In a stunning display of defiance, Jacob Belch, a.k.a. Jack Sullivan, the infamous ‘King of the Newsboys,’ took the stand in the trial of Police Lieutenant Charles Becker, causing a sensation that would be remembered for years to come. On October 15, 1912, in New York, Belch, a self-proclaimed witness, boldly defied the district attorney and the court, sparking a heated exchange with Justice Goff. When Goff reminded the witness that he was in a court of law, Belch shot back with a fierce determination, ‘I know what I am in here. When I was made an accomplice to the murder of Herman Rosenthal, I was framed up by the district attorney.’ He continued, ‘I have been robbed of my family, and if there was such a thing as justice, I would not now be in jail.’
Related Federal Cases
Key Facts
- State: National
- Category: Violent Crime
- Era: Historical
- Source: Library of Congress — Chronicling America ↗
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