Gerald Winkler Getty

Background

Gerald Winkler Getty was born on June 17, 1913, in Chicago, Illinois, United States. He was a son of Oliver Getty and Pearl Getty, maiden name Winkler. He grew up on the South Side of Chicago.

Education

Gerald Getty studied at Mount Carmel High School. He attended the University of Illinois for his undergraduate work and then received a Juris Doctor from DePaul University in 1937. Gerald Getty was awarded an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Humane Letters from DePaul University in 1970.

Career

Gerald Getty became an Attorney in 1937 and served as a United States Government Attorney until he was appointed in 1945 as a Cook County Assistant Public Defender, then in 1954 as a Chief Public Defender in Cook County for 19 years.

Richard Speck's horrific crimes - the murders of eight student nurses - stunned the Chicago area and created a national media spectacle in 1966. Getty was able to convince a judge that his client could not receive a fair trial in Chicago and had it moved to Peoria. Speck was convicted and was sentenced to death; he was later resentenced to eight consecutive terms of 50 to 150 years each.

Getty's resignation in 1972 came after his operation of the office had been under fire for weeks and the administration of the office had been taken over by then Chief Cook County Judge John S. Boyle. An investigation alleged that he had hired relatives at unusually high salaries, that some assistants did little work and that public funds were wasted. Getty also had resisted an investigation that would have likely resulted in a smaller budget for the office. Getty's son said his father never spoke about this period and can remember only one relative being employed under Getty.

Gerald Getty went into private practice from 1972 to 1982. He became particularly interested in condominium law, an evolving area at the time, his son said. He published a book on the subject titled "Theory of Condominium Law." Gerald Getty also co-authored "Public Defender," a book chronicling his nearly 30 years of defending those involved in gangland wars, sex crimes, and his defense of Speck.

Achievements

• Gerald Getty successfully defended many people accused of crimes. He wrote two books, based on his work experience.

Works

More photos

• book

  • Public Defender 1974

Membership

Member Calumet Country Club, Elks, Moose.

Personality

Quotes from others about the person

• Gerald Getty's son, Michael Getty, said: "He really loved the law. He didn't talk about specific cases much. But he was passionate about making sure that everyone received a fair trial."
  
  One of Gerald Getty's colleagues, Edward J. Egan, a former first assistant state's attorney, remembered Getty as a consummate professional: "He was really a lawyer's lawyer. He was very well respected and cool and collected. Mr. Getty was especially proud when he could return a not-guilty verdict and prevent an innocent person from being sent to prison. He really liked to win."

Interests

• fishing

Connections

Gerald Getty married Helen Brennan on October 2, 1938. She died in 1966). He married Gracia Gibbs on June 3, 1967. He had three children: Michael, Muriel, Marie.

Father:

Oliver Getty

Mother:

Pearl Getty

Son:

Michael Getty

Daughter:

Muriel Getty

Daughter:

Marie Getty

Wife:

Gracia Gibbs

late wife:

Helen Brennan Getty

Brother:

Kenneth Lavon Getty

Brother:

Richard Doreen Getty

colleague:

Edward J. Egan

Edward J. Egan was an American certified public accountant and an attorney.