawyers: Juan…
Defendant: Joel SteinbergCrime Charged: MurderChief Defense Lawyers: Ira London and Adrian DiLuzioChief Prosecutors: Peter Casolaro and John McCuskerJudge: Harold RothwaxPlace: New York, New YorkDates of Trial: October 25, 1988-January 30, 1989Verdict: Guilty, First degree manslaughterSentence: 8½-25 years SIGNIFICANCE: New York's first-ever televised murder trial held the interest of …
Defendant: Oliver Laurence NorthCrimes Charged: Obstruction of justice, corruption, and perjuryChief Defense Lawyers: Barry Simon and Brendan V. Sullivan, Jr.Chief Prosecutors: Michael Bromwich, John Keker, and David ZornowJudge: Gerhard GesellPlace: Washington, D.C.Dates of Trial: January 31-May 4, 1989Verdict: Guilty, 3 counts; Not guilty, 9 countsSentence: $150,000 fine, 2 years probation, 1,20…
Defendants: Patricia Gros Levasseur, Raymond Luc Levasseur, Richard C. WilliamsCrimes Charged: Seditious conspiracy to overthrow the government; racketeering; conspiracy to engage in racketeeringChief Defense Lawyers: Peter Avenia, Robert Boyle, Elizabeth Fink, Kenneth J. King, William NewmanChief Prosecutors: David Douglass, Michael K. LoucksJudge: William G. YoungPlace: Springfield, Massachusett…
Appellant: State of TexasDefendant: Gregory Lee JohnsonAppellant Claim: That the Texas statute against "desecration of venerated objects," in this instance burning an American flag, did not violate Gregory Lee Johnson's constitutional rightsChief Defense Lawyer: William M. KunstlerChief Lawyer for Appellant: Kathi Alyce DrewJustices: Harry A. Blackmun, William J. Brennan, Jr.,…
Defendant: Leona HelmsleyCrimes Charged: 47 criminal offenses concerning conspiracy, tax evasion, filing false tax returns, mail fraud, and extortionChief Defense Lawyer: Gerald A. FefferChief Prosecutors: James R. DeVita and Rudolph GiulianiJudge: John M. WalkerPlace: New York, New YorkDates of Trial: June 26-August 30, 1989Verdict: Guilty on 33 countsSentence: 4 years in prison and more than $7 …
Defendant: Jim BakkerCrime Charged: Fraud and conspiracyChief Defense Lawyers: Harold Bender and George T. DavisChief Prosecutors: Jerry Miller and Deborah SmithJudge: Robert D. PotterPlace: Charlotte, North CarolinaDates of Trial: August 21-October 5, 1989Verdict: GuiltySentence: 45 years imprisonment and $500,000 fine SIGNIFICANCE: This trial marked the first prosecution of a television evangeli…
Defendant: Pete RoseCrime Charged: Filing false tax returnsChief Defense Lawyers: Reuven Katz, Roger J. Makley, and Robert Pitcairn, Jr.Chief Prosecutors: G. Michael Crites and William E. HuntJudge: S. Arthur SpiegelPlace: Cincinnati, OhioDate of Trial: April 20, 1990Verdict: GuiltySentence: 5 months' imprisonment, 3 months in a community treatment center or halfway house, $50,000 fine, and…
Defendants: Joseph Fama, Keith MondelloCrimes Charged: Riot, unlawful imprisonment, discrimination, murderChief Defense Lawyers: Mondello: Stephen Murphy; Fama: David DePetrisChief Prosecutor: Paul BurnsJudge: Thaddeus OwensPlace: Brooklyn, Kings County, New YorkDate of Trial: May-June 11, 1990Verdicts: Fama: guilty of murder in the second degree (manslaughter), guilty of riot; Mondello: not guilt…
Defendant: Marion Barry, Jr.Crime Charged: Drug offenses (14 counts)Chief Defense Lawyers: Robert Mance and Kenneth MundyChief Prosecutors: Judith Retchin and Richard RobertsJudge: Thomas Penfield JacksonPlace: Washington, D.C.Dates of Trial: June 4-August 10, 1990Verdict: Guilty on 1 count of cocaine possession; Not guilty on 1 count; Mistrial on remaining 12 countsSentence: 6 months imprisonment…
Defendants: First trial: Antron McCray, Yusef Salaam, Raymond Santana Jr.; second trial: Kevin Richardson and Kharey WiseCrimes Charged: First trial: Second-degree attempted murder, rape, sodomy, first and second-degree assault, robbery, riot; second trial: all of the above, plus sexual abuseChief Defense Lawyers: First trial: Robert Burns, Michael Joseph, Peter Rivera; second trial: Howard Diller…
Defendants: Dennis Barrie and the Cincinnati Contemporary Arts CenterCrime Charged: Displaying obscene material, namely pictures by the artist Robert MapplethorpeChief Defense Lawyers: Marc D. Mezibov and H. LouisSirkin Chief Prosecutors: Richard A. Castellini, Frank H. Prouty, Jr., and Melanie J. ReisingJudge: F. David J. AlbanesePlace: Cincinnati, OhioDates of Trial: September 24-October 5, 1990…
Defendant: George FranklinCrime Charged: MurderChief Defense Lawyers: Douglas Horngrad and Arthur WachtelChief Prosecutor: Elaine TiptonJudge: Thomas McGinn SmithPlace: Redwood City, CaliforniaDates of Trial: October 31, 1990-January 29, 1991Verdict: Guilty (overturned on appeal)Sentence: Life imprisonment SIGNIFICANCE: The trial of George Franklin raised the troubling question of how far courts a…
Plaintiff: Otakar KirchnerDefendants: Jay and Kimberly WarburtonChief Defense Lawyer: Richard LifshitzChief Lawyer for Plaintiff: Loren HeinemanJudges: Dom J. Rizzi and Ann G. McMorrowPlace: Chicago, IllinoisDates of Trials: 1991-1995Verdict: For the plaintiff: custody of the child Baby Richard awarded to his biological father, Otakar Kirchner SIGNIFICANCE: The Baby Richard case elicited public ou…
Defendant: Carolyn WarmusCrime Charged: MurderChief Defense Lawyers: First trial: David L. Lewis; second trial: William I. AronwaldChief Prosecutors: Douglas J. Fitzmorris and James A. McCartyJudge: John CareyPlace: White Plains, New YorkDates of Trials: First Trial: January 14—April 27, 1991; second trial: January 22-May 27, 1992Verdicts: First trial: mistrial; second trial: guiltySentence…
Defendant: Pamela SmartCrime Charged: Conspiracy to commit murderChief Defense Lawyers: Mark Sisti and Paul TwomeyChief Prosecutors: Paul Maggiotto and Diane NicolosiJudge: Douglas R. GrayPlace: Exeter, New HampshireDates of Trial: March 4-22, 1991Verdict: GuiltySentence: Life imprisonment SIGNIFICANCE: Millions watched this trial on live television, fascinated by the sensational saga of a murdero…
Defendant: Wanda Webb HollowayCrimes Charged: Solicitation of capital murder and solicitation of aggravated kidnappingChief Defense Lawyers: Troy McKinney and Stanley SchneiderChief Prosecutors: Mike Anderson and Casey O'BrienJudge: George H. GodwinPlace: Houston, TexasDates of Trial: August 23-September 4, 1991Verdict: GuiltySentence: 15 years imprisonment and a $10,000 fine (later overtur…
Defendant: Manuel Antonio NoriegaCrime Charged: Drug trafficking, racketeering, and conspiracyChief Defense Lawyers: Jon May and Frank A. RubinoChief Prosecutors: James McAdams, Myles Malman, and Michael P. SullivanJudge: William M. HoevelerPlace: Miami, FloridaDates of Trial: September 6, 1991-April 9, 1992Verdict: GuiltySentence: 40 years imprisonment SIGNIFICANCE: This landmark trial marked the…
Defendant: George Walterfield Russell, Jr.Crimes Charged: MurderChief Defense Lawyers: Miriam Schwartz, Brad HamptonChief Prosecutors: Rebecca Roe, Jeffrey BairdJudge: Patricia AitkenPlace: Seattle, WashingtonDate of Trial: September 13-October 18, 1991Verdict: GuiltySentence: Life in prison without parole SIGNIFICANCE: Winning a conviction in Washington State's first serial-murder trial ul…
Defendant: El Sayyid A. NosairCrime Charged: Murder, attempted murder, and assaultChief Defense Lawyers: William M. Kunstler and Michael WarrenChief Prosecutor: William GreenbaumJudge: Alvin SchlesingerPlace: New York, New YorkDates of Trial: November 4-December 21, 1991Verdict: Not guilty, murder, and attempted murder; Guilty, assault with a deadly weaponSentence: 7-22 years imprisonment SIGNIFIC…
Defendant: Charles F. Keating, Jr.Crimes Charged: First trial: Securities fraud; Second trial: fraud, conspiracy, racketeeringChief Defense Lawyers: Stephen C. Neal; several other attorneys have represented him over the course of his many civil and criminal trialsChief Prosecutor: William Hodgman; several others have prosecuted him at the state and federal levelJudge: Lance A. ItoPlace: Los Angele…
Defendant: William Kennedy SmithCrime Charged: RapeChief Defense Lawyers: Roy E. Black, Mark Schnapp, and Mark SeidenChief Prosecutors: Moira K. Lasch and Ellen RobertsJudge: Mary E. LupoPlace: West Palm Beach, FloridaDates of Trial: December 2-11, 1991Verdict: Not guilty SIGNIFICANCE: The Kennedy family name and the concomitant glare of global media attention made this nothing less than the most …
Defendant: Richard Allen Abood LyonCrime Charged: MurderChief Defense Lawyer: Dan C. GuthrieChief Prosecutor: Jerri SimmsJudge: John C. CreuzotPlace: Dallas, TexasDate of Trial: December 2, 1991-January 19, 1992Verdict: GuiltySentence: Life in prison and $10,000 fine SIGNIFICANCE: This murder case had all the elements of a good "whodunit": old money, a marriage gone sour, and arsenic…
Defendants: Yahweh Ben Yahweh (Hulon Mitchell); Codefendants (15 in all): Mikael, Absalom, Jesee Obed, Abiri, Isaiah Solomon, Hezion, Hoseah Isaac, Enoch, Aher, Job, Amri, Dan, Ahinadab, Sister Judith (who was Yahweh's second in command), Ahaz (all codefendants had "Israel" as their surname)Crimes Charged: Conspiracy to commit murder, racketeeringChief Defense Lawyer: Alcee Ha…
Defendant: Jim MitchellCrimes Charged: Murder, burglary, weapons chargesChief Defense Lawyers: Michael Kennedy, Nanci ClarenceChief Prosecutor: John PoseyJudge: Richard BrienerPlace: San Rafael, CaliforniaDate of Trial: January 13-February 19, 1992Verdict: Guilty of voluntary manslaughter and weapons chargesSentence: Six years, three on voluntary manslaughter and three on weapons charges; paroled …
Defendant: John GottiCrimes Charged: Racketeering; racketeering conspiracy; murder; Illegal gambling; obstruction of justice; and conspiracies to murder, bribe a detective, obstruct justice, commit loan sharking, and commit tax fraudChief Defense Lawyer: Albert J. KriegerChief Prosecutors: John Gleeson and Andrew J. MaloneyJudge: I. Leo GlasserPlace: Brooklyn, New YorkDates of Trial: January 21-Ap…
Defendant: Michael Gerard TysonCrimes Charged: Rape, criminal deviant conduct, and confinementChief Defense Lawyers: Kathleen I. Beggs, Vincent J. Fuller, and F. Lane HeardChief Prosecutors: David Dreyer, J. Gregory Garrison, and Barbara J. TrathenJudge: Patricia J. GiffordPlace: Indianapolis, IndianaDates of Trial: January 26-February 10, 1992Verdict: GuiltySentence: 10 years imprisonment SIGNIFI…
Defendants: Theodore J. Briseno, Stacey C. Koon, Laurence M. Powell, and Timothy E. WindCrimes Charged: First trial: Assault, excessive force by a police officer, and filing false report; Second trial: Violating civil rightsChief Defense Lawyers: First trial: Paul DePasquale, Darryl Mounger, and Michael P. Stone; second trial: Harland W. Braun, Paul DePasquale, Ira M. Salzman, and Michael P. Stone…
Defendant: Richard LapointeCrimes Charged: Murder, arson, assault, sexual assault, kidnappingChief Defense Lawyers: Patrick Culligan, Christopher CosgroveChief Prosecutors: Rosita Creamer, Dennis O'ConnorJudge: David M. BarryPlace: Hartford, ConnecticutDate of Trial: May 6—July 6, 1992Verdict: GuiltySentence: Life imprisonment plus 60 years SIGNIFICANCE: While the trial itself provok…
Defendants: First trial: Lemrick Nelson, Jr.; second trial: Lemrick Nelson, Jr. and Charles PriceCrimes Charged: First trial: Nelson: Murder; second trial: Nelson and Price: Violation of civil rightsChief Defense Lawyers: Nelson: Trevor L.F. Headley, Arthur Lewis, Jr., James Neuman, and Christine E. Yaris; Price: Darrell Paster and Anthony RiccoChief Prosecutors: Valerie Caproni, Zachary W. Carter…
Defendant: Amy FisherCrimes Charged: Attempted murder, assaultChief Defense Lawyer: Eric NaiburgChief Prosecutor: Fred Klein.Judge: Marvin GoodmanPlace: Long Island, New YorkDate of Trial: September 24, 1992Verdict: Guilty of assaultSentence: 5-15 years imprisonment; released after 7 years SIGNIFICANCE: The Amy Fisher/Joey Buttafuoco affair (she being a teenager at the time) showed the extent of t…
Defendants: Christopher Archer, Bryant Grober, Kevin Scherzer, Kyle ScherzerCrime Charged: RapeChief Defense Lawyers: Kyle Scherzer: Louis Esposito; Christopher Archer: Thomas Ford, Jr.; Kevin Scherzer: Michael Querques; Bryant Grober: Alan ZegasChief Prosecutors: Glenn Goldberg, Robert Laurino, Elizabeth Miller-HallJudge: R. Benjamin CohenPlace: Newark, New JerseyDates of Trial: October 15, 1992-…
Defendant: Woody AllenPlaintiff: Mia FarrowPlaintiff Claim: Custody of three children Allen Shared with Mia FarrowChief Defense Lawyers: Alan M. Dershowitz, Eleanor B. AlterChief Lawyer for the Plaintiff: Elkan AbramowitzJudge: Elliot WilkPlace: New, York, New YorkDate of Trial: March 19-June 7, 1993Verdict: Petition for custody was denied SIGNIFICANCE: This custody battle between two very public …
Defendants: Randall Weaver, Kevin HarrisCrimes Charged: Conspiracy, murder, failure to appear for trial, interference with federal marshals, possession of illegal firearms, resisting arrest, violation of bailChief Defense Lawyer: Gerry SpenceChief Prosecutor: Assistant U.S. Attorney Ron HowenJudge: Edward J. LodgePlace: Boise, IdahoDate of Trial: April 12-July 8, 1993Verdict: Guilty of bail violat…
Plaintiff: Jeffrey M. MassonDefendants: Janet Malcolm and the New Yorker magazinePlaintiff Claim: That certain quotes in a profile of the plaintiff written by the defendant and published in the New Yorker were libelousChief Defense Lawyer: Gary BostwickChief Lawyer for Plaintiff: Charles 0. MorganJudge: Eugene F. LynchPlace: San Francisco, CaliforniaDates of Trials: May 6-June 3, 1993; October 3-N…
Defendants: Larry Nevers, Walter Budzyn, Robert LessnauCrimes Charged: Nevers and Budzyn: murder; Lessnau: aggravated assaultChief Defense Lawyers: Carol Stanyar, James Howarth, Michael Batchelor, John GoldpaughChief Prosecutor: Kym WorthyJudge: Robert W. Crockett IllPlace: Detroit, MichiganDates of Trials: First trial: JuneAugust 1993; Budzyn retrial: April 1998; Nevers retrial: March 2000Verdict…
Defendants: Lyle and Erik MenendezCrimes Charged: MurderChief Defense Lawyers: First trial: Leslie Abramson, Jill Lansing; second trial: Leslie Abramson, Jill Lansing, Barry LevinChief Prosecutor: First trial: Pamela Bozanich; second trial: David ConnJudge: Both trials: Stanely M. WeisbergPlace: Both Trials: Los Angeles, CaliforniaDates of Trials: First trial: July 20, 1993-January 28, 1994; secon…
Defendants: Cara and Dan SchmidtPlaintiffs: Jan and Roberta DeBoerPlaintiff Claim: The DeBoer's sought to block the order of the Michigan Supreme Court to return Jessica to the SchmidtsChief Defense Lawyer: Marian FaupelChief Lawyer for Plaintiff: Scott BassettJustices: William H. Rehnquist, Harry A. Blackmun, John Paul Stevens, Sandra Day O'Connor, Antonin Scalia, Anthony M. Kennedy…
Defendant: Ira EinhornCrime Charged: MurderChief Defense Lawyer: Norris E. GelmanChief Prosecutors: Lynne Abraham, Joel RosenJudge: Juanita Kidd StoutPlace: Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaDate of Trial: September 1993Verdict: GuiltySentence: Life imprisonment SIGNIFICANCE: Philadelphia prosecutors took the unusual step of trying Ira Einhorn in absentia more than 12 years after he had jumped bail and fl…
Defendants: First trial: Mahmud Abouhalima, Ahmad Ajaj, Nidal Ayyad, and Mohammed Salameh; second trial: Eyad Ismoil and Ramzi YousefCrimes Charged: Multiple offenses, including explosive destruction of property, conspiracy, interstate transportation of explosives, and assault on a federal officerChief Defense Lawyers: First trial: Hassen lbn Abdellah, Atig Ahmed, Austin Campriello, and Robert Pre…
Defendants: First trial: John Wayne Bobbitt; second trial: Lorena BobbittCrimes Charged: First trial: marital sexual assault; second trial: malicious woundingChief Defense Lawyers: First trial: Gregory L. Murphy; second trial: Lisa B. KemlerChief Prosecutor: Both trials: Paul B. Ebert.Judge: Both trials: Herman Whisenaut, Jr.Place: Both trials: Manassas, VirginiaDates of Trials: First Trial: Novem…
Defendants: Damien Wayne Echols, Charles Jason Baldwin, Jessie MisskelleyCrimes Charged: MurderChief Defense Lawyers: Val P. Price, Scott Davidson, Daniel StidhamChief Prosecutors: Brent Davis, John FoglemanJudge: David BurnettPlace: Jonesboro, ArkansasDate of Trial: January-April 1994Verdict: GuiltySentences: Echols: Death by lethal injection; Baldwin and Misskelley: life imprisonment SIGNIFICANC…
Defendant: Dr. Jack KevorkianCrimes Charged: Assisted suicide, murder, delivering a controlled substance for administering drugs without a licenseChief Defense Lawyers: 1994 and 1996: Geoffrey Fieger, Mayer Morganroth; 1999: David Gorosh, Lisa DwyerChief Prosecutor: 1994 and 1996: Richard Thompson, Lawrence Bunting, Michael Modelski; 1999: David Gorcyca, Daniel L. Lemisch, John O'Brien, Joh…
Defendant: Paul CoxCrime Charged: MurderChief Defense Lawyer: Andrew A. RubinChief Prosecutor: George L. BolenJudge: James R. CowheyPlace: White Plains, New YorkDates of Trials:First trial: June 1994; second trial: November-December 1994Verdicts: First trial: Mistrial/hung jury; second trial: Guilty of manslaughterSentence: 16-50 years imprisonment SIGNIFICANCE: The courts refusal in the Paul Cox …
Defendant: Jennifer IrelandPlaintiff: Steven SmithPlaintiff Claim: Custody of his daughter, MarandaChief Defense Lawyer: Julie FieldChief Lawyer for Plaintiff: Sharon-Lee EdwardsJudge: Raymond R. CashenPlace: Macomb County, MichiganDate of Trial: June 27, 1994Decision: Custody was granted to Steven Smith SIGNIFICANCE: The judge's surprising decision granting custody of Baby Maranda to her f…
Defendant: Paula CoughlinPlaintiff: The Las Vegas HiltonPlaintiff Claim: That the Las Vegas Hilton failed to provide adequate security during the 1991 Tailhook conventionChief Defense Lawyer: Eugene WaltChief Lawyer for Plaintiff: Dennis SchovilleJudge: Philip M. ProPlace: Las Vegas, NevadaDate of Trial: September 12-October 28, 1994Verdict: Against the defendant, awarding the plaintiff $1.7 milli…
Defendant: Paul J. HillCrimes Charged: Murder, attempted murder, and shooting at an occupied vehicleChief Defense Lawyer: Paul HillChief Prosecutor: James R. MurrayJudge: FrankL. BellPlace: Pensacola, FloridaDates of Trial: October 31-November 3, 1994Verdict: Guilty of all chargesSentence: Death by electrocution SIGNIFICANCE: Paul Hill was the first anti-abortion activist sentenced to die for murd…
Defendants: Tupac Shakur and Charles FullerCrimes Charged: Sexual abuse, sodomy, and illegal possession of a firearmChief Defense Lawyer: Michael WarrenChief Prosecutor: Francine JamesJudge: Daniel P. FitzgeraldPlace: New York, New YorkDates of Trial: November-December 1994Verdict: Guilty of sexual abuse; acquitted on the two other chargesSentence: Shakur: 18 months to 4 and one-half years impriso…
Plaintiff: Sidney E. ZionDefendants: The New York Hospital, Maurice Leonard, M.D., Raymond Sherman, M.D., Gregg Stone, M.D., and Luise Weinstein, M.D.Crime Charged: Medical malpractice resulting in wrongful deathChief Defense Lawyers: Francis P. Bensel, Peter T. Crean, Luke M. Pittoni, and Keith C. ThompsonChief Lawyers for Plaintiff: David Bamberger, Cheryl Bulbach, Judith Livingston, and Thomas …
By October 1997, the Paula Jones case was getting funding from the Rutherford Institute, a nonprofit organization dedicated to defending civil liberties. That month, Rutherford received three anonymous phone calls from a woman who said President Clinton might have had an affair with a woman named Monica Lewinsky. The Rutherford lawyers realized that such a person could be a valuable witness for Jo…
On Tuesday, October 3, across the country people learned that the jury had found Orenthal James Simpson not guilty of murder. In the days following the verdict, while O.J. Simpson promised to find Nicole and Ron Goldman's killer(s), the LAPD and Los Angeles district attorney announced that the investigation into the murders was closed. …
Defendant: Colin FergusonCrimes Charged: Murder, attempted murderChief Defense Lawyers: Colin Ferguson, Alton RoseChief Prosecutor: George PeckJudge: Donald BelfiPlace: Mineola, New YorkDate of Trial: January 26-February 17, 1995Verdict: Guilty on 68 of 93 counts, including murder, attempted murder, assault, reckless endangerment, weapons possessionSentence: 6 consecutive 25-years-to-life terms fo…
Defendants: Sheik Omar Abdel Rahman, El Sayyid Nosair, Ibrahim El-Gabrowny, Victor Alvarez, Amir Abdelgani, Fadil Abdelghani, Tarig Elhassan, Ramzi Ahmed Yousef, Rodney Hampton-El, Fares Khallafalla, and Mohammed SalehCrimes Charged: All defendants: Seditious conspiracy; Nosair: Murder and assault; individual charges included solicitation and conspiracy to commit assassination or bombings, violati…
Defendant: Waneta HoytCrime Charged: MurderChief Defense Lawyers: Robert Miller and Raymond J. UrbanskiChief Prosecutors: Robert J. Simpson and Margaret DrakeJudge: Vincent SguegliaPlace: Owego, New YorkDates of Trial: March 30—April 21, 1995Verdict: Guilty on 5 counts of murderSentence: 75 years imprisonment (she died of cancer after serving 3) SIGNIFICANCE: The Waneta Hoyt case challenged…
Defendants: John Lotter, Marvin Thomas NissenCrimes Charged: Murder, kidnap, rapeChief Defense Lawyers: Lotter: Michael Fabian; Nissen: Peter BlakesleeChief Prosecutor: James ElworthJudge: Robert FinnPlace: Falls City, NebraskaDates of Trials: Lotter: May 15-25, 1995; Nissen: February 21-March 3, 1995Verdicts: Lotter: guilty of three counts of first-degree murder and four other charges; Nissen: gu…
Defendant: Susan SmithCrime Charged: MurderChief Defense Lawyers: David Bruck and Judy ClarkeChief Prosecutor: Tommy PopeJudge: William HowardPlace: Union, South CarolinaDates of Trial: July 18-28, 1995Verdict: GuiltySentence: Life imprisonment SIGNIFICANCE: The notion of a mother deliberately killing her own children is particularly abhorrent, but as this trial revealed, all too often mere facts …
Defendant: Yolanda SaldivarCrime Charged: MurderChief Defense Lawyer: Doug TinkerChief Prosecutor Carlos ValdezJudge: Mike WestergrenPlace: Houston, TexasDate of Trial: October 11-23, 1995Verdict: GuiltySentence: Life in prison with possibility of parole in 30 years SIGNIFICANCE: The fate of a popular music star's killer hung on one question: Was she a suicidal woman accidentally shooting t…
Defendants: Calvin Broadus, McKinley LeeCrimes Charged: Murder, voluntary manslaughter, conspiracy to commit assault; accessory to murder after the fact (Broadus)Chief Defense Lawyers: Broadus: David Kenner, Marcia Morrissey; Lee: Donald Re Chief Prosecutors: Edward Nison, Robert GraceJudge: Paul G. FlynnPlace: Los Angeles, CaliforniaDate of Trial: November 27, 1995-February 21, 1996Verdict: Not g…
Defendant: Len DavisCrime Charged: MurderChief Defense Lawyer: Dwight DoskeyChief Prosecutors: Constantine Georges, Michael McMahonJudge: Ginger BerriganPlace: New Orleans, LouisianaDate of Trial: April 8—April 24, 1996Verdict: GuiltySentence: Death SIGNIFICANCE: This trial blew the lid off police corruption in one of America's major cities. Even in a city as wearily accustomed to cr…
Defendant: Richard Allen DavisCrimes Charged: Murder, robbery, kidnapping, burglary, attempting a lewd act with a minor, and other chargesChief Defense Lawyers: Barry Collins and Lorena ChandlerChief Prosecutor: Greg JacobsJudge: Thomas HastingsPlace: San Jose, CaliforniaDates of Trial: April 17-June 18, 1996Verdict: GuiltySentence: Death by lethal injection SIGNIFICANCE: The 1993 abduction and mu…
Principal Defendants: Jonathan Schmitz, The Jenny Jones television show, and Warner BrothersClaims/Crimes Charged: Wrongful death, murder, and committing a felony with a firearmChief Defense Lawyers: Schmitz: James Burdick, Fred L. Gibson, and Jerome Sabbota; Jenny Jones/Warner Brothers: James FeeneyChief Prosecutors: Roman Kalytiak and Donna PendergastChief Lawyer for Plaintiff: Geoffrey N. Fiege…
Defendant Alex KellyCrime Charged: Sexual assault, kidnapping (first trial only)Chief Defense Lawyers: Thomas P. Puccio, Hope SeeleyChief Prosecutor: Bruce P. HuddockJudges: First trial: Martin L. Nigro; Second trial: Kevin TierneyPlace: Stamford, ConnecticutDates of Trials: October 15-November 12, 1996; April 9-June 12, 1997Verdicts: First trial: Mistrial; Second trial: GuiltySentence: 20 years i…
Defendant: Darlie Lynn RoutierCrime Charged: MurderChief Defense Lawyer: Doug MulderChief Prosecutor: Greg DavisJudge: Mark TollePlace: Kerrville, TexasDates of Trial: January 6-February 1, 1997Verdict: GuiltySentence: Death SIGNIFICANCE: Young mother Darlie Routier did the unthinkable: she murdered her two sons in cold blood. This grizzly capital murder case, built on detailed, abundant and damni…
Defendant: John E. DuPontCrimes Charged: Murder, assaultChief Defense Lawyer: Thomas BergstromChief Prosecutor: Joseph McEdiganJudge: Patricia JenkinsPlace: Delaware County, PennsylvaniaDates of Trial: January 21-February 25, 1997Verdict: Guilty of third-degree murder and assaultSentence: 13-30 years in prison SIGNIFICANCE: The trial focused national attention on the insanity defense, particularly…
Defendant: Frederic TokarsCrime Charged: MurderChief Defense Lawyers: Bobby Lee Cook, James Berry, Jerry Froelich, Ed MoriarityChief Prosecutors: Tom Charron, Russ ParkerJudge: James G. BodifordPlace: LaFayette, GeorgiaDate of Trial: January 30-March 8, 1997Verdict: GuiltySentence: Life imprisonment SIGNIFICANCE: Issues of double jeopardy were aroused when this Atlanta lawyer, already serving four…
Defendants: Timothy J. McVeigh and Terry L. NicholsCrimes Charged: Murder, conspiracy to use a weapon of mass destruction, use of a weapon of mass destruction, and destruction by explosiveChief Defense Lawyers: McVeigh: Stephen Jones and Robert Nigh, Jr.; Nichols: Michael Tigar and Ron WoodsChief Prosecutors: McVeigh: Joseph Hartzler; Nichols: Larry MackeyJudge: Richard MatschPlace: Denver, Colora…
Defendant: Rita GluzmanCrime Charged: Interstate domestic violenceChief Defense Lawyer: Lawrence HocheiserChief Prosecutor: Deidre DalyJudge: Barrington D. Parker, Jr.Place: White Plains, New YorkDate of Trial: April 30, 1997Verdict: GuiltySentence: Life imprisonment without parole SIGNIFICANCE: Rita Gluzman was the first woman to be convicted under the Violence Against Women Act 18 USC 2261. Rita…
Defendant: Jesse TimmendequasCrimes Charged: Murder, kidnapping, rape, sodomyChief Defense Lawyers: Barbara R. Lependorf, Roy B. GreenmanChief Prosecutors: Kathyrn Flicker, Lewis KorngutJudge: Andrew J. SmithsonPlace: Trenton, New JerseyDate of Trial: May 5-June 20, 1997Verdict: GuiltySentence: Death SIGNIFICANCE: Because of the publicity in the wake of Megan Kanka's murder, most states now…
Defendant: Vincent "The Chin" GiganteCrimes Charged: Racketeering, murder, conspiracy to commit murderChief Defense Lawyer: Michael MarinaccioChief Prosecutors: George Stamboulidis, Andrew WeissmanJudge: Jack WeinsteinPlace: New York, New YorkDate of Trial: June 25—July 25, 1997Verdict: Guilty of racketeering and conspiracy to murderSentence: 12 years in prison and $1.25 milli…
Plaintiff: Jerold J. MackenzieDefendant: Miller Brewing Company and two Miller employees, Robert L. Smith and Patricia G. BestPlaintiff Claim: Intentional misrepresentation, tortious interference with prospective contract, tortious interference with contractChief Lawyer for Plaintiff: Gerald P. BoyleChief Defense Lawyer: Frank J. DailyCircuit Court Judge: Louise TesmerAppeals Court Judges: Ralph A…
Defendant: Vincent DoanCrimes Charged: Murder, kidnappingChief Defense Lawyers: John H. Rion, Jon Paul Rion (criminal trial); John H. Rion, Kort Gatterdam (sentencing hearing)Chief Prosecutor: William PeelleJudge: William McCrackenPlace: Wilmington, OhioDate of Trial: July 21, 1997-August 7, 1997Verdict: Guilty on one count of aggravated murder and three counts of kidnapping; not guilty on one cou…
Defendant: Marv AlbertCrime Charged: Forcible sodomy and assault and batteryChief Defense Lawyer: Roy BlackChief Prosecutor: Richard TroddenJudge: Benjamin KendrickPlace: Arlington, VirginiaDates of Trial: September 22-October 24, 1997Verdict: GuiltySentence: 1-year suspended sentence SIGNIFICANCE: A celebrity defendant, steamy sex allegations, and surprise testimony made this one of the most clos…
Defendant: Louise WoodwardCrime Charged: MurderChief Defense Lawyers: Barry Scheck, Andrew Good, and Harvey SilverglateChief Prosecutors: Gerard Leone, Jr. and Martha CoakleyJudge: Hiller ZobelPlace: Cambridge, MassachusettsDates of Trial: October 7-31, 1997Verdict: Guilty of second-degree murder (later reduced to involuntary manslaughter)Sentence: Life imprisonment (later reduced to time served) …
Plaintiff: Steven PagonesDefendants: Al Sharpton, Alton H. Maddox, Jr., and C. Vernon MasonPlaintiff Claim: Defamation of characterChief Defense Lawyers: Sharpton: Michael Hardy; Alton Maddox; Mason: Stephen C. JacksonChief Lawyer for Plaintiffs: William StantonJudge: S. Barrett HickmanPlace: Poughkeepsie, New YorkDates of Trial: November 18, 1997-July 13, 1998Verdict: Against all defendants; Pago…
Appellant: Joseph OncaleDefendant: Sundowner Offshore Services, Inc.Appellant's Claim: Sexual harassmentChief Defense Lawyer: Harry M. ReasonerChief Lawyers for Appellant: Nicholas Canaday Ill, Edwin S. Kneedler, and U.S. Department of Justice (amicus curiae)Justices: Stephen G. Breyer, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Anthony M. Kennedy, Sandra Day O'Connor, William H. Rehnquist, Antonin Scalia…
Plaintiff: Casey MartinDefendants: Professional Golfers' Association (PGA) TourPlaintiff Claim: Violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (1990) by refusing to adapt tournament rules to accommodate his disabilityChief Lawyers for Plaintiff: Trial: William Wiswall, Martha Walters; Supreme Court: Roy L. ReardonChief Defense Lawyers: Trial: William Maledon; Supreme Court: H. Bartow Farr…
Claim: That Claud Johnson was the biological son and sole heir of Robert L. JohnsonClaimant: Claud L. JohnsonContestants: Robert M. Harris, Annye C. AndersonClaimant's Lawyers: James W. Kitchens, Nancy A. OlsonContestants' Lawyers: Stephen E. Nevas, Karla KithcartJudge: Jon M. BarnwellPlace: Greenwood, MississippiDates of Hearing: October 12-15, 1998Decision: In favor of claimant SIG…
Defendant: Microsoft CorporationOffenses Charged: Violations of the Sherman Antitrust Acts. Two counts under Section 1: exclusive dealing and unlawful tying; two counts under Section 2: monopoly maintenance in the operating systems market, and attempted monopolization of the Internet browser marketChief Defense Lawyers: Bill Neukom, John WardenChief Prosecutors: David Boies and lawyers of the U.S.…
Defendant: Charles Chitat NgCrimes Charged: Murder, kidnapping, unlawful restraintChief Defense Lawyers: Allyn Jaffrey, Carl C. Holmes, William KelleyChief Prosecutor: Sharlene HonnakaJudges: Robert R. Fitzgerald, John J. RyanPlace: Santa Ana, CaliforniaDate of Trial: October 26, 1998-February 24, 1999Verdict: GuiltySentence: Death SIGNIFICANCE: At stake was whether a truly monstrous criminal, who…
Defendant: Thomas CapanoCrime Charged: MurderChief Defense Lawyers: Joseph S. Oteri, Eugene Maurer and Charles M. Oberly IllChief Prosecutors: Colm Connolly and Ferris W. WhartonJudge: William Swain LeePlace: Wilmington, DelawareDates of Trial: October 26, 1998-January 18, 1999Verdict. GuiltySentence: Death SIGNIFICANCE: The notorious murder trial of one of the state's most prominent attorn…
Defendants: Michael Bellomo, Thomas Bruder, Charles Schwarz, Justin A. Volpe, and Thomas WieseCrimes Charged: First trial: Bellomo: False statements; Bruder, Schwarz, Volpe, and Wiese: Violation of civil rights (i.e., aggravated harassment based on race, color, religion or national origin); second trial: Bruder, Schwarz, and Wiese: Conspiracy to obstruct justiceChief Defense Lawyers: Bellomo: John…
Defendant: Mark CrawfordCrimes Charged: Murder in aid of racketeering, racketeering, racketeering conspiracy, kidnapping, conspiracy to embezzle, embezzlement, wire fraud, money laundering, conspiracy to distribute marijuana, perjury, obstruction of justice by killing a witness, obstruction of justice by retaliating against a witness, conspiracy to threaten to commit a crime of violence against an…
Defendant: Kevin D. MitnickCrimes Charged: Wire fraud (14 counts), possession of unauthorized access devices (8 counts), interception of wire or electronic communications, unauthorized access to a federal computer, and causing damage to a computerChief Defense Lawyers: Donald Randolph and Gregory VincentChief Prosecutors: Christopher Painter and David SchindlerJudge: Marianna PfaelzerPlace: Los An…
Defendant Aaron James McKinneyCrimes Charged: Murder, kidnapping, robberyChief Defense Lawyers: Dion Custis, Jason TangemanChief Prosecutor: Calvin ReruchaJudge: Barton VoigtPlace: Laramie, WyomingDate of Trial: October 25-November 4, 1999Verdict: GuiltySentence: Two life terms with no possibility of parole SIGNIFICANCE: The murder of Matthew Shepard, an openly gay college student, by Aaron McKinn…
Defendant: Nathaniel AbrahamCrimes Charged: Murder, assault with intent to murder, and felony use of a firearmChief Defense Lawyer: Geoffrey FiegerChief Prosecutor: Lisa HalushkaJudge: Eugene A. MoorePlace: Pontiac, MichiganDates of Trial: October 29-November 16, 1999Verdict: Guilty of second-degree murderSentence: Placement in a juvenile detention center until the age of 21 SIGNIFICANCE: Only 11 …
Defendants: Edwin Edwards, Stephen Edwards, Andrew Martin, Greg Tarver, Ecotry Fuller, Bobby Johnson, Cecil BrownCrimes Charged: Extortion, mail fraud, wire fraud, money laundering, interstate travel and communication in aid of racketeering, false statements, illegal wiretapping, Racketeer-influenced Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act violations, conspiracyChief Defense Lawyers: Edwin Edwards: Danie…
Defendants: Kenneth Boss, Sean Carroll, Edward McMellon, and Richard MurphyCrime Charged: MurderChief Defense Lawyers: Boss: Steven Brounstein and Ben Herzweig; Carroll: Bennett Epstein, Marvin Kornberg, and John Patten; McMellon: Stephen Worth; Murphy: James CulletonChief Prosecutors: Robert T. Johnson, Donald Levin, and Eric WarnerJudge: Joseph TeresiPlace: Albany, New YorkDates of Trial: Februa…
Defendants: Sante and Kenneth KimesCrimes Charged: Murder, criminal possession of a weapon, conspiracy, forgery, robbery, burglary, grand larceny, eavesdroppingChief Defense Lawyers: Sante Kimes: Michael Hardy; Kenneth Kimes: Mel SachsChief Prosecutors: Owen Heimer, Connie FernandezJudge: Rena UvillerPlace: New York, New YorkDate of Trial: February 15-May 18, 2000Verdicts: Sante Kimes: guilty on 5…
Defendants: Sandra "Sandy" Murphy, Richard B. "Rick" TabishCrime Charged: Murder, grand larceny, burglaryChief Defense Lawyers: John Momot, Louis PalazzoChief Prosecutor: David RogerJudge: Joseph BonaventurePlace: Las Vegas, NevadaDate of Trial: March 27-May 18, 2000 (Appeal pending before Nevada Supreme Court)Verdict: GuiltySentence: Life in prison with possibility of …
Defendant: Ray LewisCrimes Charged: Murder, assault with a deadly weaponDefense Lawyers: Ed Garland, Jana Harris, Max RichardsonProsecutor: Paul HowardJudge: Alice D. BonnerPlace: Atlanta, GeorgiaDates of Trial: May-June 2000Verdict: Guilty of obstruction of justice; other charges dropped SIGNIFICANCE: The arrest of Ray Lewis, a National Football League (NFL) linebacker with the Baltimore Ravens, …
Defendant: Edmund KoCrime Charged: MurderChief Defense Lawyer: Jack LitmanChief Prosecutors: Ann Prunty, Lisa FrielJudge: Harold B. BeelerPlace: New York, New YorkDate of Trial: May 31-July 27, 2000Verdict: GuiltySentence: 25 years to life SIGNIFICANCE: The right to silence is enshrined in the American constitution. Here, two individuals availed themselves of this right, with drastically different…
Defendant: David BrockCrime Charged: Four articles of impeachmentChief Defense Lawyers: David Barry, Michael MadiganChief Prosecutor: Joseph SteinfieldJudges: The Senate of the State of New HampshirePlace: Concord, New HampshireDate of Trial: September 18-October 10, 2000Verdict: Not guilty SIGNIFICANCE: This was the first impeachment trial of a chief justice of a state supreme court in U.S. histo…
Defendant: Robert BierenbaumCrime Charged: MurderChief Defense Lawyers: Scott Greenfield, David LewisChief Prosecutor: Daniel BibbJudge: Leslie Crocker SnyderPlace: Manhattan, New YorkDate of Trial: October 2-24, 2000Verdict: GuiltySentence: 20 years to life SIGNIFICANCE: Fourteen years after the disappearance of his wife, a prominent New York City doctor was tried and convicted for her murder, al…
Defendants: Michael Buchanan, Paul Harper, Brian Liddy, Edward OrtizCrimes Charged: Conspiracy to obstruct justice, filing false police reports, lying under oathChief Defense Lawyers: Harland Braun (Buchanan), Joel Isaacson (Harper), Paul DePasquale (Liddy), Barry Levin (Ortiz)Chief Prosecutors: Laura Laesecke, Anne IngallsJudge: Jacqueline ConnerPlace: Los Angeles, CaliforniaDate of Trial: Octobe…
Defendant: Kristen H. GilbertCrimes Charged: Murder, attempted murderChief Defense Lawyers: David P. Hoose, Harry L. Miles, Paul WeinbergChief Prosecutors: William M. Welch, Ariane D. VuonoJudge: Michael A. PonsorPlace: Springfield, MassachusettsDate of Trial: October 16, 2000-March 26, 2001Verdict: Guilty of three cases of first-degree murder and of one case of second-degree-murder; also guilty o…
Defendant Gabriel GomezCrimes Charged: Murder, kidnappingChief Defense Lawyer: Antonio BestardChief Prosecutor: Donald J. ClemJudge: Robert MartinezPlace: Pomona, CaliforniaDate of Trial: October 23-31, 2000Verdict: GuiltySentence: Life imprisonment without parole, plus 22 years SIGNIFICANCE: The disappearance of Sandra Rosas, wife of Los Lobos cofounder Cesar Rosas, was immediately linked to her …
Defendant: Rae Lamar Theotis Wiggins, a.k.a. Rae CarruthCrimes Charged: Murder, conspiracy to commit murder, shooting into an occupied vehicle, using a gun to attempt to kill an unborn childChief Defense Lawyers: David Rudolph, Christopher FialkoChief Prosecutor: Gentry CaudillJudge: Charles LammPlace: Charlotte, North CarolinaDate of Trial: October 23, 2000-January 19, 2001Verdict: Not guilty of …
Plaintiff: Al GoreDefendants: George W. Bush, Katherine HarrisChief Lawyers for Plaintiff: David Boies, W. Dexter Douglas, Bruce Rogow, Laurence H. Tribe, Stephen ZackChief Defense Lawyers: Philip Beck, Benjamin L. Ginsberg, Theodore B. Olson, Barry Richard, George Terwilliger (Bush); Joseph P. Klock, Jr. (Harris)Judges: Leon County, Florida, Circuit Court: Terry P. Lewis, N. Sanders Sauls; Browar…
Defendants: Sean "Puff Daddy" Combs, Jamaal "Shyne" Barrow, Anthony JonesCrimes Charged: Combs and Jones: Criminal possession of a firearm, bribing a witness; Barrow: Attempted murder, assault, criminal use and possession of a firearm, reckless endangermentChief Defense Lawyers: Combs: Benjamin Brafman, Johnnie Cochran, Jr.; Jones: Michael Bachner; Barrow: lan Niles, Mu…