03.05
On March 5, 1969, a warrant was issued in Dade County, Florida for the arrest of Jim Morrison, lead singer of The Doors. Morrison was charged with a single felony count and three misdemeanors for his stage antics at a Miami concert a few days earlier. When Morrison first got word of the charges for lewd and lascivious behavior, indecent exposure, profanity, and drunkenness, he thought it was a practical joke. But he soon learned that Miami authorities were entirely serious. In fact, they later added an additional charge, simulated oral copulation on guitarist Robbie Krieger during the concert. The trial did not begin until September 1970, when the prosecution brought out witnesses who claimed to be shocked at the scene they had witnessed at the concert. However, virtually every witness was somehow connected to the police or the district attorney’s office. There was some question as to whether he had actually exposed himself on stage. But there was little doubt that he was very drunk. Morrison turned down a plea bargain arrangement where the band would play a free concert in Miami. This turned out to be a mistake as he was convicted and sentenced to six months in prison and a $500 fine. Morrison died in Paris before he could serve the sentence. In December 2010, Morrison received a posthumous pardon by the state of Florida, thanks in part to the efforts of outgoing governor Charlie Crist, who cited lingering doubts about the singer’s actions.
Michael Thomas Barry is a columnist for www.crimemagazine.com and is the author of numerous books that include Murder and Mayhem 52 Crimes that Shocked Early California, 1849-1949.
