Estate Planning

Morrison Pardoned Posthumously

By Hull and Hull LLP

Jim Morrison, lead singer of the Doors, died nearly 40 years ago in Paris at the young age of 27. His musical legacy and his infamy have remained relevant since that time so much so that Governor Charlie Crist of Florida, recently advocated on Morrison's behalf. 

Known for outrageous behaviour, the singer was convicted of indecent exposure in Florida in 1970; a conviction which was under appeal at the time of his death [The original coverage of the incident from Rolling Stone magazine can be found here]. Governor Crist asked for a pardon for Morrison, which was granted last week and was reported by CBS here. After reviewing the matter and the evidence before them, the Clemency Board unanimously granted the pardon. Although the matter had been appealed before his death, the Clemency Board was quick to point out that they would not be able to retry the case, but that the pardon forgave the singer. As a technicality, a full pardon is meant to restore the rights of a convicted person and does not suggest that the crime was not committed.

Patricia Kennealy Morrison, who married Morrison in a Celtic Pagan ceremony, but who never filed the papers with the appropriate government agency, has indicated displeasure with this result. Kennealy Morrison has stated that 'He [Morrison] felt and he expressed to me on numerous occasions that he had been made a scapegoat of the counterculture movement.' His surviving band mates support the pardon.

The Doors released 14 albums that sold more than a million copies each, securing their place in music history. Whatever the feeling in respect of the pardon, Jim Morrison's musical legacy is certain to live on. 

Thanks for reading,

Nadia M. Harasymowycz - Click here for more information on Nadia Harasymowycz.

Full post as published by Toronto Estate Law Blog on December 14, 2010 (boomark / email).