St. Peter Community Education

Famous Trials

The Congdon Murder Trial

On June 27, 1977 Elisabeth Congdon, heir to the Congdon family fortune, was found brutally murdered along with her night nurse at Glensheen Mansion in Duluth. The investigation would lead to the arrest of Elisabeth’s daughter Marjorie Congdon Caldwell along with her second husband Roger Caldwell. What would appear to be a strong circumstantial evidence case against both would result in the conviction of Roger but the acquittal of Marjorie in one of the most bizarre and yet most famous Minnesota criminal cases ever tried. This lecture will follow the investigations of both Roger and Marjorie, their trials and head scratching outcome of each case. Tue., Feb. 4, 11 a.m., SPCC Rm. 219, Free

Race on Trial: 1925 Murder Trial of Ossian Sweet

In 1925 an African American physician and his brother were tried for murder. Ossian Sweet bought a house in an all-white neighborhood in Detroit, Michigan. A white man was killed after a white mob attacked the Sweets in their home. Defended by Clarence Darrow, this trial of an African American by an all-white jury charged with killing a white man. This case highlights the importance of a fair trial in the justice system and how race plays a role in that process. Tue., Feb. 18, 11 a.m., SPCC Rm. 219, Free
Presented by James Fleming, Chief Public Defender for the Fifth Judicial District and Second Judicial District, Retired