MOMENTS IN HISTORY…Bill Kurtis

Bill Kurtis, a Kansas native was interviewed by Jim McLean at Washburn University School of Law as one of its esteemed graduates, the same Bill Kurtis who in 1966 uttered that famous tornado warning to the citizens of Topeka, “For God’s sake, take cover!” He was a student at that time and a part-time member of the WIBW news team.

Kurtis didn’t end up practicing law. He instead used his law degree to inform his coverage of several epic trials as a reporter for WBBM in Chicago and later CBS News. His first trial was that of Richard Speck, mass murderer of 8 nurses in Chicago.

The first clip, “Life Changing Experience” is about the tornado coverage.

The second clip is about the Richard Speck trial and the revelation that Speck never received his Miranda warning.  Speck had murdered 8 nurses in Chicago.  About the same time, the Supreme Court was reviewing two cases that had great impact on the Speck trial.  Kurtis’ legal training allowed him to recognize the lack of a Miranda type warning could endanger the case.