T33 Transcript of Writ of Habeas Corpus on behalf of Jack Ruby, 1966

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Transcript of Writ of Habeas Corpus on behalf of Jack Ruby, 1966. Phil Burleson, Sam Houston Clinton Jr., Sol Dann, Elmer Gertz and William N. Kunstler appeared for the defense.The original trial judge, Judge Joe B. Brown, wrote a letter to recuse himself. Judge Louis T. Holland was appointed to take his place. The defendant filed a writ of habeas corpus, claiming that he was falsely imprisoned because the verdict of the jury that found him guilty was voided by the illegal behavior of the judge. Namely, that Judge Brown was writing a book about the Ruby trial during the trial itself and had received a cash advance for the book. The defendant claimed that this pecuniary interest in the outcome of the trial made Brown's role as presiding judge problematic. Ruby's lawyers then requested Judge Brown provide them a copy of his book's manuscript to support their efforts to build their case; Judge Holland ordered Brown to provide a copy of the manuscript.After hearing the case for and against the writ of habeas corpus, Judge Holland denied the writ and ordered Ruby to remain in Sheriff Bill Decker's custody.Photocopy of typed original document, on regular paper with original blue back and front covers, 61 pages. Has an original signature page at the back, signed by deputy Pat Dalton and dated March 18, 1966. Text on the front cover:"No. 2076Ex Parte Jack Ruby, PetitionerIn the Criminal District Court No. 3 of Dallas County, Texas, Before the Honorable Louis T. Holland, JudgeThereof PresidingAttorneys for PetitionerPhil BurlesonLTV National Bank of CommerceDallas, TexasSam Houston Clinton, Jr.205 Texas AFL-CIO Building308 West 11th StreetAustin, TX 78701William N. Kunstler,Elmer Gertz,Sol Dann,Of CounselWrit of Habeas Corpus"

Object Details

Object title:

T33 Transcript of Writ of Habeas Corpus on behalf of Jack Ruby, 1966

Date:

03/18/1966

Medium:

Paper

Dimensions:

14 1/16 × 8 9/16 × 1/2 in. (35.7 × 21.7 × 1.3 cm)

Credit line:

Dallas County District Clerk Collection/The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza

Object number:

1994.002.0011.0003

Curatorial Note:

A writ of habeas corpus is defined as a recourse in law in which a person can report an unlawful detention or imprisonment. Ruby filed a writ of habeas corpus, claiming that he was falsely imprisoned because the verdict of the jury that found him guilty was voided by the illegal behavior of the judge. - Lindsey Richardson, Curator of Collections

The Museum recorded an oral history with the late defense attorney Phil Burleson. His lengthy interview was videotaped in April 1995, less than two months before his death. - Stephen Fagin, Curator

Judge Joe B. Brown's infamous book on the Jack Ruby trial, referenced in this document, was never published during the judge's lifetime. Joe B. Brown died of a heart attack on February 20, 1968. Decades later, his son, the late Judge Joe B. Brown, Jr. -- himself a district court judge in Dallas from 1988 to 1996 -- worked with psychologist and author Dr. Diane Holloway to edit his father's unpublished manuscript. The end result, coupled with Warren Commission testimony and new psychological commentary, was published as Dallas and the Jack Ruby Trial: Memoir of Judge Joe B. Brown, Sr. in 2001. The judge's son, Judge Joe B. Brown, Jr., recorded an oral history with the Museum in 2004. - Stephen Fagin, Curator