1979 Law & Justice Events — Verified Historical Highlights
1979 Law & Justice Events — Verified Historical Highlights | TakeMeBack.to
- 02 Jan Sid Vicious' trial for the alleged murder of his girlfriend Nancy Spungen begins: On January 2, 1979, Sid Vicious, bassist for the Sex Pistols, stood trial in New York City for the second-degree murder of his girlfriend, Nancy Spungen, who was found stabbed to death in their hotel room on October 12, 1978. Vicious was released on bail but died from a heroin overdose on February 2, 1979, before the trial concluded. source: crimeandinvestigation.co.uk
- 04 Jan Ohio settles Kent State shootings civil suits for $675,000: On January 4, 1979, the State of Ohio reached an out-of-court settlement with victims and relatives of victims of the 1970 Kent State University shootings. The settlement included $675,000 in damages and a statement expressing regret for the tragedy, though it did not assign liability. The funds were distributed among nine wounded students and the families of four students killed, with the largest amount awarded to Dean Kahler, who was paralyzed in the incident. source: washingtonpost.com
- 09 Jan Colautti v. Franklin: Supreme Court voids vagueness in Pennsylvania's abortion statute: On January 9, 1979, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Colautti v. Franklin that a section of Pennsylvania's 1974 Abortion Control Act was void for vagueness. The specific provision required abortion providers to determine fetal viability based on their experience and professional judgment, a standard the Court found too ambiguous. This decision emphasized the necessity for clear and precise legislative language in abortion regulations. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 13 Jan YMCA files libel suit against Village People's 'YMCA' song: On January 13, 1979, the Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) filed a libel lawsuit against the Village People, alleging that their hit song 'YMCA' misrepresented the organization. The lawsuit was later dropped. source: brainyhistory.com
- 19 Jan John N. Mitchell paroled from federal prison: John N. Mitchell, former U.S. Attorney General, was released on parole from federal prison on January 19, 1979, after serving 19 months of a one-to-four-year sentence for his involvement in the Watergate scandal. Mitchell, 65 at the time, had undergone major surgery during his incarceration and was granted parole due to health concerns. He was the last of the Watergate figures to be released from prison. source: washingtonpost.com
- 01 Feb Patty Hearst released from federal prison after sentence commuted: On February 1, 1979, Patricia Hearst, the granddaughter of newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst, was released from federal prison after President Jimmy Carter commuted her seven-year sentence for armed bank robbery to the 22 months she had already served. Hearst had been convicted in 1976 for her involvement in a 1974 bank robbery committed with the Symbionese Liberation Army, a group that had kidnapped her earlier that year. Her release was under stringent conditions, and she remained on probation for the state sentence on the sporting goods store plea. source: washingtonpost.com
- 06 Feb Supreme Court upholds Zulfikar Ali Bhutto's death sentence: On February 6, 1979, Pakistan's Supreme Court upheld the death sentence of former Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, who had been convicted of murder in 1978. The court's decision was a 4-3 split, affirming the Lahore High Court's verdict. Bhutto was executed on April 4, 1979, under the military regime of General Zia-ul-Haq. source: washingtonpost.com
- 01 Mar German Constitutional Court upholds worker participation law: On March 1, 1979, the German Federal Constitutional Court upheld the constitutionality of the 1976 Co-determination Act (Mitbestimmungsgesetz), which mandates that companies with over 2,000 employees have equal representation of workers and shareholders on their supervisory boards. This decision reinforced the principle of co-determination in Germany, ensuring significant employee participation in corporate governance. source: eurofound.europa.eu
- 27 Mar Delaware v. Prouse limits police vehicle stops without reasonable suspicion: In the 1979 Supreme Court case Delaware v. Prouse, the Court ruled that police cannot stop motorists at random to check driver's licenses and vehicle registrations without reasonable suspicion of a law violation. This decision emphasized the Fourth Amendment's protection against unreasonable searches and seizures. source: politico.com
- 19 Apr Philippine Supreme Court Chief Justice Fred Ruiz Castro dies in India: Fred Ruiz Castro, the 12th Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines, died on April 19, 1979, while on an official trip to India. He served as Chief Justice from January 5, 1976, until his death. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 25 May First post-moratorium execution in Florida: John Arthur Spenkelink was executed by electric chair on May 25, 1979, marking Florida's first execution after the death penalty was reinstated in 1976. He was convicted of the 1973 murder of Joseph J. Szymankiewicz in Tallahassee. Spenkelink's execution was the first in the United States since 1967, following Gary Gilmore's execution in Utah in 1977. source: washingtonpost.com
- 29 May Los Angeles enacts anti-discrimination laws protecting homosexuals: On May 29, 1979, Los Angeles passed ordinances prohibiting discrimination against homosexuals in private sector employment and in patronization of business establishments. Mayor Thomas Bradley signed these bills into effect on July 2, 1979. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 07 Jun Chuck Berry charged with tax evasion: On June 7, 1979, rock and roll legend Chuck Berry was indicted for federal income tax evasion, accused of failing to report nearly $110,000 in earnings from his 1973 concerts. He pleaded guilty to the charges and was sentenced to four months in prison, 1,000 hours of community service, and a fine. Berry served his prison term at Lompoc Prison Camp in California, beginning on August 18, 1979. source: washingtontimes.com
- 11 Jun Chuck Berry pleads guilty to income tax evasion: On June 11, 1979, Chuck Berry pleaded guilty to income tax evasion charges, admitting to underreporting his income by approximately $110,000. He was sentenced to four months in federal prison and 1,000 hours of community service, which he fulfilled through benefit concerts. Berry served his sentence at Lompoc Prison Camp in California. source: thisdayinmusic.com
- 13 Jun Sioux Nation awarded over $100 million compensation for Black Hills land seizure: On June 13, 1979, the U.S. Court of Claims ruled that the Sioux Nation was entitled to more than $100 million as compensation for the illegal seizure of the Black Hills in 1877. This decision marked the largest court settlement ever awarded to American Indians at that time. source: oregonnews.uoregon.edu
- 22 Jun Jeremy Thorpe acquitted in controversial murder conspiracy case: On June 22, 1979, former Liberal Party leader Jeremy Thorpe and three co-defendants were acquitted of charges alleging they conspired to murder Norman Scott, Thorpe's former lover. The trial, lasting six weeks at the Old Bailey, concluded with the jury's unanimous verdict after deliberations over three days. Despite the acquittal, the case significantly impacted Thorpe's political career. source: washingtonpost.com
- 24 Jun Founding of the Permanent Peoples' Tribunal in Bologna, Italy: The Permanent Peoples' Tribunal (PPT) was established in Bologna, Italy, on June 24, 1979, at the initiative of Senator Lelio Basso. It succeeded the Russell Tribunal and serves as an international opinion tribunal examining cases of human rights violations and rights of peoples. The PPT operates independently from state authorities and aims to provide a platform for victims to seek justice when national and international legal systems fail to do so. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 26 Jun John Paul Stevens confirmed to the Supreme Court: On June 26, 1979, John Paul Stevens was confirmed as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. Nominated by President Gerald Ford, Stevens served on the Court until his retirement in 2010, becoming known for his moderate and pragmatic approach to constitutional interpretation. source: supremecourt.gov
- 27 Jun Supreme Court upholds affirmative action employment quotas in United Steelworkers v. Weber: On June 27, 1979, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in United Steelworkers v. Weber that private employers and unions may voluntarily implement affirmative action plans, including racial quotas, to address past discrimination. The case involved Kaiser Aluminum and Chemical Corp. and the United Steelworkers of America, which had established a training program reserving 50% of slots for black employees to rectify racial imbalances. The Court determined that such voluntary plans did not violate Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as they aimed to eliminate traditional patterns of racial segregation and hierarchy without imposing an absolute bar to the advancement of white employees. source: washingtonpost.com
- 01 Jul Sweden becomes first country to ban corporal punishment of children: On July 1, 1979, Sweden became the first nation to explicitly prohibit all forms of corporal punishment of children, including by parents, through an amendment to the Parenthood and Guardianship Code. This law aimed to protect children's rights and promote non-violent child-rearing methods. source: blogs.loc.gov
- 03 Jul Germany abolishes statute of limitations for murder: On July 3, 1979, the West German parliament voted to abolish the statute of limitations for murder, ensuring that individuals could be prosecuted for murder regardless of when the crime occurred. This decision aimed to prevent Nazi-era war criminals from evading justice after the statute was set to expire on December 31, 1979. The move followed extensive debates and international pressure to hold perpetrators of Nazi crimes accountable. source: washingtonpost.com
- 10 Jul Chuck Berry sentenced to four months for tax evasion: On July 10, 1979, rock legend Chuck Berry was sentenced to four months in federal prison for tax evasion related to his 1973 tax return. He was also ordered to perform 1,000 hours of community service and placed on four years of probation. Berry began serving his sentence at Lompoc Prison in California on August 10, 1979, and was released on November 19, 1979, after serving two months. source: cbsnews.com
- 31 Jul Ted Bundy convicted in Florida State University murders: On July 31, 1979, Ted Bundy was convicted of the murders of two Florida State University sorority sisters, Cheryl Thomas and Lisa Levy, in Tallahassee, Florida. This trial was the first to be televised nationally, drawing significant public attention. source: local10.com
- 09 Aug FBI agents killed in two separate incidents on August 9, 1979: On August 9, 1979, three FBI agents were killed in two separate incidents. In Cleveland, Ohio, Special Agent Johnnie L. Oliver was fatally shot while pursuing a fugitive. In El Centro, California, Special Agents J. Robert Porter and Charles W. Elmore were killed when a gunman entered the FBI office and opened fire before taking his own life. source: fbi.gov
- 20 Sep France abolishes the death penalty: On September 20, 1979, France officially abolished the death penalty, marking a significant shift in its legal system. This decision was part of a broader movement towards human rights and the protection of individual dignity. The abolition was solidified by a law passed in 1981, making France one of the first countries to eliminate capital punishment in modern times. source: britannica.com
- 11 Oct Senate denounces Senator Herman Talmadge for financial misconduct: On October 11, 1979, the U.S. Senate voted 81–15 to denounce Senator Herman E. Talmadge for 'reprehensible' conduct regarding his official finances. The Senate found that Talmadge had accepted $43,435.83 in improper reimbursements between 1973 and 1978 and failed to report over $10,000 in campaign contributions. This action marked the first time the Senate disciplined one of its members since 1967. source: senate.gov
- 09 Nov Four men convicted of Carl Bridgewater's murder in 1979: In November 1979, four men—James Robinson, cousins Vincent and Michael Hickey, and Patrick Molloy—were convicted for the murder of 13-year-old paperboy Carl Bridgewater, who was shot while delivering newspapers in Stourbridge, England. The convictions were overturned in 1997 after the Court of Appeal found the trial had been unfair due to fabricated evidence by police officers. source: news.bbc.co.uk
- 19 Nov Chuck Berry sentenced to prison for tax evasion: On November 19, 1979, Chuck Berry was sentenced to four months in federal prison after pleading guilty to tax evasion charges. He had failed to file income tax returns for several years, leading to the charges. Following his release, Berry was also ordered to perform 1,000 hours of community service through benefit concerts. source: cbsnews.com
- 03 Dec Iran adopts new constitution: On December 2 and 3, 1979, Iran held a referendum in which 99.5% of voters approved the new Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran, replacing the 1906 Constitution. The new constitution established a hybrid regime combining theocratic and democratic elements, with sovereignty vested in God and provisions for elected bodies such as the presidency and parliament. source: wipo.int
- 15 Dec International Court of Justice orders Iran to release U.S. hostages: On December 15, 1979, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued an order demanding that Iran immediately release all U.S. nationals held hostage in Tehran and restore the U.S. Embassy premises to American control. This decision was made in response to the seizure of the U.S. Embassy by Iranian militants on November 4, 1979, and the subsequent detention of embassy personnel. The ICJ emphasized Iran's obligations under international law, including the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, and called for the protection and safe departure of the hostages. source: washingtonpost.com
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