THAT DAY
Trial begins for the Miami incident , August 10, 1970
On August 10, 1970, the Doors arrived at the Dade County Courthouse in Miami, Florida for the first day of Jim Morrison's trial. He will face charges of lewd and lascivious behavior, indecent exposure, blasphemy and public drunkenness on the sidelines of the group's performance at Dinner Key Auditorium, March 1, 1969. However, the start of the trial is delayed until August 12 due to an overbooked agenda...
Find the retrospective and the entire course of the trial date by date via the article below:
[RETROSPECTIVE: THE MIAMI TRIAL.]
| Court Case No. 69-2355: "State of Florida VS James Douglas Morrison" - 08/10/1970 - Dade County Courthouse. |
[CHARGES]
- Lustful and lascivious behavior in public
- Indecent exposure
- Blasphemous talk
- Public and manifest drunkenness
AUDIENCE COMPOSITION:
[JUDGE]
-Murray Goodman
[APPLICANT]
- Robert Jennings (Deputy Attorney General's Office)
[POLICE]
- Sgt. Jim Cox
-Ted Seaman
[LAWYERS]
- Max Fink (Defence)
- Robert Josefsberg (Defence)
- Terrence McWilliams (Applicant)
- Leonard Rivkind (Applicant)
[JURY MEMBERS]
- Karl Beidi (Mechanic)
- William Bowen (Arts teacher)
- John Cone (Machine Operator)
- Herbert Franks (Tile Setter)
- Elaine Hemperly (Housewife)
- Audrey Tompkins (Housewife)
[APPLICANT'S WITNESSES]
- Colleen Clary (Viewer)
- Karl Huffstutlear (Spectator)
- Robert Jennings (Viewer)
- Larry Pizzi (Viewer)
- Betty Racine (Police Officer)
- Jeff Simon (Photographer)
- James Wood (Spectator)
[DEFENCE WITNESSES]
-John Densmore
- Robby Krieger
- David LeVine (Photographer)
- Ray Manzarek
-Jim Morrison
[PHOTOGRAPHERS PRESENT IN THE COURT]
- Sal Crisanti (Miami News)
- Sam Feinsilver
- David LeVine (Freelancer)
- Bruce MacCallum (Miami Hurricane)
-John Pineda (Miami Herald)
- Bill Sanders (Miami Herald)
- David Sobel (ROCK Magazine)
--------------------
[FACTS]
On March 1, 1969, the DOORS performed at the "Dinner Key Auditorium" in Miami, Florida, USA.
Jim Morrison, busy drinking in the bars of the various airports, then misses two flights to Miami and arrives at the concert very alcoholic in addition to displaying a considerable delay. Arriving there, he came across the group face to face with the promoter of the concert, the latter had in fact taken the initiative to have the bleachers removed in order to sell even more tickets for a hall (a former hangar to rehabilitated aircraft) which is already full.
During the mediocre evening performance, Morrison, strongly inspired by a sulphurous play entitled "Paradise Now", which he saw a few days before, will never cease to provoke the public. Then comes the skid of the evening, the "Lizard King" then offers the spectators to show his genitals. Did he actually do it? It is nevertheless in peace that the concert ends.
The next day, while the DOORS were in Jamaica to rest, several complaints about Morrison's behavior in Miami surfaced, to such an extent that the state of Florida issued an arrest warrant against the young DOORS singer.
Having no choice but to return to the USA, and being wanted to answer for his actions, Jim will be arrested on April 3, 1969 in Los Angeles and will be handed over to the Miami police on November 9 of the same year. ..
Judgment for what is now called the "Miami incident" is set for August 10, 1970!
--------------------
[CHRONOLOGICAL SUMMARY OF TRIAL]
[AUGUST 10, 1970]
- It's the first day of the Miami trial and Jim Morrison arrives at the Dade County courthouse around 10am. He is with the Doors, Babe Hill and lawyers Max Fink, David Tardiff and Robert Josefsberg. Television reporters, photographers, teenagers and fans gather to witness the event. Max Fink and Robert Josefsberg have been selected to represent Jim in case #69-2355 "The State of Florida v. James Douglas Morrison", stating that they expect the trial to last 6-10 weeks. Due to an overbooked case, the trial is once again delayed until August 12.
Before the start of the trial, Max Fink asks permission to show half a dozen films in court, including "I Am Curious, Yellow", and informs Judge Murray Goodman that he won't even bother to mention X-rated films. He also states that "We have to come to terms with the generation gap: people like Morrison's band The Doors are protesting the problems created by their ancestors". and that he will base Jim Morrison's defense on freedom of speech.
[AUGUST 12, 1970]
- The trial resumes at approximately 1 p.m. on that date and jury selection begins.
- A local television crew for WTVJ interviews Jim Morrison at the courthouse. Jim discusses nudity, and freedom of expression for an artist.
Here is the interview in question, subtitled in French:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bq3XtgIsWiA
[AUGUST 14, 1970]
- Jury selection is now complete. Six local citizens, consisting of four men and two women, were chosen as members: Karl Beidi, William Bowen, John Cone, Herbert Franks, Elaine Hemperly, and Audrey Tompkins.
- Jim Morrison attends a "Creedence Clearwater Revival" concert later that evening, followed by a performance and impromptu performance with "Canned Heat" at the Marco Polo Hotel in a lounge known as "The Hmm". Miami Herald photographers come to see Jim Morrison during this time due to the trial and capture photographs of him performing with "Canned Heat".
[AUGUST 17, 1970]
- That morning, Colleen Clary, a young prosecutor, testifies that Jim Morrison allegedly dropped his pants at the Miami concert. After a lunch break, her boyfriend Karl Huffstutlear and his mother also testify that Jim allegedly exposed himself. Colleen and her mother are pictured as they enter the courtroom. In his defense, Jim's lawyers point out that the testimonies are largely inconsistent with statements made before the trial.
- Max Fink calls for events such as Woodstock to be admitted at trial as evidence of a judgment based on "community standards".
[AUGUST 19, 1970]
- Police officer Betty Racine testifies on this date that Jim Morrison dropped his pants. The agent's previous statements, however, indicated that she had heard or seen no such thing.
- Photographer Jeff Simon presents more than 100 photographs of the performance in Miami but testifies that Jim Morrison did not expose himself. Jeff indicates that he was a few feet from the scene and clearly witnessed the events that took place.
- Admission of evidence is denied to the defense for a judgment based on "community standards". Judge Murray Goodman declares in a written order that “no books or periodicals will be admitted, no films or plays will be seen by the jury.” The court concluded that such evidence would be unrelated to the offenses charged. Max Fink supports a motion to set aside the order, stating that "Excluding evidence regarding community standards with respect to words we freely admit, excluding expert testimony regarding the effect of those words on the audience today, would be a denial of a fair trial. Judge Goodman dismissed the motion without further comment and barred the defense from introducing selected psychiatrists and educators to testify.
[AUGUST 20, 1970]
- Robert Jennings, the assistant in the attorney general's office who originally signed the lawsuit against Jim Morrison for the state of Florida, is testifying on this date as a witness to the concert. Defense attorney Max Fink finds many inconsistencies in the testimony, and Robert's friend James Wood is then called to the stand. James Wood testifies that he did not see any exhibition or simulation of sexual acts by Jim Morrison.
[AUGUST 21, 1970]
- The Doors perform in Bakersfield. Jim Morrison is interviewed backstage by a local TV crew, discussing his views on artists' freedom, and the hope that the trial will be over before an upcoming European tour.
[AUGUST 22, 1970]
- The Doors perform in San Diego.
[AUGUST 25, 1970]
- A police officer testifies that no arrests were made during the concert in Miami due to fear of a riot from the audience. Defense attorney Max Fink argues that an arrest could have been made after the show, and concludes that police were pressured into filing charges due to detailed media reports.
[AUGUST 27, 1970]
- A recording of Miami's performance is played in court on this date. Copies of this recording are known to collectors today.
[AUGUST 29, 1970]
- The band performed at the Isle of Wight festival in England, but were forced to return to the United States and cancel a planned European tour due to Miami lawsuit obligations. (Jim is static and looks very tired on stage.)
[SEPTEMBER 2, 1970]
- The final witness for the prosecution takes a position at the opening of this session and indicates that he was photographing the show from the balcony when Jim Morrison allegedly stripped. When asked why no photographs of the exhibit were taken, he said he didn't want to get in trouble for taking an "obscene" photo.
- The defense begins presenting witnesses in court and photographer David LeVine is the first to testify. It indicates that 36 photographs were taken on the evening of the performance with approx. 10 which are not blurred. He is later tasked with simulating the sexual moves performed by Jim Morrison on the night of the show, and it is reported that Morrison had a smile on his face during this part of David's testimony.
[SEPTEMBER 3, 1970]
- At the end of the proceedings on this date, an eleven-day suspension is called at trial. The Doors are on forced rest following the cancellation of a European tour (Which was to go through the Olympia in Paris, September 14, 1970) and must comply with the obligations of the trial.
[SEPTEMBER 14, 1970]
- The defense resumes by calling witnesses to come forward. John Densmore, Robby Krieger and Ray Manzarek testify before Jim Morrison, they answer questions about the nature of the Doors' performances and what they see from the positions they occupy on stage. The three testimonies are very inconclusive and offer no evidence against Jim Morrison.
[SEPTEMBER 16, 1970]
- Jim Morrison's testimony begins on this date. Max Fink asks Jim about his travel schedule the day of the performance, the nature of the audience that night, and the lamb that popped up on stage. He is also asked questions about the design of his leather pants. The trial is interrupted and Jim's testimony resumes the next day.
[SEPTEMBER 17, 1970]
- Max Fink resumes his questions to Jim Morrison on this date. He is then cross-examined by prosecutor Terry McWilliams, answering questions with questions such as "Do your cowhide pants have pockets?" and "Did you pour the contents of a glass bottle over anyone's head?" Jim replies yes, he poured a bottle of champagne over an audience member's head and the audience member seemed to enjoy it. He responds to the question whether or not he revealed his male attributes during the show, saying he didn't. He also indicates that he wore boxer shorts under his leather pants, which he normally does not. While being questioned about his admiration for the guitar played by Robby Krieger, Morrison having lowered himself to Robby's strings during the concert, it was that evening, received by part of the public as a mock fellatio, he said in court that Robby is "getting better all the time". Max Fink then picks up by asking Jim about things like the concert promoters overselling tickets to the show.
[SEPTEMBER 19, 1970]
- The defense presents its conclusions for the trial and the jury deliberates. A 1.5-hour meeting will be held between Judge Murray Goodman and attorneys Max Fink, Robert Josefsberg and Terrence McWilliams, where Jim Morrison's bond will be increased from $5,000 to $50,000.
[SEPTEMBER 20, 1970]
- Jim Morrison is found guilty of indecent exposure and blasphemous remarks on this date. He is escorted to the cell by local officers at around noon. He was later released on $50,000 bail and sentenced on October 23, 1970. He was found not guilty of the following counts: Lustful and Lascivious Behavior in Public and Public and Overt Inebriation. Photographers and television crews are present to cover the event.
[OCTOBER 23, 1970]
- The sentence scheduled for this date has been moved to October 30.
[OCTOBER 30, 1970]
- Judge Murray Goodman gives a sermon to Jim Morrison on his responsibilities before announcing his sentence of six months in jail at the Raiford House and $500 fine for indecency and blasphemy. He retains the right to remain free pending his appeal as his $50,000 bond has been posted. Various photographers and television crews are present at the courthouse on this date.
[FEBRUARY 1971]
- Jim Morrison leaves for Paris and will avoid the condemnation inflicted on him in Miami. French law stipulates that he cannot be extradited to Florida to serve his sentence. He will never return to the United States...
[2010]
- Florida Governor Charlie Crist decides to grant a posthumous pardon to Jim Morrison.
The governor explained that the evidence held against Jim Morrison at the time of his trial was clearly not sufficient to issue a conviction and that it was obtained following a personal vendetta of the then prosecutor who hated the icon of the counterculture.
[SOURCES: This article is a partial translation of an article published on MildEquator]
