Courtroom sketch of defense attorney Joe Tonahill at Jack Ruby trial
Back
Courtroom sketch of defense attorney Joe Tonahill at Jack Ruby trial
Courtroom pencil sketch on paper by Charles Fisher. The sketch shows defense attorney Joe Tonahill during the Jack Ruby trial in February or March of 1964. Ruby's defense attorneys, including Melvin Belli, are seated at the attorney's table, which is covered in papers and books. Joe Tonahill is standing in the foreground holding a pencil in one hand. A group of indistinct figures are visible in the background. The caption in the top right corner reads "Tonahill/ Belli," and the caption in the bottom right corner reads "Defense attorney/ Jack Ruby murder trial." On the opposite side of the paper is an unfinished sketch of a man's head and shoulders. It is unlabeled, and the identity of the man is unknown.The artist, Charles "Chuck" Fisher, was the art director at KRLD-TV in 1963. Fisher made the pencil sketches during the trial of Jack Ruby for KRLD-TV after the judge barred cameras from the courtroom.
Courtroom sketch of defense attorney Joe Tonahill at Jack Ruby trial
February 1964 - March 1964
Paper
14 × 17 in. (35.6 × 43.2 cm)
Chuck Fisher Collection/The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza
2004.020.0013
Colorful Jasper, Texas, attorney Joe Halbert Tonahill, Sr. (1913-2001) was co-founder of the Texas Trial Lawyers Association. Although well known in Jasper, Tonahill was lifted to national prominence by his longtime friend Melvin Belli when Belli hired the six-foot-four native Texan as his defense co-counsel. Tonahill recorded an oral history with The Sixth Floor Museum on August 9, 1996. -- Stephen Fagin, Curator
Courtroom sketch of defense attorney Joe Tonahill at Jack Ruby trial
Courtroom pencil sketch on paper by Charles Fisher. The sketch shows defense attorney Joe Tonahill during the Jack Ruby trial in February or March of 1964. Ruby's defense attorneys, including Melvin Belli, are seated at the attorney's table, which is covered in papers and books. Joe Tonahill is standing in the foreground holding a pencil in one hand. A group of indistinct figures are visible in the background. The caption in the top right corner reads "Tonahill/ Belli," and the caption in the bottom right corner reads "Defense attorney/ Jack Ruby murder trial." On the opposite side of the paper is an unfinished sketch of a man's head and shoulders. It is unlabeled, and the identity of the man is unknown.The artist, Charles "Chuck" Fisher, was the art director at KRLD-TV in 1963. Fisher made the pencil sketches during the trial of Jack Ruby for KRLD-TV after the judge barred cameras from the courtroom.
Courtroom sketch of defense attorney Joe Tonahill at Jack Ruby trial
February 1964 - March 1964
Artist
Sketches
Trials
Attorney
Artwork
Jack Ruby trial
Belli, Melvin
Fisher, Charles
Tonahill, Joe H.
KRLD-TV
Dallas
Paper
14 × 17 in. (35.6 × 43.2 cm)
Chuck Fisher Collection/The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza
2004.020.0013
Colorful Jasper, Texas, attorney Joe Halbert Tonahill, Sr. (1913-2001) was co-founder of the Texas Trial Lawyers Association. Although well known in Jasper, Tonahill was lifted to national prominence by his longtime friend Melvin Belli when Belli hired the six-foot-four native Texan as his defense co-counsel. Tonahill recorded an oral history with The Sixth Floor Museum on August 9, 1996. -- Stephen Fagin, Curator
Related objects
Photograph of courtroom sketch of Melvin Belli during the Jack Ruby trial
03/11/1964
Photograph of courtroom sketch of Tonahill being held in contempt at Ruby trial
03/02/1964
Photograph of courtroom sketch of Joe Tonahill during Jack Ruby trial
February 1964 - March 1964
Courtroom sketch of Jack Ruby and defense attorney Joe Tonahill dated 02/22/1964
02/22/1964
