Bruce A. Ragsdale

Federal Judicial Center

This edition presents the true story of the infamous trial and all those included, together with the actual transcript of the testimonies, closing arguments and the verdict. 
The trial of political activists accused of inciting riots during the Democratic National Convention of 1968 attracted national attention and exposed the depths of political and cultural divisions at a crucial moment in the nation's history. The trial of the "Chicago Seven" became a defining event in public debates about the Vietnam War, the student protest movement, and the fairness of the federal judicial process.
The defendants and their lawyers used the courtroom as a platform for a broad critique of American society and an almost anarchic challenge to the legitimacy of governmental authority. The judge in the case displayed open contempt for the defendants, and his own unorthodox behavior threatened public confidence in the judiciary. The nearly five-month long trial illustrated the contentious and often theatrical nature of public affairs during the late 1960s and early 1970s.
Witness Testimonies:
Bobby Seale
Abbie Hoffman
Rennie Davis
Jesse Jackson
Norman Mailer
Richard Daley (Mayor of Chicago) 
James Riordan (Deputy Chief of Police) 
Robert Murray (Police) 
Frank Riggio's Testimony (Detective) 
Irwin Bock's Testimony (Police) 
Closing Argument
Closing Argument for the Defendants by William Kuntsler 
Closing Arguments on Behalf of the Government by Thomas Foran 
Verdict 
Sentence

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