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- Description:
- Sue Kerr Hicks, best known for his role as prosecutor in the 1925 trial of John T. Scopes for teaching the theory of evolution in a Tennessee school, reflects on the trial and the part he played in history. Hicks claims that he actually worked with others to bring the case forward in the courts in order to test the constitutionality of Tennessee's Butler Act which prevented the teaching of evolution. He discusses how the trial progressed, the celebrities who were involved, and his hope that the case would eventually be tested in the United States Supreme Court. Hicks also explains how his name came to be the inspiration for the Shel Silverstein song "A Boy Named Sue," which was popularized by country music performer Johnny Cash. Hicks is interviewed by Jeff Bradley. Ends abruptly.
- Date Issued:
- 1975-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Michigan State University. Libraries
- Collection:
- G. Robert Vincent Voice Library Collection
- Description:
- Part 1: In an oral history interview, former Michigan Supreme Court Justice John W. Fitzgerald discusses his family background, serving in the armed forces, attending law school at the University of Michigan, the early days of his legal career, and running for the the Michigan Senate in 1958 and the newly created Michigan Court of Appeals in 1964. Justice Fitzgerald also talks about his decision to leave the Court of Appeals to serve on the Michigan Supreme Court, the Supreme Court election process, his own campaigns and his decision not to accept campaign contributions from lawyers. Fitzgerald further provides insight on the Supreme Court's decision making process, the composition of the Court during his tenure and the famous Scholle vs. Secretary of State case. Part 2: In an oral history interview, former Michigan Supreme Court Justice John W. Fitzgerald talks about his early days on the Michigan Supreme Court and difficult issues faced by the Court in the nineteen-seventies, including selecting a new Chief Justice in 1974, the death of Justice Thomas M. Kavanagh in 1975, and the investigation of Justice John Swainson later that same year. He says that some cases suffered during that period because the Court was "short-handed". Justice Fitzgerald also discusses memorable cases decided by the Court during his tenure, including People vs. Beavers and the "Poletown" case, the legislative role of the court, and collegiality amongst the justices.
- Date Created:
- 1990-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Michigan State University. Libraries
- Collection:
- Interviews with Michigan State Supreme Court Justices
- Description:
- Sue Kerr Hicks, best known for his role as prosecutor in the 1925 trial of John T. Scopes for teaching the theory of evolution in a Tennessee school, reflects on the trial and the part he played in history. Hicks claims that he actually worked with others to bring the case forward in the courts in order to test the constitutionality of Tennessee's Butler Act which prevented the teaching of evolution. He discusses how the trial progressed, the celebrities who were involved, and his hope that the case would eventually be tested in the United States Supreme Court. Hicks also explains how his name came to be the inspiration for the Shel Silverstein song "A Boy Named Sue," which was popularized by country music performer Johnny Cash. Hicks is interviewed by Jeff Bradley. Ends abruptly.
- Date Issued:
- 1975-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Michigan State University. Libraries
- Collection:
- G. Robert Vincent Voice Library Collection