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Federal Judge Who Out-Lawed THE Communist Party
In the United States
MEDINA, Harold R. (1888-1990). U.S. Circuit Judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. Nominated by Harry Truman on May 15, 1947 to a seat on the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. In 1945 J. Edgar Hoover instructed his agents to gather information on Communist Party members. One of his notable cases was in 1949 where he presided over the trial of 11 leaders of the U.S. Communist Party which was known as the Foley Square trial. The leaders were accused of violating the Smith Act, a statute that prohibited advocating violent overthrow of the government. It was one of the longest trials in American history, The jury found all defendants guilty, and most were sentenced to 5 years in prison. In addition, he also gave prison sentences to 5 of the defense attorneys on charges of contempt of court. Two of the attorneys were disbarred. Four hundred police officers were assigned to the site of the Court on opening day. Uncommon, typed letter signed on United States Court of Appeals. New York City. Chambers of Harold R. Medina Circuit Judge. Fine friendly letter about receiving a book Anatomy of Freedom and he added his autograph and returned it at once.. “...it is too bad you had trouble finding it at bookstores, but I guess that is just one of the many disadvantages of modern civilization...” Signed in full. Most interesting individual. Together with a portrait of Medina. In very good condition.........$95.00
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