Background
MacMahon, Lloyd Francis was born on August 12, 1912 in Elmira, New York, United States. Son of Frank A. and Edith (Newton) MacMacMahon.
MacMahon, Lloyd Francis was born on August 12, 1912 in Elmira, New York, United States. Son of Frank A. and Edith (Newton) MacMacMahon.
Student, Syracuse University, 1932-1934; Bachelor of Arts, Cornell Univercity, 1936; Bachelor of Laws, Cornell Univercity, 1938.
Born in Elmira, New York, MacMahon received an Bachelor of Arts from Cornell University in 1936 and an Bachelor of Laws from Cornell Law School in 1938. He was a United States. Naval Reserve Lieutenant during World World War II, from 1944 to 1945. He was in private practice in New York City from 1942 to 1953.
He was a Chief assistant United States. attorney of Southern District of New York from 1953 to 1955.
He was the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York in 1955. He was in private practice in New York City from 1955 to 1959.
Judge MacMahon served as a chief assistant United States attorney in Manhattan from 1953 to 1957. In 1955 he successfully prosecuted the Mafia boss Frank Costello for income-tax evasion.
He was confirmed by the United States Senate on September 9, 1959, and received his commission on September 10, 1959.
He served as chief judge for the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York from 1980-1982. He assumed senior status on May 31, 1982. MacMahon served in that capacity until his death.
In 1961 Judge MacMahon presided over the conviction of the Bonanno crime family boss Carmine Galante and many other defendants in a drug-trafficking case.
During the trial, the defendants displayed outrageous behavior, throwing objects, shouting obscenities – and eventually, prompting Judge MacMahon to have them handcuffed, shackled and gagged so that the trial could proceed. Many judges still view his action as a precedent that has enabled them to establish control in unruly courtrooms.
Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani refers to Judge MacMahon as his mentor. In Giuliani"s book "Leadership" he sites how on September 11th he found himself asking how Judge MacMahon would handle the crisis.
When former New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner died, Giuliani said that Steinbrenner reminded him of Judge MacMahon, a natural leader and a good manitoba
Served as lieutenant (junior grade) United States Naval Reserve, 1944-1945. Member American Bar Association, Federal Bar Association, Phi Delta Phi.
Married Margaret A. Daly, July 9, 1938. Children: Patricia MacMahon Milano, Kathleen MacMahon Taylor, John, Theresa MacMahon Finneran.