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Bernstein (David) papers
LSC.2126
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Contributing Institution:
UCLA Library Special Collections
Title: David Bernstein papers
Creator:
Bernstein, David L.
source:
Bernstein, David L.
Identifier/Call Number: LSC.2126
Physical Description:
10.4 linear feet
(24 boxes and 1 carton)
Date (inclusive): 1964-1997
Abstract: From 1979 to 1997, David Bernstein served as investigator and legal researcher for the Elmer "Geronimo" Pratt defense team.
The collection consists of research, numerous court documents, transcripts, and Freedom of Information materials that were
accrued during the various court hearings. The bulk of the materials are facsimiles of original documents.
Physical Location: Stored off-site. All requests to access special collections material must be made in advance using the request button located
on this page.
Language of Material: Materials are in English.
Open for research. All requests to access special collections materials must be made in advance using the request button located
on this page.
Restrictions on Use and Reproduction
Property rights to the objects belong to UCLA Library Special Collections. All other rights, including copyright, are retained
by the creators and their heirs. It is the responsibility of the researcher to determine who holds the copyright and pursue
the copyright owner or his or her heir for permission to publish where The UC Regents do not hold the copyright.
Provenance/Source of Acquisition
Gift of David Bernstein, 2012.
UCLA Catalog Record ID:
9974964793606533
[Identification of item], David Bernstein Papers (Collection 2126). UCLA Library Special Collections, Charles E. Young Research
Library, University of California, Los Angeles.
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David L. Bernstein was born in Atlanta, Georgia, on January 26, 1948; he moved to Los Angeles at a young age. He graduated
from the University of California at Berkeley in 1971 and earned a JD from the University of La Verne College of Law in 1995.
After working for several years with environmental cleanup in Northern California, he returned to Los Angeles in the late
1970's and took a job as law clerk/investigator in the Law Offices of Goldin and Gordon. One of the partners, Martha Goldin,
had served as appellate counsel for former Black Panther Elmer Geronimo Pratt. In 1979 Bernstein was assigned to review and
index criminal appellate briefs and learned that there were ongoing habeas corpus proceedings seeking to overturn Pratt's
murder conviction, as well as litigation under the Freedom of Information Act to ascertain if the FBI's Counter Intelligence
Program had any role in the conviction. With the approval from Goldin and Gordon, Bernstein contacted Pratt's main counsel,
Stuart Hanlon and offered to join the efforts being made on Pratt's behalf.
From 1979 to 1997, Bernstein served as investigator and legal researcher for the Pratt defense team. In May of 1997, Pratt's
conviction was overturned and he was released after serving nearly 27 years in prison.
The collection consists of files amassed by lawyer David L. Bernstein documenting his involvement pertaining to the court
case of People v. Pratt (former Black Panther Leader Elmer "Geronimo" Pratt) and proceedings seeking to overturn Pratt's
murder conviction, as well as litigation to ascertain if the FBI's Counter Intelligence Program had any role in the conviction.
Includes research, numerous court documents, transcripts, and Freedom of Information materials that were accrued during the
various court hearings. The bulk of the materials are facsimiles of original documents.
The collection is arranged in a loose chronological order.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Pratt , Elmer Geronimo -- Trials, litigation, etc.
Bernstein, David L.