Robert Alton Harris Case, 1980-1993
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Scope and Contents
This collection of Judge Alarcón's papers consists chiefly of case files and bench books spanning over forty years of his career in various government and judicial positions. Accompanying the official court records are newspaper clippings and Alarcón's research notes on specific cases such as the Robert Alton Harris case and the L. Ewing Scott case-- two high-profile murder cases. The scrapbooks in the collection also contain some of Alarcón's childhood ephemera as well as career memorabilia and materials related to his service during World War II.
Dates
- Creation: 1980-1993
Creator
- From the Collection: Alarcón , Arthur L. (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
Judge Alarcón's case files and case-related materials have a five-year blanket restriction. They will be available June 25, 2020. The non-case files are open for access.
Historical Background
Arguably Arthur Alarcón’s most high-profile case as a court of appeals judge was that of Robert Alton Harris (January 15, 1953-April 21, 1992). Harris was an American criminal and murderer who was executed in San Quentin State Prison in 1992 in connection with the murders of two teenage boys in San Diego. His execution was the first in the state of California since 1967.
Arthur Alarcón served as a 9th Circuit Court of Appeals panel judge to consider Harris's habeas petitions. After the fourth stay of execution, the U.S. Supreme Court stated "No further stays of Robert Alton Harris's execution shall be entered by the Federal courts except upon order of this Cour." Harris died in the gas chamber at San Quentin on April 21, 1992.
Extent
From the Collection: 103 Linear Feet (150 boxes)
Language of Materials
From the Collection: English
Repository Details
Part of the USC Libraries Special Collections Repository
Doheny Memorial Library 206
3550 Trousdale Parkway
Los Angeles California 90089-0189 United States
specol@usc.edu