/internal/media/dispatcher/58846/fullT30 Amicus Curiae Brief for Jack Ruby by Melvin M. Belli, Sr.02/28/1965Amicus 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)Paper, MetalThe Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza Collection/Estate of Melvin Belli2010.027.07990Soft-bound copy of an Amicus Curiae brief for Jack Ruby by Melvin Belli filed in the Criminal Court of Appeals in the State of Texas in the matter of Ruby's appeal, Jack Ruby vs. The State of Texas. Two-page letter to Judge Joe B. Brown, dated November 27, 1964, stapled to the inner cover; letter removed and numbered 2010.027.0799.0001. In letter, Belli attempts to argue for Ruby to receive better mental health care while in jail under the supervision of Sheriff Bill Decker. Belli appeals to Judge Brown's good nature and Christianity to recognize that Ruby is "psychotic."
In this brief, Melvin Belli, no longer counsel for Jack Ruby, writes 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 refers to repeatedly as "the learned trial judge." Belli addresses many objections, most of which lead him to conclude that Jack Ruby could never have had a fair trial in Dallas at that time.
Document retains original orange card covers and black fabric tape binding. It is 117 pages of typed paper.
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"Documents6532921.590043180118.097536195127.940055880125.082550165144524Document0.95250190500E-10Amicus 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"Jack Ruby trialAppealTrialsMental healthRuby, JackWade, Henry M.Belli, MelvinBrown, Judge Joe B.Decker, BillTexas Court of Criminal AppealsCriminal District Court No. 3State of TexasDallas County District Attorney's OfficeSan FranciscoAmicus 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