Murder or Self Defense?

Murder or
Self Defense?
Domestic Violence on Trial
in Kansas City 1931
Reenactment of State v. Myrtle Bennett
A partnership of UMKC School of Law and the
Jackson County Historical Society
Friday, May 29, 2015
E.E. “Tom” Thompson Courtroom,
UMKC School of Law
Mrs. Myrtle Bennett
CLE credit hours: Missouri 4.0 includes 1.0 ethics/ Kansas credit pending
Cost: $195 attorney / $10 non-attorney includes campus parking permit and a digital
copy of the book “Last Hand at Park Manor” authored by Ralph A. Monaco II
SCHEDULE Complete info at law.umkc.edu/cle
12:30 pm
1 pm
3:50 pm
4:40 pm
Registration
Mock Trial State v. Mrs. Myrtle Bennett
Ethics panel discussion
Adjourn
Mock Trial Cast:
Ralph A. Monaco, II, Esq. ............................. Narrator: George Cauthen KC Journal Post
Hon. John M. Torrence ....................................................... The Judge: Ralph S. Latshaw
Chief Jim Lynch ................................................ The Deputy Sheriff: Deputy James White
Hon. Michael D. Manners ............................................ Defense Attorney: James A. Reed
Ken B. McClain, Esq. ......................................... Defense Attorney: J. Francis O’Sullivan
Hon. Jack Grate ................................................................... County Prosecutor: Jim Page
Ben F. Mann, Esq. .............................................................. Asst. Prosecutor: John V. Hill
R. Scott Smith, Esq. ................................................ Asst. Prosecutor: Michael W. O’Hern
Paul D. Anderson, Esq. ......................................... State’s 1st Witnesses: Charles Hofman
Hon. Michael McDonough ............................. State’s KCPD Patrolman: G. R. Woodman
Michael E. Monaco, MD................................... State’s Deputy Coroner: Dr. Stanley Hall
Ms. Linda Tarantino .................. States KCPD Female Officer: Mrs. Frances Trowbridge
Ms. Peggy Lukken ....................................................... Defendant: Mrs. Myrtle A. Bennett
Ms. Gloria Smith ................................................. Defendant’s Mother: Mrs. Alice Adkins
Aaron J. Racine, Esq. ... Defense Character Witness: Judge Abner McGhee (Little Rock)
Mr. David Bears .............................Defense Witness (wall paper hanger): Mr. Guy Baker
Mr. Gregg Higginbotham .............................. Defense gun expert: Mr. Edward Hichman
Mr. Keith Fangman ............. Non-testifying Prosecution Witness rebuttal: Mr. Byrd Rice
UMKC SCHOOL OF LAW
500 E. 52ND STREET
KANSAS CITY, MO 64110
(816) 235-1644 PHONE
(816) 235-5276 FAX
WWW.LAW.UMKC.EDU
4 WAYS TO PRE-REGISTER:
1. Online at law.umkc.edu/cle
2. Mail form to UMKC CLE,
4825 Troost, Suite 211,
Kansas City, MO 64110.
3. Phone (816) 235-1648
4. Fax (816) 235-6552
Course materials will be
provided in electronic format
only and are accessible with
your laptop, tablet or other
mobile device during the event.
Parking: On campus parking
information and passes will be
mailed to individuals who are
registered at least 72 hours in
advance.
Substitutions for paid
registrations are accepted.
No shows will not receive a
refund or credit voucher. No
shows requesting refunds due to
emergency or hardship must be
received in writing no more than
30 days after the event date.
Special accommodations?
Call (816) 235-1648 or email
UMKCCLE@UMKC.EDU
Law.umkc.edu/cle
Murder or Self Defense?
Domestic Violence on Trial in Kansas City 1931
Friday, May 29, 2015
UMKC School of Law, Kansas City, Mo.
Registration 12:30 PM • Program 1 – 4:40 PM
Credit: Mo. 4.0 hours includes 1.0 ethics / Kansas pending
Socialites Mr. and Mrs. John G. Bennett and their neighbors and closest friends Mr.
and Mrs. Charles F. Hofman were engaged in a “friendly” game of partnership
contract bridge during the late evening hours of Sunday, September 29, 1929. Soon,
the world of these four individuals would irreparably crash as would the stock
market on “Black Tuesday” thirty days later. The Bennett’s were ahead on points
and assured of victory until Mr. Bennett misread the game and played the wrong
hand. It was a bid of four spades, doubled, and lost by two tricks that precipitated
an argument between the Bennett bridge partners. Mrs. Bennett, an expert bridge
player, promptly decreed that her husband was nothing more than a “bum bridge
player.” With those words, John G. Bennett abruptly erupted into rage, upsetting
the card table and slapping his wife several times. The end was climatic—four shots
rang-out; two striking John, who mortally collapsed and died holding the hand of
his slayer—his wife, Mrs. Myrtle Bennett.
Mrs. Myrtle Bennett
*PRINT LEGIBLY**
MURDER OR SELF DEFENSE? FRIDAY, MAY 29, 2015 - EVENT CODE K8502
44 WAYS TO PRE-REGISTER:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Online at law.umkc.edu/cle;
Mail completed form with payment to UMKC CLE, 4825 Troost Ave., Suite 211, Kansas City, MO 64110;
Phone (816) 235-1648; or
Fax (816) 235-6552
Fee: $195 attorney / $10 non-attorney includes campus parking permit and a digital copy of “Last Hand at Park
Manor” authored by Ralph A. Monaco II
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