NCJ Number
11838
Date Published
1973
Length
379 pages
Annotation
PERSONAL NARRATIVE ACCOUNT OF THE CRIMINAL TRIALS FOR THE LATE 1960'S MURDERS OF JUDITH KAVANAUGH AND GABRIEL DEFRANCO, CO-AUTHORED BY ONE OF THE FIVE DEFENDANTS.
Abstract
THE NARRATIVE BY ONE OF THE DEFENDANTS, DOROTHE MATZNER, AND HER CO-AUTHOR, INCLUDES SECTIONS OF TRANSCRIPT FROM THE TRIALS, LETTERS EXCHANGED BETWEEN MRS. MATZNER AND HER HUSBAND WHILE BOTH WERE IN JAIL AWAITING TRIAL, AND COMMENTS CONCERNING THE CASE BY THE PRINCIPAL DEFENSE COUNSELS, F LEE BAILEY AND ROBERT ANSELL. THE AUTHORS DESCRIBE TWO TRIALS TAINTED BY THE INFLUENCE OF ORGANIZED CRIME IN NEW JERSEY, GROSS CORRUPTION OF PUBLIC OFFICIALS, AND PROSECUTORY INCOMPETENCE. QUESTIONS ARE RAISED ON THE COMPROMISE OF SUCH KEY ELEMENTS IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROCESS AS THE GRAND JURY SYSTEM, THE PRESUMPTION OF INNOCENCE, RIGHT TO COUNSEL, AND RULES AGAINST PRETRIAL PREJUDICIAL PUBLICITY. FINALLY, MRS. MATZNER PRESENTS SOME VERY PERSONAL INSIGHTS INTO THE EMOTIONAL AND FINANCIAL ORDEAL OF A PROLONGED CRIMINAL TRIAL, AND DISCUSSES WHAT F. LEE BAILEY TERMS 'THE DAMNATION OF ACQUITTAL'.