DEFENSE STATEMENT

In short, the defense team in this trial believed that William “Bill” Powell was being railroaded by the State of Tennessee.

This man,

William “Bill” Powell

  • 41 years old
  • Well known and respected in the community
  • Vanderbilt Football hero
  • Member of the Vandy Honors Council
  • Member of the US Naval Reserve
  • Successful businessman

A man who, on May 24, 1968, went on a ride with his friend and business partner Haynie Gourley and was robbed and shot. He watched his friend get murdered. Drove back to the dealership and fell to the ground crying and screaming “get the Doctor.” During and after Mr. Powell’s hospitalization he cooperated with the police department-he answered questions, retraced his route, showed up to view photographs and tried to pick the killer. Yes, he picked the wrong person, his uncertainties were real. As he stated, nothing like this had ever happened to him before.

While he was in the hospital, Powell called a familiar person to help him…

Cecil Branstetter-Powell’s personal attorney, was in his corner

  • Frustrated with the way the State was trying to build up a case that they didn’t have
  • Veteran Defense lawyer, well known in the community
  • Despite this being his first murder defense trial, knew prosecution was coming for Bill Powell because of pressure from the Gourley family, their inability to find the killer, and the intense media pressure
  • Recognized that although extremely experienced, needed some help
  • Tried to block all states attempts at utilizing the prowess of John J. Hooker, Sr. by filing a motion to keep Hooker from being hired as a special prosecutor. When this motion was denied, Branstetter used a weapon of his own:

Jack Norman, Sr.-legal titan, dream match with Hooker

  • Blunt
  • Powerful speaking ability
  • Master psychologist
  • Studied the jurors
  • Loved cigars, put a piece of metal to keep smoke and ash from dropping. Strategic to keep the jurors focused on him and not what the State was saying.
  • Sound of his voice was powerful
  • Man who fought for the underdog

With Powell and his two lawyers known for helping those in need and with just over 3 months to prepare, the Defense strategy was simple:

  • Use Norman’s expertise to pick a great jury
  • Point out all proof circumstantial
  • Reasonable Doubt
  • Underdog strategy: take advantage of the arrogance of the prosecution; when they try to establish Powell as greedy and power hungry use all their witnesses as character witnesses for the defense
  • And let “Big Bill” Powell speak for himself