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T30 Amicus Curiae Brief for Jack Ruby by Melvin M. Belli, Sr.
T30 Amicus Curiae Brief for Jack Ruby by Melvin M. Belli, Sr.

T30 Amicus Curiae Brief for Jack Ruby by Melvin M. Belli, Sr.

Object number2010.027.0799
Date02/28/1965
ClassificationsDocuments
Author Melvin Belli
ObjectDocument
Credit LineThe Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza Collection/Estate of Melvin Belli
MediumPaper, Metal
DimensionsAmicus brief: 9 7/8 × 7 1/8 × 3/8 in. (25.1 × 18.1 × 1 cm)
letter: 11 × 8 1/2 in. (27.9 × 21.6 cm)
Collections
DescriptionAmicus Curiae Brief for Jack Ruby by Melvin Belli filed in the Court of Criminal Appeals in the State of Texas in the matter of Ruby's appeal, Jack Ruby vs. The State of Texas. In this brief, Melvin Belli, no longer counsel for Jack Ruby, wrote in detail of the major objections the defense made during Ruby's trial, the mistakes and missteps he claims were made by Henry Wade, the prosecutor, and by Judge Joe B. Brown, whom Belli referred to repeatedly as "the learned trial judge." Belli addressed many objections, most of which led him to conclude that Jack Ruby could never have had a fair trial in Dallas at that time. The brief is bound in original orange card covers with black fabric tape binding; 117 pages. Printed text on the cover: "In the Court of Criminal Appeals of the State of Texas Jack Ruby, Appellant, vs. The State of Texas, Appellee. Amicus Curiae Brief for Jack Ruby, Defendant and Appellant Melvin M. Belli, Sr. of Belli, Ashe and Gerry The Belli Building San Francisco, California"
Curatorial Commentary
Amicus Curiae is Latin for "friend of the court." An amicus curiae brief, or amicus brief, can only be filed by a person or group who is not party to the legal action of the brief but who has a strong interest in the case. Melvin Belli could file this amicus brief at the time that he did because he no longer represented Jack Ruby in his appeal. This type of brief is often filed in state appellate cases and with the intent of influencing the court's decision. Amicus briefs include information regarding questions of law or fact. Specifically, in this case, Belli's intent was to offer a damaging opinion of the Criminal District Court No. 3 in Dallas, Texas, and to provide a more sympathetic advocate for Ruby. - Jan Masterson, Collections Cataloguer