F Lee Bailey

Introduction:

F Lee Bailey was a renowned American criminal defense attorney, notable for representing high profile clients such as O.J. Simpson, Patty Hearst and Albert DeSalvo, famously known as the Boston Strangler. Bailey was a pioneer in the field of criminal defense law, with a career spanning over four decades. His clients included people wrongly accused of crimes, as well as those who were guilty. He was known for his expertise in cross-examination, ability to manipulate the media, and his wins in difficult cases.

Early life and education:

Born on June 10, 1933, in Waltham, Massachusetts, Bailey was the son of a carpenter and a bookkeeper. He attended prep school at Cardigan Mountain School before enrolling at Harvard University. However, he dropped out of college to enlist in the United States Marine Corps, where he served as an aviator. After being honourably discharged, Bailey pursued his law degree from Boston University's School of Law.

Career and important events:

Bailey started his law career as a litigator in Boston, handling civil and criminal cases. He gained prominence in 1966 when he successfully defended Dr Sam Sheppard, who was accused of murdering his wife. Bailey's cross-examination played a crucial role in securing Sheppard's acquittal.

Bailey gained national recognition in the 1970s when he took on the case of Captain Ernest Medina, accused of leading the My Lai Massacre. Still, his defense strategy – alleging army cover-up – was unsuccessful.

Bailey's biggest and most controversial case was in 1995 when he teamed up with Robert Shapiro and Alan Dershowitz to lead the defense of former football player O.J. Simpson, who was charged with murdering his ex-wife and her friend. Bailey's cross-examination skills played a crucial role in Simpson's acquittal.

Throughout his career, Bailey published seven non-fiction books, including "The Defense Never Rests" and "The Cross-Examination Handbook."

Personality and motivation:

Bailey was known to be a confident and persuasive lawyer, with a sharp mind and a quick wit. He was committed to his clients and often went to extreme lengths to defend them. He had a deep sense of justice and was motivated by the idea of using his skills to bring justice to the wrongly accused.

Before becoming famous:

Early in his career, Bailey struggled to build his practice and make a name for himself. He often took on low-paying cases and struggled to make ends meet. However, his dedication to his clients paid off, and he gained a reputation for taking on difficult cases and winning them.

Family life:

Bailey was married four times and had a son named Scott. He divorced three times from his first three wives, Carol L. Remeick, Florence Gott, and Froma Portney. His fourth marriage was to Patricia Shiers in 1985, and they stayed together until her death in 1999.

Linked to other people in the industry:

Bailey was friends with many high-profile people in the legal profession, including fellow defense attorney, Alan Dershowitz. He clashed with Robert Shapiro during the O.J. Simpson trial but maintained a cordial relationship with him afterward. Bailey was also competitive with fellow defense attorney William Kunstler, who once commented that Bailey was more interested in fame than justice.