13 1/4 x 10 1/2 in. silver gelatin photograph stamp-signed by Favian Bachrach, dry-mounted to a card mount. Inscribed on the mount beneath the photograph: "To Judge Julius J. Hoffman with the best wishes of Earl S. Warren." Framed.
INSCRIBED BY WARREN TO INFAMOUS JURIST JULIUS J. HOFFMAN
Julius J. Hoffman served as judge for the case against protesters arrested during the 1968 Democratic Convention in Chicago, originally known as the "Chicago Eight." After defendant Bobby Seale's attorney became ill, Hoffman refused to let Seale represent himself, leading to conflict in the courtroom and Hoffman's order that Seale be bound and gagged in the courtroom. Hoffman removed Seale from the trial, at which point it became known as the trial of the "Chicago Seven." All seven defendants were found by the jury to be not guilty of conspiracy, but the jury returned guilty verdicts to five of the defendants for inciting a riot. Hoffman sentenced each to the maximum penalty: 5 years in prison and a fine of $5,000 plus court costs, and additionally sentenced all eight defendants and their lawyers to lengthy jail terms for contempt of court. The contempt convictions were vacated by the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit on May 11, 1972. On November 21, 1972, the United States Court of Appeals reversed all of the substantive convictions on a number of grounds.