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Finding aid fo the David Bernstein papers

Finding aid prepared by Karie Jenkins with assistance from Julie Graham, [June 2014]; machine-readable finding aid created by Caroline Cubé after initial encoding by Julie Graham. UCLA Library Special Collections Room A1713, Charles E. Young Research Library Box 951575 , CA, 90095-1575 (310) 825-4988 [email protected] ©2014 The Regents of the University of . All rights reserved.

Finding aid fo the David 2126 1 Bernstein papers Title: David Bernstein papers Collection number: 2126 Contributing Institution: UCLA Library Special Collections Language of Material: English Physical Description: 10.0 linear ft.(23 boxes and 1 carton) Date (inclusive): 1964-1997 Abstract: From 1979 to 1997, David Bernstein served as investigator and legal researcher for the Elmer “Geronimo” Pratt defense team. The collection consists of research, numerous court documents, transcripts, and Freedom of Information materials that were accrued during the various court hearings. The bulk of the materials are facsimiles of original documents. Language of Materials: English Physical Location: Stored off-site at SRLF. Advance notice is required for access to the collection. Please contact the UCLA Library Special Collections Reference Desk for paging information. Creator: Bernstein, David Restrictions on Access COLLECTION STORED OFF-SITE AT SRLF: Open for research. Advance notice required for access. Contact the UCLA Library Special Collections Reference Desk for paging information. Restrictions on Use and Reproduction Property rights to the physical object belong to the UCLA Library Special Collections. Literary rights, including copyright, are retained by the creators and their heirs. It is the responsibility of the researcher to determine who holds the copyright and pursue the copyright owner or his or her heir for permission to publish where The UC Regents do not hold the copyright. Preferred Citation [Identification of item], David Bernstein Papers (Collection 2126). Library Special Collections, Charles E. Young Research Library, UCLA. Provenance/Source of Acquisition Gift of David Bernstein, 2012. Biography/History David L. Bernstein was born in Atlanta, Georgia, on January 26, 1948; he moved to Los Angeles at a young age. He graduated from the University of California at Berkeley in 1971 and earned a JD from the University of La Verne College of Law in 1995. After working for several years with environmental cleanup in Northern California, he returned to Los Angeles in the late 1970's and took a job as law clerk/investigator in the Law Offices of Goldin and Gordon. One of the partners, Martha Goldin, had served as appellate counsel for former Black Panther Elmer . In 1979 Bernstein was assigned to review and index criminal appellate briefs and learned that there were ongoing habeas corpus proceedings seeking to overturn Pratt's conviction, as well as litigation under the Freedom of Information Act to ascertain if the FBI's Counter Intelligence Program had any role in the conviction. With the approval from Goldin and Gordon, Bernstein contacted Pratt's main counsel, Stuart Hanlon and offered to join the efforts being made on Pratt's behalf. From 1979 to 1997, Bernstein served as investigator and legal researcher for the Pratt defense team. In May of 1997, Pratt's conviction was overturned and he was released after serving nearly 27 years in prison. Scope and Content The collection consists of files amassed by lawyer David L. Bernstein documenting his involvement pertaining to the court case of People v. Pratt (former Black Panther Leader Elmer “Geronimo” Pratt) and proceedings seeking to overturn Pratt's murder conviction, as well as litigation to ascertain if the FBI's Counter Intelligence Program had any role in the conviction. Includes research, numerous court documents, transcripts, and Freedom of Information materials that were accrued during the various court hearings. The bulk of the materials are facsimiles of original documents. Organization and Arrangement There is no specific arrangment to the collection. UCLA Catalog Record ID UCLA Catalog Record ID: 7496479 Subjects and Indexing Terms Bernstein, David Pratt , Elmer Geronimo -- Trials, litigation, etc.

Finding aid fo the David 2126 2 Bernstein papers Box 15 FBI summaries of Louise Manaco, Annette Becker, Christi Farlice, and Ronald Freeman. no dates. Box 5 Counter intelligence: FBI and other documents binder (in 3 folders). 1964-1987. Box 12 Julius Butler FBI documents binder. 1967-1970. Box 21 Tyrone binder (Tyrone Hutchinson and Tyrone LaVerne Bass). 1967-1971. Box 15 FBI binder. 1968. Box 15 Pratt case exhibits, memorandum, and correspondence. 1968,1971,1972,1981. Box 8 Pratt and related matters newspaper coverage binder (in 3 folders). 1968-1996. Box 10 Congressional hearings and reports Black Panther Party (in 2 folders). 1969. Box 12 David Bernstein memos to Julius Butler binder. 1969-1980. Box 18 FBI documents binder (in 3 folders). 1969. Box 6 FBI electronic surveillance logs (in 2 folders). 1969 Mar-Sep. Box 24 FBI electronic surveillance logs of the Black Panther Party binder (in 2 folders). 1969 Oct-Dec. General note Electronic surveillance logs of Black Panther Party in Los Angeles and Oakland, California.

Box 18 Mary Fischer (GQ reporter) return of materials borrowed from Bernstein. 1969-1972; 1996. Box 7 Melvin (Cotton) Smith FBI reports, testimony, and federal documents binder (in 2 folders). 1969. Box 19 United States v. Freed Sutherland binder. 1969. Box 10 Roger (Blue) Lewis witness file binder. 1969-1985. Box 12 1969 Shootout preliminary hearing - Reporter's Transcript of LAPD testimony. 1970. Box 20 FBI documents binder (in 2 folders). 1970. Box 17 People v. Bryan shootout trial binder (folder 1 of 2). 1970s. Box 18 People v. Bryan shootout trial binder (folder 2 of 2). 1970s. Box 19 Tennis Court Murder proceedings (grand jury and pretrial motions) binder. 1970-1972. Box 20 FBI documents binder (in 2 folders). 1971. Box 19 David Bernstein research binder. 1971-1979. General note Unorganized mixture of various information related to Pratt case.

Box 24 David Bernstein general investigation (witnesses and important personages) binder (in 2 folders). 1971-1981. Box 7 Habeas corpus DA filing, witness list, and Tennis Court Trial summaries of witness testimony. 1972, 1996. Box 23 Tennis Court Trial - Kalustian's notes. 1972. Box 10 Reporter's Transcript of Tennis Court Trial - defense and rebuttal witnesses, deliberation, new trial motion, and sentencing binder (folder 1 of 2). 1972. Box 11 Reporter's Transcript of Tennis Court Trial - defense and rebuttal witnesses, deliberation, new trial motion, and sentencing binder (folder 2 of 2). 1972. Box 7 Pratt FBI documents binder. 1972-1973. Box 3 Greg Goldin's files (Reporter). ca. 1973. General note Original Pratt Opening Brief on appeal from tennis court trial conviction, filed 1973.

Box 19 FBI Prison Suit Discovery binder. 1974-1980. Box 15 FBI teletype regarding the stabbing of a prison guard. 1975 Jan 28 . Box 12 Los Angeles Police Department binder. 1975-1980. General note Photocopies of articles and documents.

Finding aid fo the David 2126 3 Bernstein papers Container List

Box 8 Reporter's Transcript of Tennis Court Trial - prosecution witness binder (folder 1 of 2). ca. 1975. Box 9 Reporter's Transcript of Tennis Court Trial - prosecution witness binder (folder 2 of 2). ca. 1975. Box 13 Deposition of Richard Wallace Held in Fonda v. Grey lawsuit. 1976 Dec 20. Box 4-5 Daniel Bernstein general investigation files. 1979, 1983. Box 24 Habeas corpus - proceedings, transcripts, and media binder. 1979. Box 23 Habeas corpus - District Attorney's return to petition binder. 1979. Box 13 Pratt habeas corpus. 1979. Box 14 Pratt habeas corpus - exhibits in support of petition. 1979. Box 16 David Bernstein general investigation binder (in 2 folders). 1980. Box 14 Habeas corpus - Amici Curiae brief. 1980. Box 9 Habeas in California Court of Appeals - documents and David Bernstein research binder (in 2 folders). 1980. Box 15 Habeas corpus - court's opinion. 1980. General note In Re. Pratt; 112 Cal.App.3d 795.

Box 13 Habeas corpus - Pratt's supplemental submissions. 1980. Box 15 Habeas corpus - summary of interviews of FBI agents. 1980. Box 17 FBI documents (released through the Freedom of Information Act) binder (in 2 folders). 1980. Box 13 Tennis Court Trial - petitions for review to California Supreme Court. 1980-1996. Box 13 Amnesty International publications. 1981. Box 13 David Bernstein on Roger Aldee radio program - transcript. 1981 Mar 31. Box 17 David Bernstein general investigation binder (in 2 folders). 1981. Box 14 Federal Habeas corpus - documents requested from FBI. 1981. Box 15 Federal habeas corpus - Swearingen and Mahoney (1 of 5 volumes of witness testimony). 1981, 1985. Box 15 Federal habeas corpus - Mahoney, Alexander, Gardner, and Callahan (2 of 5 volumes of witness testimony). 1981, 1985. Box 16 Federal habeas corpus - Held (3 of 5 volumes of witness testimony). 1981, 1985. Box 16 Federal habeas corpus - Held, Bloeser, and Cleary testimony (4 of 5 volumes of witness testimony). 1981, 1985. Box 16 Federal habeas corpus - closing arguments (5 of 5 volumes of witness testimony). 1981, 1985. Box 6 Federal habeas corpus - Pratt V. McCarthy pleading and correspondence binder (in 2 folders). 1981. Box 15 Pratt v. McCarthy opinion by Judge Wallace in Daily Appellate Report. 1981 Jul 1. Box 12 David Bernstein general investigation binder. 1982. Box 6 David Bernstein and Johnathan Lubell correspondence binder. 1982. Box 11 David Bernstein general investigation binder (in 2 folders). 1984. Box 7 David Bernstein general investigation binder (folder 1 of 2). 1985-1991. Box 8 David Bernstein general investigation binder (folder 2 of 2). 1985-1991. Box 15 Last Black Panther (The) by Peter Ransley - unproduced screenplay. 1986. Box 14 Habeas corpus - exhibits in support of petition. 1991. Box 11 Centurion Ministries investigation and report binder. 1993. Box 22 Centurion Ministries report to Los Angeles District Attorney's Office binder. 1993. Box 13 Elmer G. Pratt - petition for writ of habeas corpus. 1996. Box 13 Habeas corpus - District Attorney interview of Roger Lewis. 1996. Box 12 Habeas corpus - District Attorney's interview with Melvin (Cotton) Smith. 1996. Box 13 Habeas corpus - District Attorney interviews, memorandum, and faxes. 1996. Box 9 Habeas corpus - discovery from Los Angeles District Attorney binder (in 2 folders). 1996. Box 15 Habeas corpus - partial reporter's transcript. 1996 Jul 15. Box 23 Habeas corpus - Pratt Attorney's hand written notes regarding witness testimony (7 spiral notepads). 1996.

Finding aid fo the David 2126 4 Bernstein papers Container List

Box 22 Habeas corpus - reporter's transcripts of witness testimony binder. 1996. Box 23 Habeas corpus - reporter's transcripts of witness testimony binder. 1996. Boxes 1-2 Habeas corpus - Reporter's Transcript (in Box 1), testimony and some exhibits. 1996-1997. Scope and Content Habeas corpus Reporter's Transcript (in Box 1), testimony and some exhibits

Box 23 Tennis Court Trial - Kalustian's trial notebook. 1996. Box 13 Email from Goldin to Bernstein. 1997. Box 12 In Re: Elmer Gerard Pratt - LA Weekly article by Greg Goldin - first draft. 1997.

Finding aid fo the David 2126 5 Bernstein papers