Charles Garry facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Charles Garry
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| Born |
Charles Garabedian
March 17, 1909 |
| Died | August 16, 1991 (aged 82) Berkeley, California, U.S.
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| Known for | Lawyer in the Peoples Temple of Jonestown Legal counsel for the Black Panther Party |
Charles R. Garry (born March 17, 1909 – died August 16, 1991) was an American lawyer. He was known for defending people involved in important political cases during the 1960s and 1970s. He represented Huey P. Newton from the Black Panther Party and also worked for the Peoples Temple during the sad events in Jonestown in 1978.
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Early Life and Becoming a Lawyer
Charles Garry was born in Bridgewater, Massachusetts. His parents were from Armenia and had come to the U.S. to escape violence in their home country. Charles grew up on a farm in California. His family's original name was Garabedian.
He worked hard in a cleaning shop at night to pay for law school. He earned his law degree without going to college first. Charles Garry believed strongly in helping workers and people who were struggling. He became known as a lawyer who always fought for those who needed a voice. He always told his clients to be completely honest with him.
In 1948, Charles Garry was asked to speak before a group called the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC). This group questioned people about their beliefs. Garry told them he was a Christian and believed in fairness for everyone. He famously told them that his beliefs were his own business.
Working with the Black Panthers
In 1968, the Black Panther Party asked Charles Garry to be their main lawyer. He defended Huey P. Newton, a leader of the Black Panthers, in a serious legal case. Newton was found guilty of a less serious charge. Later, Garry also defended another Black Panther leader, Bobby Seale.
Charles Garry was known for being very dramatic and powerful in the courtroom. He was a strong questioner. In 1969, he also defended a group called the "Oakland Seven." These were activists from the San Francisco Bay Area who were against the Vietnam War.
Representing the Peoples Temple
In 1977, Charles Garry began representing the Peoples Temple. This was a community led by Jim Jones. Garry felt that the Temple's ideas about a fair society were similar to his own. He believed that the community they built in Jonestown was like a "paradise."
At first, Garry thought that government groups were trying to harm the Peoples Temple. But after looking into it more, he changed his mind. He realized there wasn't much government interest, let alone a plan against them.
Garry traveled to Jonestown in November 1978 with Congressman Leo Ryan and his group. On November 18, 1978, Garry and another lawyer, Mark Lane, were able to escape danger at Jonestown. Sadly, that day, many people died in Jonestown and Georgetown. Five people, including Congressman Ryan, were also killed at a nearby airstrip. Congressman Ryan was the only U.S. congressman ever killed while doing his job.
Later Years
After the Jonestown events, Charles Garry continued to work as a lawyer. He served as the president of California Attorneys for Criminal Justice in 1979. Charles Garry passed away in August 1991, at the age of 82, in Berkeley, California.
