Robert True Donnelly Explained

Robert True Donnelly
Office:Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Missouri
Termstart:July 1, 1973
Termend:June 30, 1975
Successor:Robert E. Seiler
Termstart2:July 1, 1981
Termend2:June 30, 1983
Predecessor2:John E. Bardgett
Successor2:Albert L. Rendlen
Office3:Judge of the Supreme Court of Missouri
Termstart3:September 7, 1965
Termend3:1988
Appointer3:Warren E. Hearnes
Successor3:Ann K. Covington
Birth Date:31 August 1924
Birth Place:Lebanon, Missouri[1]
Death Place:Jefferson City, Missouri
Spouse:Wanda Sue Oates
Alma Mater:University of Missouri School of Law
University of Missouri
University of Tulsa

Robert True Donnelly (August 31, 1924 – June 16, 1999) was a judge on the Missouri Supreme Court from 1965 until 1988, and the chief justice of that same court twice, from 1973 to 1975 and again from 1981 to 1983. He was educated at the public schools of Tulsa, Oklahoma and also did graduate work at the University of Tulsa.[2] During his 23 years on the court, he authored 546 opinions.[3] While Chief Justice, he drew headlines by criticizing the Supreme Court of the United States for interpreting the U.S. Constitution beyond what the Founding Fathers "had envisioned."[4] [5] He also claimed that modern education was failing because it didn't "teach religious and moral values." He once called the Miranda Rule, "an example of tipping the balance in favor of the accused."[6]

Sources

  1. Official Manual of Missouri, 1985-1986
  2. Book: James C. Kirkpatrick . Official Manual State of Missouri 1975-1976 . Von Hoffmann Press, Inc. . Jefferson City, Missouri . 202.
  3. "Robert Donnelly, served on Missouri top court." Plain Dealer, page 7B. June 22, 1999.
  4. Terry Ganey, "Robert T. Donnelly, former Missouri Chief Justice." St. Louis Post-Dispatch, page D12. June 18, 1999.
  5. Robert T. Donnelly, "The Supreme Court as arbiter of morals." St. Louis Post-Dispatch, page 3B. June 2, 1996.
  6. "Our Rights in Court: How They've Changed." U.S. News & World Report, page 40. November 1, 1982.