Farmer, Millard

Scope and Contents Interviewed by Diane Fowlkes. Farmer details his childhood recollections of attending the John Wallace trial of 1948 (made familiar by Margaret Anne Barnes’ book Murder in Coweta County) in which the testimony of two African Americans led to the conviction of a white man. He mentions subsequent insights given to him by those involved in the trial. He describes the moonshine industry in Meriwether and Coweta counties and local law enforcement’s acquiescence to it. He reveals how sheriffs were...

Scope and Contents Interviewed by Diane Fowlkes. Farmer further explains Team Defense’s vision that having adequate financial resources, equal justice, and skilled social scientists and lawyers could convince a jury that the death penalty was inappropriate. He later describes their growing understanding that a segment of the community also needed to be in their favor. He explains the importance of educating the community about the death penalty in advance of trial. He further describes the Dawson Five case and...

Scope and Contents Interviewed by Diane Fowlkes. Farmer explains how unexpected events often changed the Team Defense strategy. He describes growing up in a segregated and sexist society. He recounts hiring Amanda Potterfield as an intern and being impressed by her interpersonal skills in dealing with all types of people. He notes how a judge could better understand a female lawyer’s explanation of the rights of women and children. He describes conducting seminars on how to file motions outside the normal...

Scope and Contents Interviewed by Diane Fowlkes. Farmer describes how he believed his early success in defense of bootleggers was due to his legal prowess, but later discovered it was only because there were usually enough of the defendant’s customers and friends on the jury. He details bootlegging industry operations in Meriwether County and points out how the bootlegging community voted with the church to keep the county dry, but did so to avoid having to compete with taxed liquor. He describes the respect...

Scope and Contents Interviewed by Peter Roberts. Farmer provides his recollections of Margie Hames’ early career and contributions to the broader civil rights movement. He illustrates the support Father Austin Ford provided by enlisting Jean Young for the Team Defense board, having Bill Hames defend Farmer in his suit with Morris Dees, and providing advice in the John Spenkelink defense. He details the behind the scenes activities to stay the execution of Spenkelink. Included are his interactions with Judge...

Scope and Contents Interviewed by Peter Roberts. Farmer recalls the standard procedure and schedule for criminal cases at the time he began practicing law. He expresses his regrets about winning an acquittal for an African American prowler by exploiting the sentiment and racial stereotypes of the jury. He explains the importance of having extensive knowledge about the jury. He notes that his father’s fair treatment of African Americans influenced him in seeking fairness for them in the courts. He mentions his...

Abstract:

Attorney Millard Farmer has fought against the death penalty since the 1960s. His papers primarily comprise legal files and records, the papers include correspondence, photographs, sound recordings, and printed material such as reports, articles, and clippings.