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Xerox University Microfilms 300 North Zoab Road Ann Arbor, Michigan 48100 76-24, 587 DICKS, Vtvtan Irene, 1945- A RHETORICAL ANALYSIS OF THE FORENSIC AND DELIBERATIVE ISSUES AND STRATEGIES IN THE ANGELA DAVrS TRIAL. The Ohio State University, Ph.D., 1<}76 Speech Xerox University Microfilmsi Ann Arbor, Michigan 40106 Copyright by © Vivian Irene Dicks 1976 11 1 A RHETORICAL ANALYSIS OF THE FORENSIC AND DELIBERATIVE ISSUES AND STRATEGIES IN THE ANGELA DAVIS TRIAL DISSERTATION Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy in the Graduate School of The Ohio State University By Vivian Irene Dicks, B.A., M.A. The Ohio State University 1976 Reading Committee: Approved By Dr. James L. Golden Dr. John Makay Dr. Keith Brooks 0 tj Adviser Department of Communication VITA NAME: Vivian Irene Dicks EDUCATION: The Ohio State University Ph.D. 1976 M.A. 1968 Wayne State University B.A. 1967 Teaching Certificate 1967 EMPLOYMENT: Wayne State University Instructor, Debate and Forensics Coach 1970-current National Analysts, Inc. Consultant (part-time) 1974, 1976 University of Detroit Instructor (part-time) 1973-1975 Detroit Board of Education Substitute Teacher 1969-1970 The Ohio State University Graduate Assistant 1967-1969 PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES: Journal of the American Forensic Association Editor— "In Print" current Regional Sub-Editor— "Forensic Calendar" 1974-current Michigan Speech Association Parliamentarian 1975-current Michigan Intercollegiate Speech League Director of Forensics 1974-current President 1974-1975 Director of Oratory 1971-1972 PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS: American Association of University Professors American Forensic Association American Institute of Parliamentarians Central States Speech Association Michigan Speech Association Speech Communication Association ill TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter I. INTRODUCTION............................................ 1 Justification for the Study......................... 1 Methodology ........................................ 6 Notes to Chapter. ........... 14 II. EVENTS AND PERSONNEL.......................................16 Events......................................... 16 The Attempted Escape and Its Investigation..........16 Arrest and Extradition............................. 18 Pre-Trial Events...................................19 Judge Selection . ........................... 20 The Role of Ruchell Magee..................... 24 Angela Davis as Co-Defense Counsel..............36 Bail.......................................... 40 Venue ........... 47 National and International Interest .......... 50 Jury Selection..................................... 57 Personnel .......................................63 The Prosecution................................... 64 Albert W. Harris, Jr........................... 64 Clifford K. Thompson, Jr..................... 65 The Defense.......................................66 Howard R. Moore, Jr............................ 66 Leo Branton...................................67 Margaret Burnham........................... 68 Doris Walker...................................69 Angela Y. D a v i s ............................... 70 The Judge .......................................73 Richard E. Arnason............................. 73 Notes to Chapter.......................................75 • III. FORENSIC ISSUES.......................................... 84 Stasis of Fact........................................ 89 Stasis of Definition.................................. 115 Stasis of Quality....................................124 Stasis of Objection..................................127 Summary.............................. 132 Notes to Chapter......................................136 IV. FORENSIC STRATEGIES......................................140 Prosecution..........................................140 iv Focus.................................... 141 Itemization . ..................................148 Refutation. ......... ................... 155 Defense...................................... 166 Focus........................ 166 Suppression......................................168 Refutation.................................. 163 Notes to Chapter...................................... 199 V. DELIBERATIVE ISSUES...................................... 203 Frame of 111..........................................204 Frame of Reformability................................ 216 Notes to Chapter...................................... 227 VI. DELIBERATIVE STRATEGIES.................................. 229 Defense............................................. 229 Description......................................229 Vilification..................................... 237 Prosecution......................................... 241 Focus........................................... 241 Refutation....................................... 243 Notes to Chapter......................................247 VII. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS..................................249 Summary ....................................249 Issues........................................... 249 Strategies....................................... 251 Prosecution..... ........................ 252 Defense......................................253 Conclusions......................................... 255 Contributions to Modern Legal Rhetoric.............. 255 Contributions to the Study of Political Trials. 261 Suggestions for Further St u d y ......................... 268 Notes to Chapter......................................272 BIBLIOGRAPHY..................................................... 273 v CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION In the back of a rented van lay the body of the Judge, his face half blown away by the impact from a shot-gun blast. A Deputy District Attorney would never walk again. Two convicts were dead. Another con­ vict and a juror were wounded. The perpetrator of this August 7, 1970 break for freedom also lay dead. Angela Davis was not present. On the basis of some data and a California law, however, a warrant was issued for her arrest, and her name was placed on the FBI Ten Most Wanted list. In spite of her attempted flight she was arrested and brought to trial. It is that trial and the rhetorical issues and strategies selected by the prosecution and defense that are the focus of this study. In Chapter II we will look more closely at the surrounding events, but first a discussion of the justification and methodology for studying the trial are necessary. Justification for the Study There are two justifications for examining the rhetorical Issues and strategies employed in the Davis trial. First, such a study can contribute to our knowledge of modern legal rhetoric. A survey of the Table of Contents and Index of The Quarterly Journal of Speech, 1915-1969; Speech Monographs. 1934-1969; The Speech Teacher 1952-1969; Southern Speech Journal. 1935-1969; Western Speech Journal, 1937-1969; Central States Speech Journal, 1949-1969; and Today's Speech, 1953-1969 uncovered assorted articles regarding courtroom speaking. These generally concerned a specific attorney, a single speech, one type of strategy or proof, or a general attempt to relate speech to the courtroom. In 1971, when Rieke wrote "The Rhetoric of Law: A Bibliographic Essay" for the Book Reviews section of Today's Speech, he relied primarily on texts more likely found in law libraries than in the libraries of modern rhetoricians. Rieke concluded his Essay by claiming: At least two broad generalizations seem warranted. First, there seems to be a tremendous opportunity for cooperative research between law and rhetorical and communication theory both