Anatomy of a Murder 50th Anniversary Celebration

LANSING, MI - Friday, September 5, 2008 - When Michigan Supreme Court Justice John D. Voelker, writing as Robert Traver, penned Anatomy of a Murder, it became a national bestseller and then an Academy Award-winning movie featuring Jimmy Stewart playing a character based on Voelker's experience as a defense attorney in an Upper Peninsula murder trial. This fall, organizations around Michigan will come together to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Voelker's book, as well as his legacy as an attorney, author and angler.

A series of free events celebrating Voelker and his literary and legal contributions will take place Friday, Sept. 26 and Saturday, Sept. 27 in downtown Lansing. Additional events are planned in Ishpeming and Marquette. For more information about this celebration and a complete schedule of events, visit www.nmu.edu/Anatomy50.

Festivities in Lansing will begin Friday, Sept. 26 at the Michigan Supreme Court Hall of Justice and Cooley Law School. The Sept. 27 events will run from 9 a.m. to 3:15 p.m at the Library of Michigan, 702 W. Kalamazoo St. The program will include screenings of the films Trout Madness and Anatomy of an Author, along with discussions with the filmmakers; a look at Voelker's courtroom drama Laughing Whitefish; a panel discussion of Anatomy of a Murder and more.

All the events are free and open to the public. Registration is not required. Sept. 27 participants may purchase a boxed lunch for $7.50 that morning at the Library of Michigan. Questions? Call the Library of Michigan at (517) 373-1300 or e-mail librarian@michigan.gov.