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Thursday, June 03, 2021

LEE BAILEY HAS PASSED AWAY

 Famed criminal defense attorney F. Lee Bailey (known to his friends as "Lee") has passed away today. He had quite a career and quite a life. 


10 comments:

Anonymous said...

That’s it?

That’s what you have to say? He freed OJ.

Anonymous said...

He spoke at UM in 1986 without notes for an hour. At that time, a 2nd year law student, it is one of the most impressive things I ever saw. If you would like an education on how to ascend to be regarded as the top defense attorney in the U.S. look up the Patti Hearst case and his motions.

Anonymous said...

He was one of the greatest Criminal lawyers of all time.

Anonymous said...

he had a case - don't remember details - at the Justice Building - in late 70's. Can you remember the case?

Robert Kuntz said...

Through an odd set of circumstances, the very first deposition I ever took in a civil case was defended by F. Lee Bailey. I was very junior at a very large firm and the depo was not tremendously consequential (else I’d not have been sent). I entered the lobby of our firm’s Fort Lauderdale office and the receptionist told me that “the lawyer for the witness is already in the conference room.” She might have warned me.

I walked in and there was the unmistakable figure. [As I understood it the boatyard involved in the matter had some arrangement with him respecting a boat he owned and dockage-for-legal fees. Or something. I never quite got the story on why he was on this pedestrian yacht case.]

I introduced myself with my name and he did the same, which I thought showed some humility, as this was very soon after the O.J. trial and anyone who hadn’t know of him before (and I had) certainly knew who he was now. After 13 years as a newsman, I was used to not being (or at least appearing to be) impressed by famous or important people, so I affected as casual an air as I could manage. The witness was late, so we got to chatting. Hometowns came up (it was baseball season), and I mentioned I’d been born in Cleveland.

Lee lit up. “Cleveland!?” he said. “They LOVE me in Cleveland.”

In maybe my best moment of banter ever in a long life of thinking myself pretty clever, I took a beat and said: “Well, Lee, everyone who doesn’t think Sam Sheppard killed his WIFE loves you in Cleveland.”

He took a beat of his own and rewarded me with a really sincere laugh.

The witness arrived, the depo proceeded, Lee Bailey was a gentleman.

I never saw him again, but recently had a occasion to correspond with him briefly. I mentioned the incident and he very kindly claimed to remember it.

One of kind.

the trialmaster said...

I dropped into a closing argument he was giving in a federal case where Ungaro was the judge. It was OK, was not that impressed with the content, but he gave it with passion.

the trialmaster said...

I dropped into a closing argument he was giving in a federal case where Ungaro was the judge. It was OK, was not that impressed with the content, but he gave it with passion.

Anonymous said...

He had an outstanding memory. Never took notes. Always did his incredible cross examinations without any notes. In the late 90s or early 2000's, he tried a small case, for a friend, before Judge Echarte. I briefly watched. For a small man, he had great presence in front of the jury. I have read multiple books on the Sheppard case, and I believe his work on the case was brilliant. He saved O.J., and he saved Sam Sheppard. One of the best lawyers ever. RIP.

Phil Maniatty said...

In answer to 12:18, I don't remember the defendant's name in the REG Building case, but the presiding judge was Richard Hickey in courtroom 4-8. Bailey was partners with Richard Gerstein at that time. Gerstein was also involved in the trial. Lance Stelzer was one of the ASA's. Part of the evidence was a confession to polygraph examiner Kent Jurney. The jury hung 11-1 for acquittal. The holdout juror for a guilty verdict was the wife of attorney Harvey Robbins. I don't remember what happened with the case after the mistrial. During the trial, Bailey was staying at the Holiday Inn by the 12th Avenue bridge. After court had recessed for the day, he'd join us in the Alibi Lounge at the Holiday in for cocktails.

Anonymous said...

Lots of class speaking like after the mans death. He was a one of the best lawyers ever. Your distinction is a little different. You are one of the biggest douche bags ever to post up on this blog.