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Renato Zane's avatar

This idea of McMahon's of working in spiral bound notebooks in court in order not to attract attention and then redrawing them in ink later is a good one. I guess he had the time to do it before submitting them. Different era. Great drawings.

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Bill Russell's avatar

Yup, a bygone era, but some courtrooms still restrict cameras, where artists work analog, etc.

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Susan  Olson's avatar

I enjoy reading these as much as you enjoy writing and re-writing your reportages. Franklin McMahon's drawings and his writings display such soul. Thank you for the histories.

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Bill Russell's avatar

You're welcome, Susy!

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Deborah McMahon Osterholtz's avatar

Bill, Thank you for posting these drawings. I am Deborah, Franklin McMahons daughter. For those who are interested there is a show with this artwork at The Chicago History Museum It includes good virtual talks about the trial and my father’s story. His Emmy and Peabody award winning films are available to view on line at The Chicago Film archives. I also had a book published recently THE WORLD IS YOUR STUDIO Travel Stories by Irene and Franklin McMahon It is available on Amazon.

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Bill Russell's avatar

Thank you, Deborah! I'll post links to The Chicago History Museum show and the book of travel stories you wrote with your father. He was such a courageous talent!

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Deborah McMahon Osterholtz's avatar

Thank You!

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Juan - STUFF EYE SEE's avatar

Powerful post. I can imagine that "time stood still" in the 'pointing' moment.

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Bill Russell's avatar

Agreed. Moses took the stand and used his new found power powerfully.

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Marta's avatar

Thanks for this Bill. I didn’t see this one the first time around, it was maybe before I subscribed.

Such a viscerally shocking scenario, both the murder and the all white male jury. I’d heard of this case but didn’t know of McMahon.

I wish I could say the world has moved on since then.

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Bill Russell's avatar

Thanks Marta. Stay tuned for some new 're-visits' in the coming weeks.

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Cara Holland's avatar

So good to see these, thanks for sharing.

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Bill Russell's avatar

Thx. Cara!

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Lauren S.'s avatar

Really neat to see the sketches and then how the layout ran in the mag.

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