Cox Argues 1964 Murder Appeal

Archibald C. Cox '34, Williston Professor of Law, yesterday began arguing a case before the United States Supreme Court challenging the legality of search warrants and evidence seizure practices used by New Hampshire officials in obtaining a conviction in the highly publicized 1964 murder of 14-year-old Pamela Mason.

Cox, former Solicitor General of the United States, told the court that the constitutional rights of Edward H. Coolidge Jr. were violated by the admission of evidence from his house and his car.

Cox argued during the hour-long hearing that the search warrant which netted the evidence from Coolidge's car was issued by the chief prosecutor, the then state attorney general William Maynard, instead of "a neutral and detached magistrate." Cox said that the reasons given for the warrant were insufficient to determine probable cause and that the police lacked a warrant when they seized a rifle and some clothing from Coolidge's home.

Alexander J. Kalinski, representing New Hampshire, argued that the original trial court upheld the validity of the procedures and the state Supreme Court sustained them.