Where did you live? What was it like to live in Memphis at the time?
I lived in Memphis Tennessee. As a young lawyer it was exciting times. Being part of the legal process and representing the blacks during that period, I fully understood that the constitution did work. The thing that stood out the most in mind about Memphis, was that I had the privilege of representing a black activist who was accused of a crime. The main witnesses against him were white police officers. As to the best of my recollection, there were ten white jurors and two black jurors. After the trial the jury found the defendant not guilty. This verdict speaks for itself as to the American jury system. This is just one of the incidents that have reinforced my faith in the American justice system. I remember representing blacks that were arrested without any justifiable legal reason. To secure their release I remember filing a petition for a writ habeas corpus which were heard on sundays and, sometimes in the middle of the night. Again, as to the best of my recollection we were successful in retaining immediate release. In addition one of the lawyers was successful in convincing a federal district judge that the vagrancy statute was unconstitutionally. The vagrancy statute was the main legal reason that the police would employ to indiscriminately arrest blacks. All of these incidents along with my everyday experience left no doubt in my mind that the Constitution of the United States of America is a working, breathing, document guaranteeing due process for all people, black, white, or purple. When everything is said and done I’m firmly convinced that America is a system of laws, rather than the whim and fancy of man.
Can you Describe your life in 1968 What was a typical day like for you in 1968?How was it different from today?
I was in court everyday where the race issue was prevalent in all proceedings where black were accused. I was living and participating in a great historical event, although at the time I didn’t realize it.
How was it different from today?
Race is never an issue in courts anymore. We have black lawyers black judges. When first started as a lawyer there were no black judges.
Where were you when you heard King was assassinated? How did you find out?How did you react?
I was at a shelby county bar association meeting. I find by hearing other people talking about it. The only thing I thought at the time was how horrible it was that innocent man was shot. The thought went through my mind that this would create chaos throughout the courts. Thankfully it didn't. The american judicial process was tested and prevailed.
How did people around you react?
I don’t really remember, but I can say that I never heard anyone say anything negative about King.
Do you remember anything different that night as opposed to a regular night?
I don’t remember anything except that I was scared driving home and there was a curfew. There was a tremendous amount of police presences and national guard presences.
What did you think of King before he died and now?
Before he died I looked at him as one of the black readers. In my mind I thought he was doing what had to be done. Now I see that he is a man of courage and that he made a tremendous difference. He was the right man for the right time.
Did life change at all after his death? Did people act different or view problems differently? Do you think people’s attitudes changed?
It was a gradual process, but generally it gave more opportunity for blacks and women in the legal profession.