History of F. Lee Bailey in Timeline

F. Lee Bailey was a prominent American criminal defense attorney known for his involvement in several high-profile cases. He gained notoriety for successfully defending Sam Sheppard in his 1966 retrial for the murder of his wife. Bailey also played a key role in the defense team for Albert DeSalvo, the alleged Boston Strangler, and served as the lead attorney during the court-martial of Captain Ernest Medina related to the My Lai Massacre during the Vietnam War. He was also part of O.J. Simpson's defense team during his murder trial. Despite his successes, Bailey's legal career faced setbacks, including disbarment in Florida and Massachusetts due to misconduct related to client funds.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

June 10, 1933: F. Lee Bailey's Birth

On June 10, 1933, Francis Lee Bailey Jr. was born in Waltham, Massachusetts.

1950: Graduation from Kimball Union Academy

In 1950, Bailey graduated from Kimball Union Academy.

1952: Dropped out of Harvard College to Join the Navy

In 1952, Bailey dropped out of Harvard College to join the United States Navy.

1954: Received Naval Aviator Wings

In 1954, Bailey received his naval aviator wings after flight training.

1954: Sam Sheppard's Initial Conviction

In 1954, Sam Sheppard was found guilty of murdering his wife Marilyn. This case was one of the inspirations for the television series, 'The Fugitive'.

1957: Admitted to Boston University School of Law

In 1957, Bailey was admitted to Boston University School of Law, which accepted his military experience in lieu of the usual undergraduate requirements.

1960: Graduated from Boston University School of Law

In 1960, Bailey graduated with an LL.B. from Boston University School of Law, ranked first in his class with the highest grade point average in the school's history.

1961: Divorce from Florence Gott

In 1961, F. Lee Bailey's first marriage to Florence Gott ended in divorce.

July 30, 1963: William Farber Murder

On July 30, 1963, retired Army Col. William Farber was murdered, leading to Carl A. Coppolino being accused of the crime.

1963: The Fugitive TV series Inspiration

In 1963, The Sam Sheppard murder case, which Bailey later took on, was one of the inspirations for the television series 'The Fugitive'.

1964: Bailey Defended Albert DeSalvo

In 1964, Bailey defended Albert DeSalvo for a series of sexual assaults known as the "Green Man" or "Measuring Man" incidents.

August 28, 1965: Carmela Coppolino Murder

On August 28, 1965, Carmela Coppolino, wife of Carl A. Coppolino, was murdered, leading to Carl being accused of the crime.

December 1966: Bailey Defended Coppolino in New Jersey

In December 1966, Bailey successfully defended Carl A. Coppolino in the New Jersey case over the death of William Farber.

1966: Bailey Won Sheppard a Retrial Before the U.S. Supreme Court

In 1966, Bailey successfully argued before the U.S. Supreme Court that Sam Sheppard had been denied due process, leading to a retrial.

1967: Host of Good Company

In 1967, Bailey became the host of the short-lived ABC television series 'Good Company', in which he interviewed celebrities in their homes.

1967: The Fugitive TV series End

In 1967, The TV series 'The Fugitive' ended, with Sam Sheppard's murder case being one of the inspirations for the series.

November 30, 1969: RKO Television Special Air Date

On November 30, 1969, Bailey was featured in an RKO television special in which he conducted a mock trial on the "Paul is dead" rumor referring to Beatle Paul McCartney in New York City.

1971: Bailey Defended Ernest Medina in My Lai Massacre Court-martial

In 1971, Bailey successfully defended U.S. Army Captain Ernest Medina in his court-martial for responsibility in the My Lai Massacre during the Vietnam War.

1972: Divorce from Froma Portley and Marriage to Lynda Hart

In 1972, F. Lee Bailey divorced Froma Portley and married Lynda Hart.

1973: Indicted on Conspiracy and Mail Fraud Charges

In 1973, Bailey, along with Glenn W. Turner and eight others, was indicted by a federal grand jury on conspiracy and mail fraud charges related to Koscot Interplanetary and Dare to be Great.

1974: George Edgerly Convicted of Murder

In 1974, George Edgerly, whom Bailey had previously defended, was convicted of the murder of General Motors representative Frank Smith.

April 28, 1975: Crocker Bank Robbery in Carmichael

On April 28, 1975, members of the SLA robbed a Crocker Bank branch in Carmichael, California. Patty Hearst drove one of the getaway cars and a customer was killed.

1975: George Edgerly Convicted of Rape

In 1975, George Edgerly, whom Bailey had previously defended, was convicted of a rape.

1975: Turner Pleaded Guilty to Misdemeanor

In 1975, Glenn Turner pleaded guilty to a single misdemeanor charge of violating securities laws and was given probation, while charges against Bailey were dropped in the Koscot Interplanetary and Dare to be Great case.

1977: Patty Hearst's Sentence Commuted

In 1977, Patty Hearst's sentence was commuted by President Jimmy Carter after she had served 22 months of her seven-year sentence, following her conviction in a case where Bailey was her defense attorney.

1980: Divorce from Lynda Hart

In 1980, F. Lee Bailey divorced Lynda Hart.

February 28, 1982: Arrested for Drunk Driving

On February 28, 1982, Bailey was arrested for drunk driving in California, leading to a trial where he was acquitted.

1982: Bailey's Drunk Driving Case

In 1982, Bailey was the defendant in a drunk driving case, which was one of the longest running in California history. He was acquitted but faced legal defense bills of $100,000.

1983: Host of Lie Detector

In 1983, Bailey became the host of a short-lived syndicated television show called 'Lie Detector', where guests were questioned and submitted to a polygraph test.

1983: Korean Air Lines Flight 007 Case

In 1983, Bailey took on the case of aggrieved families of passengers on Korean Air Lines Flight 007, which was shot down over the Soviet Union, leading to criticism of his commitment to the case.

1985: Marriage to Patricia Shiers

In 1985, F. Lee Bailey married Patricia Shiers.

1994: Bailey Represented Claude DuBoc

In 1994, while the O. J. Simpson case was ongoing, Bailey and Robert Shapiro represented Claude DuBoc, who was found guilty of drug trafficking.

1996: Bailey Sent to Prison for Contempt

In 1996, Bailey was sent to prison for 44 days for contempt of court in the Claude DuBoc case, regarding the turnover of BioChem stock.

1996: Imprisonment for contempt of court

In 1996, F. Lee Bailey was imprisoned for six weeks for contempt of court. His brother raised money to enable Bailey to turn over stock to the government, leading to his release.

1998: McCorkles Convicted of Financial Fraud

In 1998, British citizen Chantal McCorkle and her American husband William were tried and convicted in Florida for her part in a financial fraud involving misrepresented infomercials.

1999: Death of Patricia Shiers

In 1999, F. Lee Bailey's fourth wife, Patricia Shiers, passed away.

2001: Disbarment in Florida

In 2001, Bailey was disbarred in Florida for misconduct while defending Claude Louis DuBoc.

2001: Patty Hearst Pardoned

In 2001, Patty Hearst, whom Bailey had defended, was pardoned by President Bill Clinton.

April 11, 2003: Reciprocal disbarment in Massachusetts

On April 11, 2003, F. Lee Bailey faced reciprocal disbarment in Massachusetts following his disbarment in Florida due to his handling of Biochem Pharma shares during the Claude DuBoc case.

2003: Disbarment in Massachusetts

In 2003, Bailey was disbarred in Massachusetts for misconduct while defending Claude Louis DuBoc.

2003: Ordered to pay taxes and penalties

In early 2003, a judge ordered F. Lee Bailey to pay $5 million in taxes and penalties related to income from the Duboc case, although the decision was later reversed.

March 2005: Failed attempt to regain law license

In March 2005, F. Lee Bailey filed to regain his law license in Massachusetts, but was unsuccessful.

2006: McCorkles' Sentences Reduced

In 2006, after two appeals, the McCorkles' sentences were reduced to 18 years from the original 24 years in federal prison.

2009: Move to Yarmouth, Maine

In 2009, F. Lee Bailey moved to Yarmouth, Maine, and became a partner in the Bailey & Elliott consulting business with Debbie Elliott.

2012: Maine Bar Examination

In 2012, F. Lee Bailey passed the Maine bar examination and applied for a law license, which was initially denied by the Maine Board of Bar Examiners.

March 2013: Hearing on law license application

In March 2013, a two-day hearing was held by Supreme Judicial Court Justice Donald G. Alexander to examine Bailey's suitability to practice law.

April 19, 2013: Ruling on law license application

On April 19, 2013, Supreme Judicial Court Justice Donald G. Alexander filed a 57-page ruling stating that Bailey was almost fit to practice law, except for an outstanding tax debt of nearly $2 million. Bailey was allowed to move for reconsideration of the decision if he offered a plan to repay the debt.

June 2013: Motion for reconsideration filed

In June 2013, Bailey's attorney, Peter DeTroy, filed a motion for reconsideration of the decision regarding Bailey's law license application. Justice Alexander granted the motion.

2013: Denied Law License in Maine and Subsequent Appeal

In 2013, The Maine Board of Bar Examiners denied Bailey a law license, a decision Bailey appealed that same year. The appellate court overturned the initial license denial.

April 10, 2014: Maine Supreme Court Reverses Decision

On April 10, 2014, the Maine Supreme Court voted 4-to-2 to side with the Bar Examiners and reverse Justice Alexander's decision, preventing Bailey from practicing law in Maine.

2014: Maine Supreme Judicial Court Upheld License Denial

In 2014, The Maine Supreme Judicial Court upheld the original denial of Bailey's law license after the Board of Examiners appealed the appellate court decision.

2016: Operating consulting business in Maine

In 2016, F. Lee Bailey resided in Maine and operated the Bailey & Elliott consulting business.

2016: Portrayal in "The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story"

In 2016, F. Lee Bailey was portrayed by Nathan Lane in the miniseries "The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story".

2016: Featured in "O.J.: Made in America"

In Ezra Edelman's 2016 documentary "O.J.: Made in America", F. Lee Bailey is featured through interviews and archive footage of the Simpson murder trial.