American History

The Tate-LaBianca murders happened just as I turned one month old, and caused my mom to stop reading the news.

Fast-forward about 17 years and I became fascinated with the case. So much so that I chose law as my profession because I admired Vincent Bugliosi so much (although I handle business transactions - criminal or family law would absolutely break me as I am far too sensitive). Oddly, I ended up years later working at the same office of the firm where his old boss, Evelle Younger, became a named partner after he left the L.A. District Attorney's office.

I even got the chance to correspond with Vince by old-fashioned snail mail about twenty years ago! He sent me a five-page long handwritten letter in response to a birthday card that I just randomly sent him because I wanted him to know that he had inspired someone out there in the wide world as to their career path (and it was also to thank him for his courage in publishing the books he wrote about the Supreme Court and George W. Bush). Later, I got to meet him in person at a book signing after he published his book on JFK, and although I had to tell him I disagreed with its basic premise, it was a respectful and memorable conversation.

He's now buried in the same cemetery as my life partner, so I stop by his grave once in a while to bring him flowers.