The MacNamara Brothers

James and John MacNamara were Los Angeles trade unionists. They are best known for their attack on the offices of the non-union Los Angeles Times on October 1, 1910, when a bomb killed 20 newspaper employees and injured a hundred more.

Related Topics:
Los Angeles - Trade unionist - Los Angeles Times - October 1 - 1910

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When the case came to trial in 1911, the unions hired well-known union lawyer Clarence Darrow to defend the brothers. Darrow initially planned to fight the case. However, once he realised the overwhelming weight of evidence that would be offered by the prosecution, Darrow convinced his clients that they had only two options - plea bargain, or the death penalty. Their guilty plea ("although they had not meant to kill anyone") was entered before jury selection was completed; John, the younger brother, was sentenced to 15 years in prison, while James, who had actually planted the bomb, was sentenced to life.

Related Topics:
1911 - Clarence Darrow - Plea bargain - Death penalty - Jury selection

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Many of the MacNamaras' supporters in the trade unions were stunned by their confession, and vastly disappointed that Darrow had not performed with his usual verve. This, combined with Darrow's subsequent arraignemnt on two charges of attempted bribery of jurors - although acquitted on both counts, he was ordered to leave Calirornia and never again practice law there - led to his being dropped by the unions as a preferred attorney and prompted his move into practice as a criminal lawyer. The outcome of the MacNamara case similarly devastated the electoral chances of Socialist candidate Job Harriman, at that time considered likely to be the next governor of California.

Related Topics:
Bribery - Socialist - Job Harriman - Governor of California

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