Notable Trials and Court Cases - 1941 to 1953

Bill Tilden Trials: 1947 1949 - An Unlikely Champion, Out Of The Closet, Tilden Arrested

Defendant: William Tatem Tilden 11Crime Charged: Contributing to the delinquency of a minorChief Defense Lawyer: Richard MaddoxChief Prosecutor: William RitziJudge: A. A. ScottPlace: Los Angeles, CaliforniaDates of Trials: January 16, 1947; February 10, 1949Verdicts: GuiltySentences: One year in jail each time SIGNIFICANCE: Bill Tilden was one of the greatest tennis player who ever lived. He conso…

D. Kansas Opinion of U.S. District Court August (3,) (1951) - How To Use Milestones In The Law, This Case In History, Brown V. Board Of Education Of Topeka - ISSUE, MATERIALS

Civil Rights Opinion of U.S. District Court, D. Kansas, August, 3, 1951 Initial Briefs to the Supreme Court Memorandum Decision to the Supreme Court, June 8, 1953 Briefs to the parties on Reargument Opinion of the Supreme Court, May 17, 1954 Briefs to the Court of Further Reargument Opinion of the Supreme Court, May 31, 1955 …

Bercovici v. Chaplin: 1947 - "the Little Tramp" Plays To A Full House, Plaintiff Claims Oral Agreement, Suggestions For Further Reading

Plaintiff: Konrad BercoviciDefendant: Charles S. ChaplinPlaintiff Claim: PlagiarismChief Defense Lawyer: Louis FrohlichChief Lawyer for Plaintiff: Louis NizerJudge: Harold P. BurkePlace: New York, New YorkDates of Trial: April 17-May 1, 1947Verdict: None; suit settled for $95,000 payment by Chaplin SIGNIFICANCE: This suit against Charlie Chaplin for plagiarism attracted international attention and…

Caryl Chessman Trial: 1948 - Defends Himself, Controversial Transcript

Defendant: Caryl Whittier ChessmanCrimes Charged: Kidnapping, sexual perversion, and robberyChief Defense Lawyers: Caryl Chessman and Al MatthewsChief Prosecutor: J. Miller LeavyJudge: Charles W. FrickePlace: Los Angeles, CaliforniaDates of Trial: April 4-May 21, 1948Verdict: GuiltySentence: Death SIGNIFICANCE: Caryl Chessman's uniquely documented struggle against capital punishment not onl…

Brief for Appellants - Appeal From The United States District Court For The District Of Kansasbrief For Appellants, Questions Presented - In the Supreme Court of the United States October Term (1952), OPINION BELOW, JURISDICTION

The opinion of the statutory three-judge-District Court for the District of Kansas (R. 238-244) is reported at 98 F. Supp. 797. The judgment of the court below was entered on August 3, 1951 (R. 247). On October 1, 1951, appellants filed a petition for appeal (R. 248), and an order allowing the appeal was entered (R. 250). Probable jurisdiction was noted on June 9, 1952 (R. 254). Jurisdiction of th…

Hollywood Ten Trials: 1948-50 - Hollywood Divided Into Two Camps, The Right To Remain Silent, "i Would Hate Myself In The Morning"

Defendants: Alvah Bessie, Herbert Biberman, Lester Cole, Edward Dmytryk, Ring Lardner, Jr., John Howard Lawson, Albert Maltz, Sam Ornitz, Robert Adrian Scott, and Dalton TrumboCrime Charged: Contempt of CongressChief Defense Lawyers: Bartley Crum, Charles J. Katz, Robert W. Kenny, and Martin PopperChief Prosecutor: William HitzJudges: Edward M. Curran, Richmond B. Keech, and David A. PinePlace: Wa…

Youngstown Sheet Tube Co. v. Sawyer - Further Readings

Appendix to Appellants' Briefs - In The Supreme Court Of The United States October Term, 1952, Appendix To Appellants' Briefsthe Effects Of Segregation And The Consequences Of Desegregation: A Social Science Statementstatement Of Counsel

Wolf v. People of the State of Colorado

Alger Hiss Trials: 1949-50 - Hiss Denies Communist Link, A "bombshell," A Seaplane, A Pumpkin, A Typewriter Proves Elusive

Defendant: Alger HissCrime Charged: PerjuryChief Defense Lawyers: Robert M. Benjamin, Claude B. Cross, Chester T. Lane, Edward C. McLean, Robert von Mehren, Victor Rabinowitz, Harold Rosenwald, Harol Shapero, and Lloyd Paul StrykrChief Prosecutors: Thomas J. Donegan, Myles J. Lane, Thomas F. Murphy, and Clarke S. RyanJudges: First trial: Samuel J. Kaufman; Second trial: Henry W. GoddardPlace: New …

Rochin v. California - Further Readings

Brief for Appellees - Brief For Appellees, I. Preliminary Statement, Iv. Questions Presented, V. The Statute - In the Supreme Court of the United States October Term (1952), II. OPINION BELOW

APPEAL FROM THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF KANSAS The opinion of the three-judge District Court below: (R-238-244) is reported at 98 Fed. Supp. 797. The judgment of the court below was entered on August 3, 1951 (R. 247). On October 1, 1951, appellants filed a petition for appeal (R. 248), and an order allowing the appeal was entered (R. 251). Probable jurisdiction was noted o…

Martha Beck Trial: 1949 - Partnership Thrives, The Kiss In The Courtroom, Suggestions For Further Reading

Defendants: Martha Beck and Raymond FernandezCrime Charged: MurderChief Defense Lawyers: John H. Minton and Herbert E. RosenbergChief Prosecutors: Edward F. Breslin, James W. Gehrig, and Edward Robinson, Jr.Judge: Ferdinand PecoraPlace: New York, New YorkDates of Trial: June 9-August 18, 1949Verdict: GuiltySentence: Death by electrocution SIGNIFICANCE: This notorious "lonely hearts murders&…

June Memorandum Decision of the Supreme Court (8,) (1953) - U.s. Supreme Court, October 1953 Brown V. Board Of Education Of Topeka

Ruth Ann Steinhagen Trial: 1949 - "i Just Had To Shoot Somebody", "near Miraculous" Recovery, Obsession At First Sight

Defendant: Ruth Ann SteinhagenCrime Charged: Assault with intent to commit murderChief Defense Lawyer: George BieberChief Prosecutor: John S. BoyleJudge: James J. McDermottPlace: Chicago, IllinoisDate of Trial: June 30, 1949Verdict: Not guilty by reason of insanity SIGNIFICANCE: The near-murder of Eddie Waitkus, star first baseman of the Philadelphia Phillies, was one of the first sensational exam…

Tokyo Rose Trial: 1949 - Toguri Tried For Treason, Suggestions For Further Reading

Defendant: Iva Ikuko Toguri ("Tokyo Rose")Crime Charged: TreasonChief Defense Lawyers: Wayne M. Collins, George Oishausen, and Theodore TambaChief Prosecutors: Thomas DeWolfe, Frank J. Hennessy, John Hogan, and James KnappJudge: Michael J. RochePlace: San Francisco, CaliforniaDates of Trial: July 5-September 29, 1949Verdict: GuiltySentence: 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine SIGNI…

Hannegan v. Esquire

Brief for Appellants in Nos. 2 (1,) and 4 and for Respondents in No. on Reargument (10 ) - The Supreme Court Of The United States October Term, 1953, Appeals From The United States District Court For The District Of Kansas, The Eastern District Of South C

Trial of Julius and Ethel Rosenberg and Morton Sobell: 1951 - Invited To Engage In Espionage, Prosecution Witnesses Provide Details, A Jell-o Box Cut In Two

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…

Dennis v. U.S. Appeal: 1951 - "clear And Present Danger", "beyond These Powers We Must Not Go", Dissenters Cite Prior Censorship

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 …

Southern Pacific Co. v. Arizona - Further Readings

Gertrude Morris Trial: 1952 - Extraordinary Defense Opening, Defendant Flees Courtroom

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…

International Shoe Co. v. State of Washington - Further Readings

Robert W. Grow Court-Martial: 1952 - Parts Of Diary Published, Grow Is Charged, Debate On The Classification Of The Diary, Suggestions For Further Reading

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…

Cox v. New Hampshire

American Communications Association v. Douds

Adler et al. v. Board of Education of the City of New York

Railroad Commission of Texas v. Pullman Company

West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette

Everson v. Board of Education - Further Readings

Illinois ex rel. McCollum v. Board of Education - Further Readings

Zorach v. Clauson - Further Readings

Pollock v. Williams

Louisiana ex rel. Francis v. Resweber - Further Readings

Morgan v. Commonwealth of Virginia

Shelley v. Kraemer

McLaurin v. Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education

Sweatt v. Painter

United States v. Darby - Further Readings

Woods v. Cloyd W. Miller Co.

Smith v. Allwright - Further Readings

Chaplinsky v. New Hampshire

Thomas v. Collins

Colegrove v. Green - Further Readings

Marsh v. Alabama

Terry v. Adams

Terminiello v. Chicago

Feiner v. New York

Ex Parte Quirin

United States v. Causby

Dennis v. United States - Further Readings

Inc. v. Wilson Joseph Burstyn Commissioner of Education of New York etal.

Skinner v. Oklahoma - Further Readings

Hirabayashi v. United States - Further Readings

Korematsu v. United States - Further Readings

Ex Parte Endo - Further Readings

Wickard v. Filburn - Further Readings

Ashcraft v. State of Tennessee

Bute v. Illinois

Inc. Trials Murder: 1941 - "we Only Kill Each Other", Surrender To J. Edgar Hoover And Walter Winchell, Suggestions For Further Reading

Defendants: Frank "The Dasher" Abbandando, Louis "Lepke" Buchalter, Louis Capone, Martin "Buggsy" Goldstein, Harry "Happy" Malone, Harry "Pittsburgh Phil" Strauss, and Mendy WeissCrime Charged: MurderChief Defense Lawyers: Hyman Barshay, James L. Cuff, William Kleinman, David F. Price, Daniel M. Pryor, and Alfred I. RosnerChief …

Sleepy Lagoon Trials: 1942-43 - Zoot Suit Riots, "tangible And Substantial Evidence Is Woefully Lacking", Suggestions For Further Reading

Defendants: Manuel Delgado, Henry Leyvas, John Matuz, Jack Melendez, Angel Padilla, Ysmael Parra, Manuel Reyes, Chepe Ruiz, Robert Telles, Victor Thompson, Henry Ynostroza, Gus Zammora et al.Crimes Charged: Murder, assault with a deadly weapon with intent to commit murder, misdemeanor assaultChief Defense Lawyers: George E. Shibley, et al.Chief Prosecutors: John Barnes, Clyde ShoemakerJudge: Charl…

Errol Flynn Trial: 1943 - "j.b." And "s.q.q.", Suggestions For Further Reading

Defendant: Errol FlynnCrime Charged: Statutory RapeChief Defense Lawyers: Jerry Geisler and Robert NeebChief Prosecutors: Thomas W. Cochran and John HopkinsJudge: Leslie E. StillPlace: Los Angeles, CaliforniaDates of Trial: January 11-February 6, 1943Verdict: Not guilty SIGNIFICANCE: Despite the outcome, the Errol Flynn trial focused national attention on Hollywood's sexual mores, which bot…

Bernard J. Lotka and Tillie Michalski Trials: 1943 - Child Of A Secret Relationship, Baby's Body Found At Motor Court, Both Parents Face Death Penalty

Defendants: Bernard Joseph Lotka, Tillie MichalskiCrime Charged: MurderChief Defense Lawyers: Lotka: George A. Codding, 0. H. Bengtson; Michalski: Otto J. FrohnmayerChief Prosecutors: George W. Neilson, Allison MoultonJudge: H. K. HannaPlace: Medford, OregonDate of Trials: Lotka: May 17-20, 1943 Michalski: May 24-28, 1943Verdicts: Lotka: guilty of second-degree murder; Michalski: not guiltySentenc…

Eddie Slovik Court-Martial: 1944 - A "damn Good Guy", "if I Leave Now, Will It Be Desertion?", "i've Made Up My Mind"

Defendant: Private Eddie D. SlovikCrime Charged: Violation of the 58th Article of War (desertion to avoid hazardous duty)Chief Defense Lawyer: Captain Edward P. WoodsChief Prosecutor: Captain John 1. GreenJudges: 1st Lieutenant Bernard Altman, Captain Stanley H. French, Captain Benedict B. Kimmelman, Major Orland F. Leighty, Major Robert D. Montondo, Captain Arthur V. Patterson, Captain Clarence W…

Ex Parte Endo Trial: 1944 - Petition And Appeal Stretch Over 21 Months, Confined Under Armed Guard, Suggestions For Further Reading

Appellant and Defendant: Mitsuye EndoAppellant Claim: Entitlement to habeas corpusChief Lawyer for Plaintiff: Charles FaheyChief Lawyer for Appellant James C. PurcellJustices: Chief Justice Harlan F. Stone; Justices Hugo L. Black, William 0. Douglas, Felix Frankfurter, Robert H. Jackson, Frank Murphy, Stanley F. Reed, Owen J. Roberts, and Wiley B. RutledgePlace: Washington, D.C.Date of Decision: D…

Adamson v. California

Ezra Pound Trial: 1946 - "europe Calling! Pound Speaking!", "poor Old Ezra Is Quite, Quite Balmy"

Defendant: Ezra PoundCrime Charged: TreasonChief Defense Lawyers: Thurman Arnold, Julien Cornell, and Robert W. Furniss, Jr.Chief Prosecutors: Isaiah Matlack, and Oliver GaschJudge: Bolitha J. LawsPlace: Washington, D.C.Date of Trial: February 13, 1946Verdict: Unsound mind; indictment dismissed in 1958 SIGNIFICANCE: This case involved a unique combination of elements: the charge of treason, a defe…

Sally Rand Trial: 1946 - Up The Runway … To "clair De Lune", "dealing With The Naked Truth"

Defendant: Sally Rand (Helen Gould Beck)Crime Charged: Indecent exposure, corrupting the morals of an audience, and conducting an obscene showChief Defense Lawyer: J.W. "Jake" EhrlichChief Prosecutor: Frank BrownJudge: Daniel R. ShoemakerPlace: San Francisco, CaliforniaDates of Trial: November 13-14, 1946Verdict: Not guilty SIGNIFICANCE: The brief trial of Sally Rand demonstrated the…