A lasting impact
To be considered a "landmark trial," a case must represent a significant occasion in legal history that continues to attract public interest and spark discussions. These cases usually include well-known persons, important social matters, or innovative legal rulings. Here are some of the most impactful trials of the century:
The Nuremberg Trials: Crime
Post-WWII, the Allied forces held the Nuremberg Trials to prosecute war criminals for crimes against humanity, including genocide. The trials set a precedent for international law and punishment of war crimes.
Galerie Bilderwelt, Getty Images
The Nuremberg Trials: Verdict
The Nuremberg Trials resulted in executions and long prison terms for major figures, influencing particularly the creation of human rights and genocide laws. These emphasized individual accountability and fairness.
The Adolf Eichmann Trial: Crime
Israeli Mossad captured Adolf Eichmann, a key Holocaust planner, in Argentina in 1960. The Jerusalem trial exposed Eichmann's role in the genocide of the Jews. His arrest and trial were crucial events in Holocaust history.
The Adolf Eichmann Trial: Verdict
The televised trial of Eichmann brought Holocaust survivors' stories to light, leading to his guilty conviction on multiple counts and eventual execution in 1962.
The Scopes Monkey Trial: Crime
In 1925, Tennessee teacher John T. Scopes was tried for teaching evolution over creationism. The Scopes Monkey Trial, involving notable figures like Clarence Darrow and William Jennings Bryan, sparked debate on science and religion in education.
Underwood Archives, Getty images
The Scopes Monkey Trial: Verdict
Scopes was convicted, however, the verdict was eventually reversed. The trial remains a significant case in the history of American education.
The Charles Manson Trial: Crime
Charles Manson and Manson Family members tried in 1970 for ending the lives of several people, including Sharon Tate. Manson's charismatic control and gruesome activities captivated the public.
The Charles Manson Trial: Verdict
Manson and followers were initially sentenced to death, but were then later commuted to life imprisonment when California abolished death penalty. The trial highlighted dangers of cults and psychological manipulation by powerful leaders.
The Trial of the Chicago Seven: Crime
In 1969, seven people were accused of inciting riots at the 1968 DNC in Chicago, reflecting the clash between counterculture and establishment during social unrest.
The Trial of the Chicago Seven: Verdict
Some defendants who were initially convicted had their charges reversed on appeal. The trial continues to start conversations about freedom of speech and government control.
The Sacco and Vanzetti Trial: Crime
The 1920s trial of Italian immigrants Sacco and Vanzetti for theft and ending lives was fueled by anti-immigrant bias and political prejudice. Many people believed they were targeted for their radical beliefs despite no concrete evidence against them.
The Sacco and Vanzetti Trial: Verdict
The case was reviewed years later and biases in judicial system were revealed. The trial remains a powerful example of the potential for injustice in politically charged cases.
The Nelson Mandela Trial: Crime
Nelson Mandela and other anti-apartheid activists were put on trial in 1964 in South Africa for sabotage. The Rivonia Trial symbolized the struggle for racial equality, with Mandela's speeches gaining international attention.
The Nelson Mandela Trial: Verdict
Mandela's life imprisonment sparked global anti-apartheid movement, and his trial showcased human resilience against oppression. He was later released in 1990.
The Ted Bundy Trial: Crime
In the late 1970s, Ted Bundy, a well-known American repeat offender, acted as his own lawyer in court for the lethal acts he committed against young females. The contrasting mix of his charm and his sinisterness attracted significant media attention.
The Ted Bundy Trial: Verdict
Bundy was convicted, sentenced to death, and executed in 1989. His case serves as a chilling reminder of hidden darkness in normalcy and how looks can truly be deceiving.
The Michael Jackson Trial: Crime
In 2005, Michael Jackson was involved in a trial over charges of child offences. Testimonies were heard from his acquaintances and his alleged victims, and Jackson's string of erratic behaviors were also put in the spotlight.
The Michael Jackson Trial: Verdict
Jackson was cleared of charges, but the trial damaged his image. Despite his legendary contributions to music and pop culture, the trial will forever haunt his legacy.
The O.J. Simpson Trial: Crime
In 1994, ex-footballer O.J. Simpson was accused of ending his ex-wife and her friend. The high-profile case, due to Simpson's fame and the brutal crime, included a televised car chase and arrest.
The O.J. Simpson Trial: Verdict
It was called the "Trial of the Century" by many media outlets. Despite strong evidence, the trial ended with Simpson's acquittal. But a recently released document by the FBI revealed new details about Simpson's Bruno Magli shoes, which were the same brand of shoes that left prints at the scene of the crime.
