Subseries 6. Larry King Live Appearances

Scope and Content Notes: During the years following Thornburgh's work at the United Nations, he "embarked upon a new mini-career as a television 'personality'" ( Evidence, p.352). Thornburgh, of course, as a political figure, had much experience appearing as guest on network news shows, but the 1990s explosion of twenty-four-hour-a-day news networks, such as FOX News, CNN, CNBC, etc., drastically increased the news shows and their coverage. He first received a phone call from the producer of CNN's "Larry King Live" show on July 6, 1994, requesting Thornburgh to appear on the show to discuss some of the legal implications of the O.J. Simpson case, which was already promising to become a huge media blitz of both analysis and hype over the next year and a half, until a verdict would be reached. Thornburgh writes, "I was about to become engrossed in 'the trial of the century'" ( Evidence, p.352). Thornburgh and two others became "regulars" regarding the trial, Thornburgh consistently interpreting the actual legal issues involved. Thornburgh had occasion during the months of the trial to advocate and argue for several improvements to the criminal justice system, including the "removal of racist policemen like Mark Fuhrman from police forces across America; closer scrutiny by prosecutors on the background of all witnesses ... judicial appointment of scientific experts to replace highly paid, partisan 'hired guns' engaged in scientific swearing contests; restrictions on the number of lawyers permitted to participate on either side" ( Evidence, p.352) and other issues. Thornburgh also dealt with the hot debate topic of camera surveillance in courtrooms, but found himself in the minority of those in favor, noting Judge Lance Ito's courtroom during the trial little different that the venues in which Thornburgh had tried cases-"Barely perceptible cameras unobtrusively recorded the proceedings" ( Evidence, p.353). His successful, and highly regarded appearances on CNN resulted in a number of opportunities to host the show after the Simpson trial, when King took the night off. These gave him an opportunity to examine legal aspects of other high-profile criminal cases such as Gotti and the Unabomber, as well as varied topics such as elections, DNA evidence and wrongful convictions, Bosnia and Ireland, and gubernatorial issues of economic development and welfare reform. Thornburgh also appeared on other shows, such as CNN's "Burden of Proof" and CNN's "Late Edition," hosted by Wolf Blitzer. These files are organized as follows: 1) Thornburgh's show appearances on CNN's "Larry King Live," as host as well as panelist. These files include Ginny Thornburgh's notes, Thornburgh's notes in preparation, and some post-analysis, and background research; 2) Thornburgh's show appearances on other CNN programs; 3) Thornburgh's files on the O.J. Simpson case, including notes, correspondence, materials relating to Thornburgh's "Larry King Live" appearances and work, and other files of Thornburgh on the case; 4) Newswires, clippings, and journal articles regarding O.J. Simpson and related cases.

Section: Thornburgh's Appearances on CNN's "Larry King Live," including as host

Box 1004

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1-48

Regarding O.J. Simpson case July 6, 1994-October 20, 1995

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49

Regarding Bosnia and presidential primary elections (Arlen Specters' withdrawal from race): Thornburgh as guest host November 21, 1995

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50

Regarding primary elections and Newt Gingrich, budget issues, Bosnia and Ireland: Thornburgh as guest host November 30, 1995

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51

Regarding O.J. Simpson civil trial December 20, 1995

Box 1005

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1

Regarding DNA evidence and wrongful convictions January 3, 1996

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2

Regarding Governors' positions on welfare reform, crime, economic development, and the presidential race: Thornburgh as guest host February 3, 1996

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3

Regarding Unabomber Ted Kaczynski: Thornburgh as guest host April 16, 1996

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4

Regarding John Gotti September 16, 1996

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5

Regarding O.J. Simpson, Robert Bork and Polly Klass: Thornburgh as guest host September 27, 1996

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6

Regarding Richard Jewell, Paula Jones, O.J. Simpson, and other major legal cases of 1996 January 2, 1997

Section: Thornburgh's Appearances on Other CNN Programs

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7

Appearance on CNN regarding the criminal justice system October 8, 1995

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8

Appearance on CNN's "Burden of Proof," regarding Paul Butler and racially-based jury nullification January 15, 1996

Section: Thornburgh's Files on the O.J. Simpson Case

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9

Chronology of the O.J. Simpson murder, investigation and trials 1994-1999

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10

Correspondence to Thornburgh regarding the O.J. Simpson case 1994-1997

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11

Additional notes by Thornburgh on O.J. Simpson and case 1995

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12

Clippings and materials regarding Thornburgh's work on "Larry King Live" in relation to the O.J. Simpson case, including article by Thornburgh prepared for K&L newsletter 1995

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13

Memorandum to Thornburgh from Roger Adelman regarding evidence issues in the O.J. Simpson case January 11, 1995

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14

"Facts and opinions about cameras in courtrooms," published by CourtTV July, 1995

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15

Legal case research regarding expert witnesses, evidence and murder scenes 1995-1996

Section: Newswires, Clippings, and Journal Articles regarding O.J. Simpson and Related Cases

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16

Newswires regarding O.J. Simpson case 1994-1995

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17

Clippings regarding juries and jury selection in relation to O.J. Simpson case 1995

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18-19

Clippings regarding O.J. Simpson case and trial 1994-1996

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20

Clippings on other legal topics and issues, not O.J. Simpson 1994