Linda Deutsch: Retires from The AP to Write Memoir

Passing the torch.

Changing of the guard.

End of an era.

All of those cliches could be said about the news that Linda Deutsch is hanging it up after a 48-year career with The Associated Press. But none them fit. One reason is because no phrase, label or accolade has been created that could come close to Linda and the stupendous body of work she amassed in her nearly give decades as a court beat/legal affairs reporter at the AP. Another is that cliches are trite and Linda isn’t.

Linda’s prowess as the doyenne of celebrity and notorious trials was well established — starting with the 1970 Charles Manson murder trial — when she became known to me. She was one of the media minions covering the 1992 Rodney King-beating trial, which was my baptism by fire as the greener than green new Los Angeles county courts public information officer.

 One of three photographs of Linda that grace my office — right beside one of me with Jay Leno when I gave him a copy of my book, Anatomy of a Trial. This is an 8-1/2 x 11-inch  collage of some of the more notorious trials she covered, which she sent to me with the inscription, “To Jerrianne–who made it all easier. You’re a great pal. Linda Deutsch.” Another photo is of Linda and me with our friend, famed author, movie producer and TV host Dominick Dunne, who has since passed, at a Las Vegas restaurant following a court proceeding in the Simpson robbery trial, which resulted in a sentence of up to 33 years.

I quickly came to know and respect her professionalism, just-the-facts reportage, and accuracy through that and a host of other cases that paraded through the L.A. courts, not the least of which was the 1995 O.J. Simpson murder trial.

She not only was a straight-shooter with me and her readers, she worked to keep judges honest, particularly when they closed proceedings to the public.  Her tenacity and passion for freedom of the press and the people’s right to know is reflected in the many mentions of her in Anatomy, such as this one: “She was also frequently the first, and often the only one, to leap to her feet in a courtroom to object when she believed a judge was about to wrongfully close proceedings to the public.”

The few stories I could tell about Linda would barely fill a thimble of her lifetime of experiences in the court/judicial/legal world. I, along with her legions of friends and colleagues, have been urging her for years to write a book.

It looks like she’s about to do that. “I consider it less a retirement than a transition to a new phase of my career — writing a memoir of my life and trials. And who knows what else will follow? In one way or another, I will continue to pursue my twin passions: journalism and justice,” she posted on Facebook.

‘Yay, Linda! I can’t wait to read it. But why couldn’t you wait just two more years and make it an even 50?

Bottom line, though, Linda is irreplaceable. She is among the last of the, not just truly great, but true journalists. Please, won’t someone rise up and again make journalism the watchdog and be the objective eyes and ears the public so desperately needs!

 

Birth of the “Media Circus” Debated

My Facebook Friend, and longtime actual friend, Linda Deutsch, posted this on the other day:

“Judge Lance Ito was a question on tonight’s Jeopardy. Some stories live forever!”

That prompted this comment from FB Friend (also longtime actual friend) Scott Shulman:

“The answer is…he pioneered the terminology, ‘Media Circus’.”

Having been on the high-profile court scene since the run-up to the 1992 Rodney King beating trial, I begged to differ with my wonderful friend Scott as I recall that trial also being called a media circus.

Since Linda Deutsch’s high-profile trial experience goes back to the 1970 Charles Manson case (she’s been with The Associated Press for more than 47 years), I asked her if that court scene was called a media circus. Linda reached back to the 1930s and the Charles Lindbergh baby kidnapping and murder case, which was dubbed “The Trial of the Century.” No verdict yet on whether it was referred to as a media circus.

The Lindbergh trial was indeed called “The Trial of the Century” (as were other trials of the 20th Century), as cited in Hearst newspapers reporter and best-selling author Adela Rogers St. Johns’ autobiography “The Honeycomb.”  http://www.amazon.com/The-Honeycomb-Adela-Rogers-Johns/dp/0451063503. It might have been a circus, but I doubt if it was called a media circus, as the word media wasn’t ubiquitous in those pre-TV days like it is now.

A Welcome New O.J. Simpson Account — With Pictures

A photojournalist I met well before the infamous 1994-95 O.J. Simpson criminal trial invited me to Like the new Facebook page for his project, OJ “Trial Of The Century” Through The Lens Of A Black Press Photojournalist,

At this point this project is a work in progress, but the creator, photojournalist Haywood Galbreath has impressive plans.

In addition to an ebook in different format, “I also am working on a documentary and stationary photo exhibit as well as a traveling photo exhibit to tour different cities and talk about my experience in the trial next year,” Haywood said when I asked about the status of his project.

Here are a couple of his Status Updates from that page:

I want to establish in the beginning that my journey to being the only photojournalist in the world to have daily access to the O.J. Simpson double murder trial the “trial of the century” and the largest murder trial in the history of America. Was and still is a spiritual journey. As they say in a faraway place and a faraway time I chose to follow Christ. 

I also chose to believe in the power of the one I call the Great Spirit God. I could not have accomplished what I accomplished in covering that case without God making a way for me or faith, hope and love of which it speaks about in first Corinthians chapter 13 in the bible.As we take this journey, me telling my story about what it took to do it and what I saw take place in and documented taking place in the courtroom in regards to the O.J. Simpson double murder trial. I want to reiterate once again to everyone that for me it was and still is a spiritual journey. I truly believe that God ordained me from birth to make the journey for his Glory and to help his people.When I explain to you things that took place in my life and in reference to my coverage and documentation of the trial. I believe you will come to understand and believe also. What I hope the most is that you the reader will realize that what God did for me God will do for you also!

 

Twenty years ago this past August judge Lance Ito made a decision that was actually a major precedent. A major tilting of the moral arc toward that which is just. The decision was to permit the Black Press of America to have a photo position setting beside mainstream media daily in the O.J. Simpson double murder trial a major criminal court case.I am quite sure the judge did not make the decision lightly and he paid for it in many ways through his treatment by mainstream media. That decision the judge made that day. Only the most involved in media and the gathering of news images understand the precedent that was made with that decision.You will come to understand more about what I’m talking about in the book.

                                                          * * *

So far as I’m concerned, Haywood Galbreath personifies persistence and determination. He first crossed my radar in during the 1993 Reginald Denny-beating trial.  I mention Haywood several times in Anatomy of A Trial, including his request to staff a separate camera pool to represent African-American-owned and operated news organizations.

“But the Denny judge, while sympathetic, denied Galbreath’s request because he had submitted it after the trial had begun and logistics were already in place,” I wrote. “Galbreath didn’t make that mistake twice. …”

Although Haywood could be disruptive and was sometimes a pain, I came to respect not only his persistence, but his exemplary skills with a camera.

Although he has always maintained that the black perspective on the American condition and issues is different and stressed the importance of photographing events and situations from a black perspective, his recent comment says it best:

“I was of the strong opinion then and I am of the strong opinion now that anything that takes place in America, black Americans in all walks of life as well as Black Media if they choose to should have the right to have the same equal access as mainstream media.”

I eagerly await Haywood’s documentation of the Simpson trial as he photographed it.

Unexpected, But Welcome

My good friend, Michael Szymanski, posted the following on his Facebook page:

 Mike Szymanski

Los Angeles, CA · 

Today is the day of the 20th anniversary of the murders committed by OJ Simpson…one of the best books about the trial coverage and media mess is by my longtime friend and journalist, Jerrianne Hayslett, so if you haven’t read it, please consider it, it’s fascinating for all the right reasons!   http://www.anatomyofatrial.com

Thank you, Mike!

Court’s Media Liaison Joins the Parade Down Simpson Memory Lane

The media have entered the year of Simpson Revisited with the upcoming 20th anniversary of the murders of O.J. Simpson’s ex-wife, Nicole Brown, and her friend Ron Goldman (June 12). Articles about the crimes and case that arose from it — The People vs. Orenthal James Simpson — have been popping up with more frequency for the past week or two.

A Q&A Hartford Books Examiner’s John Valeri had with me about my role with the court and my book, Anatomy of a Trial: Public Loss, Lessons Learned from The People vs. O.J. Simpson, was posted on his Examiner website today. Here is John’s lead-in on his Facebook Page and a link to his article. (Sorry for the pop-ups. Just click the x to get rid of them):

“Today, I’m in conversation with Jerrianne Hayslett, who was the media liaison for the Los Angeles Superior Court during the O.J. Simpson trial.”  http://www.examiner.com/article/the-simpson-trial-revisited-jerrianne-hayslett-on-anatomy-of-a-trial-q-a

Anatomy of a Trial was a Council for Wisconsin Writers 2008 Kingery/Derleth Book-Length Nonfiction honorable mention and the 2009 California Justice Armand Arabian Law & Media Award.

“Vanity Fair” Catches up with Simpson Trial Cast

Vanity Fair’s “Where Are They Now: The O.J. Simpson Cast” update of some of the players in the notorious 1995 O.J. Simpson trial in L.A. graces the magazine’s issue next month.

June 12, 2014, marks the 20th anniversary of the murder of Simpson’s ex-wife Nicole and her friend Ronald Goldman, which Simpson was charged with committing.

The VF promo includes 16 photos of icons of that case, including Kato, Nicole’s Akita dog, and the white Bronco Simpson’s friend drove in his televised freeway-gawking slow-speed chase.

Not among the photos are lots of actual people who had a daily courtroom presence from the day Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Lance Ito got the case in August 1994 until the Oct. 3, 1995, verdict that made Simpson a free man. One of those people was AP reporter Linda Deutsch. Another was me.

A few days ago, I started re-reading my book, Anatomy of a Trial, as a refresher for my book club, which selected it this month. It is, by far, not the first time I’ve re-read the book, which was published in 2009, but it has been quite a while.

Amazing! popped into my head before I had even gotten through the Introduction. Amazing all that went on. Amazing that we all survived. Amazing that those murders were almost 20 years ago.

I also realized how relevant the book is, despite the trial taking place 19 years ago and the book being published five years ago. I still urge every judge facing a high profile trial, every lawyer participating in such a trial and every journalist who might cover one to read it. It’s still available in hard copy and e-format from the publisher, University of Missouri Press, Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble.

In addition to the book website, Anatomy of a Trial also has a Facebook page. 

http://www.vanityfair.com/society/2014/05/oj-simpson-murder-trial-where-are-they-now

Caution Needed In Propagating Claims

Longtime Associated Press reporter Linda Deutsch, who has covered trials of the famous and infamous for decades, posted the following on Facebook:

“I am distressed over the way the Internet swallows and regurgitates any scurrilous posting about O.J. Simpson when it is clearly not true. The AP checks out every one of these reports (mostly from the National Enquirer) and they are invariably bogus. The latest is a claim he has brain cancer and wants President Obama to release him. First of all, Obama has no such powers over a state prisoner. Secondly,the prison says he’s not ill. It reflects badly on all media when some feel they have the right to make up stories to harm someone.”

I am culpable in attributing these claims to Simpson, in addition to tabloids such as the National Enquirer. I need to be more responsible and less regurgitive. Thank you for the flag, Linda.

Here’s the link to a story in The Washington Post.

“Persistently bizarre rumors of OJ Simpson’s fatal brain cancer and subsequent plea for a presidential pardon are–surprise!–completely false …”

Judges on FB all a-Twitter

The question isn’t should judges use Facebook and other social media. The question is how judges should use popular social networking sites.

At least that’s the question the American Bar Association has addressed in a recently issued ethics opinion.  (Formal Opinion 462) http://www.americanbar.org/content/dam/aba/administrative/professional_responsibility/formal_opinion_462.authcheckdam.pdf

My question is, why the heck would they want to use those social media?

The ABA opinion, titled “Judge’s Use of Electronic Social Networking Media,” says:  A judge may participate in electronic social networking, but as with all social relationships and contacts, a judge must comply with relevant provisions of the Code of Judicial Conduct and avoid any conduct that would undermine the judge’s independence, integrity, or impartiality, or create an appearance of impropriety.

The ABA Journal, in reporting on the opinion, put an emphasis on whether or not judges should disclose who their Facebook Friends are. The issue being the possibility/potential of conflicts of interest regarding cases and parties before them or other aspects of their judicial duties.

http://www.abajournal.com/news/article/should_judges_disclose_facebook_friends_context_is_significant_aba_ethics_o/?utm_source=maestro&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=tech_monthly

A benefit the ABA Standing Committee on Ethics and Professional Responsibility, which formulated the opinion, cited is public outreach.

While judicial outreach is important and can be useful, doing so in the brier patch of Status Updates and Tweets, can be risky business, IMHO.

One reason is the “electronic social media” (ESM) user’s loss of control of his/her message once it’s retweeted, shared and commented upon. Another is an inability to foresee how such a message might be interpreted–and once out in cyberspace, it can’t be redacted. Corrected, clarified, explained, apologized for, yes. But not redacted.

Many judges I worked with during my years as  Los Angeles court information officer and media liaison avoided or took great care when speaking to members of the media. Occasionally, some who did rued the day and sought damage-control help.

My role, as I saw it, wasn’t to tell them whether they should or shouldn’t — although I did do that on rare occasions. Rather, I would discuss with them the pros and cons, what they hoped to accomplish if they did or didn’t, and how to accomplish their goal if they did.

One who took the greatest pains to stay out of the public eye, except when on the bench, presided over some of the highest-profile trials — including two that were televised — but whose name is almost unknown.

Stanley Weisberg presided over the 1990 second trial of the infamous McMartin Preschool child molestation case, the 1992 Rodney King-beating trial and the 1993 trial and 1996 retrial of Lyle and Erik Menendez, who were charged with (and eventually convicted of) killing their parents.

Weisberg not only never spoke to the press, except when on the record in official proceedings, he spoke to me only reluctantly and sparingly. He also, unlike most other judges I knew,  kept his chambers door closed most, if not all, of the time.

Many judges believe that when they accept the mantle (or robe) of judge, they must relinquish some degree of their First Amendment rights.

My advice to judges, were I still in a position to advise them, would be if they want to be on Facebook, Twitter or other social media, they should choose their Friends and who they follow very carefully. They should disclose to parties whose cases they hear the ESM they participate in and be prepared to provide names if asked. And they must be sure to never, ever post, tweet or make any comment that they would not want to read in a newspaper or online, or to hear on air.

 

A Face(book) Out of the Past

Facebook is great!

Among those I’ve connected with on it is a former Los Angeles TV staffer who, like me, has become a Midwesterner. He won a huge spot in my heart during the 1995 Simpson trial with his humor, affibility and grace. Although it didn’t make it into Anatomy, this guy filed and ‘appeal’ to prizes Judge Lance Ito awarded the graffitied comments members of the media wrote on the L.A. Times ad posted in the Criminal Courts Building ‘listening room’ of the KCBS interview Ito did months before opening statements in the trial. Identifying himself in his appeal as Alex Epstein, aka Jackal, aka Vermin, Epstein asked Ito to reconsider his decision. It’s a funny ‘appeal’ and Ito responded with an equal good humor.

Ito denied Epstein’s appeal, but since he found the appeal “mildly amusing,” he wrote, the Court “on its own motion, issues an alternative writ granting Epstein the title of Epstein the Mild winner of an Honorable Mention.” Ito’s writ was to be served to Epstein along with “one bottle of Clos Du Bois Chardonnay,  which the Court finds to be potable.”

This is but one more example of Ito’s sense of humor and personality and of him as a human being.

I don’t think I would violate Alex’s privacy by posting his Facebook reply to my invitation to friend me. So here it is:

Hi Jerrianne –

How nice to hear from you! Your “invitation” brought back a flood of memories – not the least of which was the appeal. How nutty was that?  Harvey Levin, of TMZ fame, helped me draft it (he was/is a lawyer after all) – and that you agreed to give it to Judge Ito was a minor miracle.  Thanks for your sense of humor. What stresses there must have been on you – you never let it show, and you were such a wonderful, human face to that crazy bureaucracy you worked for.

I’ll never forget however wacky our requests were, you would seriously consider them, usually take a deep breath, and say you would try to get an answer for us!

I will look for your book, because I would be interested in your perspective.

I took my personal videocamera to work (at Criminal Courts during OJ) one day – and after all these years, looked at it – it kind of captured a bit of the atmosphere — but — do you remember when the USC Marching Band came by to play (outside) when the OJ Lawyers made their morning entrance one day?

What ever happened to Diane Arbus’ photos?

Unbelieveably small world. Who would have thought I would wind up in the midwest – raising kids and trying to stay employed in the media world out here. I miss LA, because I have these rose colored memories about so many wonderful, primary experiences (and thank God I was not injured in any of the lunatic stories I covered) – thankful for the good schools and the bubble of normalcy that passes for the northern suburbs of chicago.

What brought you to the midwest? A job took me out here!

Again, thanks for getting in touch – I look forward to connecting one of these days – maybe at a cubs brewers game!

All the best,

Alex