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testimony. Expert witnesses included handwriting expert Albert Osborn, who testified that
Hauptmann had written the ransom notes, and wood expert Arthur Koehler, who testified that the wood used to construct the ladder found at the scene of the kidnapping came from Hauptmann's attic. Wilentz's final
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The trial began on
January 2, 1935, with Wilentz prosecuting. Press descriptions of the trial often focused on his sharp tongue and natty attire. Wilentz had no previous experience in trying criminal cases, but he was certain he could secure the conviction and execution of Hauptmann, whom he called
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The conviction was questioned many times in subsequent years, but
Wilentz never wavered in his assertion that Hauptmann was guilty. In 1981 Hauptmann's widow, Anna, unsuccessfully sought to overturn the guilty verdict, requesting $ 100 million in damages from Wilentz and the state, claiming false
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degree in 1917. He was admitted to the New Jersey Bar in 1919. In the same year he married Lena
Goldman (December 25, 1898 – June 10, 1991) and they settled in Perth Amboy. Wilentz entered private practice there and also became involved in local Democratic politics.
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In the 1950s, Wilentz grew increasingly influential behind the scenes as a confidante of
Democratic governors and one of a small number of kingmakers who selected Democratic nominees for statewide office. As a member of the
358:, a German carpenter, was not made until September 19, 1934. Over $ 14,000 in ransom money was found in Hauptmann's garage, and wood found in his home was said to match the ladder used in the kidnapping.
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After
Wilentz's effective presentation of evidence, the jury returned a guilty verdict and Hauptmann was sentenced to death. His appeals were rejected, despite a temporary reprieve from Governor
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Wilentz maintained a private practice with
Wilentz, Goldman & Spitzer, the firm he founded in Perth Amboy in 1950. His sons, Warren and Robert, joined him in the family firm.
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star witness was John F. Condon, Lindbergh's go-between for the delivery of the ransom money, who testified that he had met
Hauptmann and given the money to him.
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mayoral election of 1949, Wilentz consolidated his power, joining with Kenny in founding the
National Democratic Club of New Jersey to combat Hague's influence.
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After the
Lindbergh trial, Wilentz leveraged his fame to exert greater control within the state Democratic Party. In the 1940s his
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in 1912. Upon graduation he worked at the Perth Amboy Evening News, eventually becoming sports editor (replacing future
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on March 1, 1932. The child's body was found two months later a few miles from the Lindberghs' home, but the arrest of
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263:) on December 21, 1894. The following year he emigrated with his parents to the United States, settling in
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In 1928 he was appointed City Attorney of Perth Amboy, and was elected Democratic chairman for
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he was a powerful voice in the selection of candidates for president and vice-president.
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on February 5, 1934. The appointment was at the behest of Democratic political boss
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589:"David Wilentz, 93, the Prosecutor In Lindbergh Kidnapping, Is Dead"
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Emigrants from the Russian Empire to the United States
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from 1934 to 1944. In 1935 he successfully prosecuted
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remained a member until 1979, when he was appointed
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He commuted to Manhattan to attend night classes at
365:Wilentz built his case against Hauptmann on mostly
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635:Biographical information for David T. Wilentz
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350:, had been abducted from the family home in
46:February 4, 1934 – February 4, 1944
750:United States Army personnel of World War I
207:(December 21, 1894 – July 6, 1988) was the
293:and receiving an honorable discharge as a
735:American people of Latvian-Jewish descent
464:. David Wilentz's daughter Norma married
342:Charles A. Lindbergh, Jr., infant son of
705:Politicians from Perth Amboy, New Jersey
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362:"Public Enemy Number One of the World."
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745:20th-century American politicians
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460:in 1966, losing to the incumbent
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546:Historical records archived on
505:List of Jewish American jurists
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700:Perth Amboy High School alumni
662:Attorney General of New Jersey
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535:Attorney General of New Jersey
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231:from 1979 to 1996, as well as
209:Attorney General of New Jersey
34:Attorney General of New Jersey
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476:. Norma and Leon's daughter,
435:Democratic National Committee
710:New Jersey attorneys general
219:trial. He was the father of
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755:United States Army officers
740:Politicians from Daugavpils
560:Social Security Death Index
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367:circumstantial evidence
269:Perth Amboy High School
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127:Long Branch, New Jersey
425:defeated Hague in the
273:Governor of New Jersey
205:David Theodore Wilentz
478:Constance H. Williams
348:Anne Morrow Lindbergh
715:Lindbergh kidnapping
482:state representative
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338:Lindbergh kidnapping
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617:2008-03-19 at the
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320:appointed Wilentz
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468:, founder of the
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122:(1988-07-06)
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74:Succeeded by
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695:1988 deaths
690:1894 births
552:World War I
427:Jersey City
419:Frank Hague
326:Frank Hague
283:World War I
62:Preceded by
684:Categories
511:References
371:eyewitness
295:lieutenant
257:Daugavpils
235:, wife of
233:Norma Hess
183:Alma mater
138:Democratic
100:1894-12-21
466:Leon Hess
237:Leon Hess
42:In office
615:Archived
499:See also
421:. After
167:Children
51:Governor
448:of the
397:of the
291:private
227:of the
215:in the
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261:Latvia
176:Warren
172:Robert
144:Spouse
129:, U.S.
107:Dvinsk
637:from
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255:(now
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