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Important Events in the Life of Jeffrey MacDonald
| August,
1982 |
Attorney
Bernard Segal, disgusted and frustrated, convinced MacDonald that
a fresh approach might be in order, and that he would remain available
for counsel. Attorney Brian O'Neill replaces Segal. |
| January
14, 1983 |
Helena
Stoeckley is found dead in her apartment, Seneca, SC |
| February
1, 1983 |
Congressmen
Metzenbaum of OH and Cranston of CA pressure the government to override
Murtagh's orders, and begin releasing Freedom of Information Act materials
(FOIA) requested by MacDonald in 1980. |
| Spring,
1984 |
The
book "FATAL VISION" by Joe McGinniss (who had been granted full access
to the defense before, during and after trial) is published.
By deliberately manipulating conversations and events, Jeff's
"best friend" paints him as a narcissistic psychopath, despite a written
promise to "tell the truth". The book becomes a best seller.
|
| May
29, 1984 |
The
Fourth Circuit Court of APpeals upholds Judge DuPree's ruling to deny
defense access to the former MacDonald apartment. |
| June
4, 1984 |
Although
the prosecution had convinced the court that the apt. held nothing
of evidentiary value, Mutagh requests that FBI agent Madden be escorted
though the premises by Lt. Col. McNeill. Madden collects items
he considers useful to the prosecution. |
| June
6, 1984 |
The
apartment is destroyed, all contents including walls, floors, and
appliances are burned and buried at the dump in Ft. Bragg |
| August
21, 1984 |
Judge
DuPree refuses to remove himself from the case, citing that his former
son-in-law, James Proctor, being formerly being part of the prosecution,
did not influence his ability to be impartial. |
| August
31, 1984 |
Law
student Donna Bruce convinces MacDonald to file a civil suit for fraud
against Joe McGinniss. Attorney Gary Bostwick files. |
| November
18-19, 1984 |
The
mini-series based on "FATAL VISION" is aired on NBC, and is #1 in
the ratings for the week. |
| January
18, 1985 |
Warren
Coolidge, former US Attorney for the Eastern District of NC, who fought
so hard to indict MacDonald, is disbarred after being caught embezzling
funds from clients. |
| March
1, 1985 |
Judge
DuPree rejects all defense motions for a new trial. He cites
the 2 pajama fibers found on the club (murder weapon) as the most
incriminating evidence offered at trial. (Later found to be
black wool, through FOIA). The defense appeals. |
| June
10, 1985 |
The
National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) files a friend
of the court brief, contending that MacDonald is wrongly convicted.
|
| December
17, 1985 |
The
Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals upholds Dupree's ruling and refuses
to reopen the case. |
| December
19, 1985 |
Jeff
MacDonald is transferred from the prison in TX to FCI Black Canyon
in Phoenix, AZ. |
| March
18, 1986 |
Dr.
David C. Raskin, one of the country's renowned polygraphers, tests
MacDonald and finds "no deception" |
| September
4, 1986 |
Dr.
Thomas T. Noguchi, a leading forensic expert, publishes an opinion
on the MacDonald case, stating that, given the physical evidence,
one person alone could not have committed the murders. |
| October
6, 1986 |
The
Supreme Court upholds the lower courts decision. |
| June
26, 1987 |
Joe
McGinniss offers MacDonald $200K to drop his law suit. |
| July
7, 1987 |
The
civil trial against McGinniss begins in an LA federal court. In order
to attend court, MacDonald is required to pay transportation costs
from AZ to CA, the cost of his incarceration in CA, and the expense
of federal marshals to guard him. Judge Rea denies McGinniss's motion
to throw the case out. |
| August
21, 1987 |
The
suit ends in a mistrial, as a result of a 5 to 1 hung jury in MacDonald's
favor. The hold out juror had refused to deliberate after fellow
jurors rebuffed her attempts to spend time listening to her views
on animal rights. |
| November
23, 1987 |
Rather
than face a second trial, McGinniss settles out of court for $325,000.
|
| December
1, 1987 |
Alfred
and Mildred Kassab file a lawsuit, requesting that the settlement
money be given to them. |
| February
28, 1988 |
Jerry
Potter and Fred Bost begin work on the book "FATAL JUSTICE" |
| January
1, 1989 |
After
a four day trial (Kassab vs. MacDonald), Judge Ross decides the following:
The $325K settlement will be divided between MacDonald's attorneys
($104K), MacDonald's mother ($93K) Mildred Kassab (80K) and the rest
to Jeff MacDonald. |
| October
1, 1989 |
Attorneys
Harvey Silverglate and Alan Dershowitz agree to take on Jeffrey MacDonald's
case. |
| Feb
10, 1990 |
Perry
MacDonald, Jeff's mother, dies |
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