Michael Thomas Barry's blog

J. Edgar Hoover

by Michael Thomas Barry

On May 2, 1972, J. Edgar Hoover died. After nearly five decades as director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Hoover left the powerful government agency without an administrator.

Jayson Williams

by Michael Thomas Barry

On May 1, 2002, former NBA All-Star Jayson Williams was indicted on a series of charges, including aggravated manslaughter, in connection with the shooting death of limousine driver Costas Christofi.

Alderson Federal Prison

by Michael Thomas Barry

On April 30, 1927, the Federal Industrial Institution for Women, the first women's federal prison, opens in Alderson, West Virginia. All women serving federal sentences of more than a year were to be brought here. Run by Dr. Mary B. Harris, the prison's buildings, each named after social reformers, sat atop 500 acres.

Rodney King

by Michael Thomas Barry

On April 29, 1992, four police officers who were accused of beating Rodney King are acquitted. The announcement of the verdict, which enraged the black community, prompted widespread rioting throughout much of Los Angeles. It wasn't until three days later that the arson and looting finally ended.

Phillip and Nancy Garrido

by Michael Thomas Barry

On April 28, 2011, Phillip Garrido and his wife Nancy plead guilty to the kidnapping of 11-year-old Jaycee Dugard. The Garrido’s held Dugard captive at their Northern California property for 18 years, during which time Phillip Garrido fathered two children with her. The 29-year-old Dugard was rescued, along with her daughters, then ages 11 and 15, in 2009.

Andrew Cunanan

by Michael Thomas Barry

On April 27, 1997, Andrew Cunanan kills Jeffrey Trail by beating him to death with a claw hammer in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Trail's murder set Cunanan off on a killing spree that ended in July when he killed himself on a houseboat in Miami Beach.

Mary Phagan

by Michael Thomas Barry

On April 26, 1913, thirteen-year-old Mary Phagan is found sexually molested and murdered in the basement of an Atlanta pencil factory where she worked. Her murder later led to one of the most disgraceful episodes of bigotry, injustice, and mob violence in American history.