1. Radio
 / Modified may 1, 2010 2:25 a.m.

ASSASSINATION: IDAHO'S TRIAL OF THE CENTURY

Re-enactments, stills, expert commentary and archival footage piece together one of the most famous criminal trials in United States history. Tuesday, September 8th at 8:00 p.m. on UA Channel. by Colleen Greer

In the summer of 1907, the long-simmering tensions between trade unionists and capitalists finally played out in an Idaho courtroom when "Big Bill" Haywood, the secretary-treasurer of the Western Federation of Miners, stood charged with orchestrating the murder of former governor Frank Steunenberg.

idaho_trial_2

Pictured left to right, the defense team of Clarence Darrow (portrayed by Gary Anderson), William Big Bill Haywood (portrayed by Arthur Glen Hughes) and Edmund Richardson (portrayed by R. Douglas Copsey).

Harry Orchard, admitted assassin, fingers Haywood and other Western Federation of Miners leaders.

The three-month trial thrust Idaho into the national spotlight, as two of the West's sharpest legal minds, criminal lawyer James Hawley and newly elected United States Senator William Borah, clashed with legendary defense attorney Clarence Darrow in a "struggle for the soul of America."

Commentary from historical researchers sets the stage and supports the story as it unfolds onscreen

By posting comments, you agree to our
AZPM encourages comments, but comments that contain profanity, unrelated information, threats, libel, defamatory statements, obscenities, pornography or that violate the law are not allowed. Comments that promote commercial products or services are not allowed. Comments in violation of this policy will be removed. Continued posting of comments that violate this policy will result in the commenter being banned from the site.

By submitting your comments, you hereby give AZPM the right to post your comments and potentially use them in any other form of media operated by this institution.
AZPM is a service of the University of Arizona and our broadcast stations are licensed to the Arizona Board of Regents who hold the trademarks for Arizona Public Media and AZPM. We respectfully acknowledge the University of Arizona is on the land and territories of Indigenous peoples.
The University of Arizona