Dan White: A History Of Violence And Corruption

Who was Dan White? Dan White was an American politician who assassinated San Francisco Mayor George Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk on November 27, 1978. White was convicted of voluntary manslaughter in 1979, a verdict that sparked the White Night riots in San Francisco.

White was born in San Francisco in 1946. He served in the U.S. Army and worked as a firefighter before entering politics. White was elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1977. He was a conservative Democrat who opposed many of Moscone's and Milk's policies.

On November 27, 1978, White resigned from the Board of Supervisors. He went to City Hall and shot Moscone and Milk to death. White was convicted of voluntary manslaughter in 1979. He served five years in prison and was released in 1984. White died in 1985 of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Key Points of Dan White

White's assassination of Moscone and Milk was a major event in San Francisco history. It led to the White Night riots and had a lasting impact on the city's politics. White's trial and conviction were also controversial, and his death in 1985 remains a mystery.

White's Motives

White's motives for assassinating Moscone and Milk are complex. He was a conservative Democrat who opposed many of their policies. He was also angry that Moscone had appointed Milk to the Board of Supervisors. White felt that Milk was a threat to his political career.

The Assassination

On November 27, 1978, White resigned from the Board of Supervisors. He went to City Hall and shot Moscone and Milk to death. White then fled the scene, but he was later arrested.

The Trial

White's trial was controversial. The prosecution argued that White had murdered Moscone and Milk in cold blood. The defense argued that White was guilty of voluntary manslaughter, not murder. The jury agreed with the defense, and White was convicted of voluntary manslaughter.

The White Night Riots

White's conviction sparked the White Night riots in San Francisco. Thousands of people took to the streets to protest the verdict. The riots lasted for three days and caused extensive damage to the city.

White's Death

White was released from prison in 1984. He moved back to San Francisco, where he worked as a salesman. In 1985, White died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Dan White

Dan White was an American politician who assassinated San Francisco Mayor George Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk on November 27, 1978.

• Motive: Anger over Moscone's appointment of Milk to the Board of Supervisors
• Method: Shot Moscone and Milk to death at City Hall
• Conviction: Voluntary manslaughter, leading to the White Night riots
• Sentence: Five years in prison, released in 1984
• Death: Self-inflicted gunshot wound in 1985
• Legacy: His assassination remains a controversial event in San Francisco history
• Impact: Sparked the White Night riots and had a lasting impact on San Francisco politics

Dan White's assassination of Moscone and Milk was a major event in San Francisco history. It led to the White Night riots and had a lasting impact on the city's politics. White's trial and conviction were also controversial, and his death in 1985 remains a mystery. The seven key aspects above provide a comprehensive overview of this complex and tragic event.

Motive

Dan White's anger over Moscone's appointment of Milk to the Board of Supervisors was a major factor in his decision to assassinate both men. White felt that Milk was a threat to his political career, and he was angry that Moscone had appointed him to the Board without consulting him.

• Political rivalry: White and Milk were both ambitious politicians with very different views on San Francisco's future. White was a conservative Democrat, while Milk was a gay rights activist and a member of the left-wing Harvey Milk Democratic Club. White felt that Milk's appointment to the Board of Supervisors would give the left too much power in the city, and he was determined to stop it.
• Personal animosity: White and Milk had a long history of personal animosity. White had made homophobic remarks about Milk in the past, and Milk had accused White of corruption. The two men had also clashed over a number of policy issues, including the proposed construction of a new high-rise building in the Castro district.
• Feeling of betrayal: White felt betrayed by Moscone, who he had considered a friend and mentor. When Moscone appointed Milk to the Board of Supervisors, White felt that Moscone had chosen Milk over him.

White's anger over Moscone's appointment of Milk to the Board of Supervisors was a major factor in his decision to assassinate both men. White felt that Milk was a threat to his political career, and he was angry that Moscone had appointed him to the Board without consulting him.

Method

On November 27, 1978, Dan White went to San Francisco City Hall and shot Mayor George Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk to death. This act of violence was the culmination of months of anger and resentment on White's part, and it had a profound impact on San Francisco politics.

• Political motivation: White's assassination of Moscone and Milk was politically motivated. He was angry that Moscone had appointed Milk to the Board of Supervisors, and he felt that Milk was a threat to his own political career.
• Personal animosity: White also had personal animosity towards Milk. Milk was a gay rights activist, and White had made homophobic remarks about him in the past.
• Planning and preparation: White planned and prepared for the assassinations in advance. He purchased a gun and waited for an opportunity to kill Moscone and Milk.
• The murders: On the day of the murders, White went to City Hall and shot Moscone and Milk to death. He then fled the scene, but he was later arrested.

White's assassination of Moscone and Milk was a major event in San Francisco history. It led to the White Night riots and had a lasting impact on the city's politics. White's trial and conviction were also controversial, and his death in 1985 remains a mystery.

Conviction

Dan White's conviction for voluntary manslaughter, rather than murder, sparked the White Night riots in San Francisco. His trial was highly controversial, and the verdict was widely seen as a miscarriage of justice.

• Prosecutorial misconduct: The prosecution's case was weakened by allegations of misconduct, including the suppression of evidence and the intimidation of witnesses. This led many to believe that White did not receive a fair trial.
• Jury nullification: Some believe that the jury acquitted White of murder because they did not believe that he intended to kill Moscone and Milk. This is known as jury nullification, and it is a controversial practice that has been used in a number of high-profile cases.
• Public outrage: The verdict in White's trial sparked outrage in the San Francisco community. Many people felt that White had gotten away with murder, and they took to the streets to protest. The White Night riots were a three-day period of violence and destruction that caused extensive damage to the city.
• Legacy of the White Night riots: The White Night riots had a lasting impact on San Francisco politics. They led to the resignation of Mayor Dianne Feinstein and the election of Harvey Milk's successor, Harry Britt. The riots also raised awareness of the issue of police brutality, and they helped to galvanize the gay rights movement.

Dan White's conviction for voluntary manslaughter was a major event in San Francisco history. It led to the White Night riots and had a lasting impact on the city's politics. The case remains controversial today, and it is a reminder of the importance of ensuring that all defendants receive a fair trial.

Sentence

Dan White was sentenced to five years in prison for the voluntary manslaughter of Mayor George Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk. He was released in 1984 after serving two years of his sentence.

• Length of sentence: White's sentence was relatively short for the crime of voluntary manslaughter. This was due in part to the fact that the jury did not believe that he intended to kill Moscone and Milk.
• Reasons for release: White was released from prison early due to good behavior. He had also participated in a number of rehabilitation programs while in prison.
• Public reaction: White's early release was met with outrage by many in the San Francisco community. They felt that he had not been punished enough for his crimes.
• Impact on White's life: White's release from prison was a major turning point in his life. He went on to become a successful businessman and author.

Dan White's sentence and early release remain controversial today. Some people believe that he got away with murder, while others believe that he was treated fairly by the justice system.

Death

Dan White's death by suicide in 1985 was a tragic end to a life that had been marked by both triumph and tragedy. White had assassinated San Francisco Mayor George Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk in 1978, and his subsequent trial and conviction had been highly controversial. After his release from prison in 1984, White struggled to adjust to life outside of prison and eventually took his own life.

• Mental health issues: White had a history of mental health issues, including depression and anxiety. These issues may have contributed to his decision to take his own life.
• Substance abuse: White also struggled with substance abuse, which may have exacerbated his mental health issues.
• Isolation: White felt isolated and alone after his release from prison. He had lost his job, his friends, and his family. This isolation may have contributed to his decision to take his own life.
• Legacy: White's death by suicide is a reminder of the tragic consequences of violence. It is also a reminder of the importance of providing support to those who are struggling with mental health issues and substance abuse.

Dan White's death by suicide is a complex and tragic event. It is a reminder of the importance of mental health and the devastating impact that violence can have on individuals and communities.

Legacy

Dan White's assassination of Mayor George Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk remains a controversial event in San Francisco history. The murders were a major turning point in the city's politics, and they continue to be debated today.

There are several reasons why White's assassination remains controversial. First, the murders were politically motivated. White was a conservative Democrat who opposed many of Moscone's and Milk's policies. He felt that Milk was a threat to his political career, and he was angry that Moscone had appointed him to the Board of Supervisors. Second, the murders were particularly brutal. White shot Moscone and Milk multiple times at close range. Third, White's trial and conviction were highly controversial. The prosecution argued that White had murdered Moscone and Milk in cold blood. The defense argued that White was guilty of voluntary manslaughter, not murder. The jury agreed with the defense, and White was convicted of voluntary manslaughter. This verdict sparked the White Night riots, which caused extensive damage to the city.

The legacy of Dan White's assassination is complex and multifaceted. The murders were a major tragedy for San Francisco, and they continue to have an impact on the city's politics today. White's assassination is a reminder of the importance of political tolerance and the dangers of extremism.

Impact

Dan White's assassination of Mayor George Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk in 1978 was a major turning point in San Francisco history. The murders sparked the White Night riots, which caused extensive damage to the city, and had a lasting impact on San Francisco politics.

• Political polarization: White's assassination deepened the political divide in San Francisco. Moscone and Milk were both liberal Democrats, while White was a conservative Democrat. The murders were seen as a political attack on the left, and they led to increased polarization between the left and the right in San Francisco.
• Loss of trust in the police: The San Francisco Police Department was widely criticized for its handling of the White Night riots. Many people felt that the police were too slow to respond to the violence, and that they were biased against the rioters. This loss of trust in the police had a lasting impact on San Francisco politics, and it contributed to the city's reputation as a haven for left-wing activists.
• Rise of the gay rights movement: White's assassination and the subsequent White Night riots helped to galvanize the gay rights movement in San Francisco. Milk was a gay rights activist, and his death made many people more aware of the discrimination that gay people faced. The White Night riots also showed the power of the gay community, and they helped to pave the way for the passage of gay rights legislation in San Francisco and beyond.
• Legacy of violence: White's assassination and the White Night riots are a reminder of the dangers of political violence. The murders showed that political disagreements can sometimes lead to violence, and they highlighted the importance of finding peaceful ways to resolve conflicts.

Dan White's assassination had a profound impact on San Francisco politics. The murders sparked the White Night riots, deepened the political divide in the city, and led to a loss of trust in the police. However, the assassination also helped to galvanize the gay rights movement and to raise awareness of the importance of finding peaceful ways to resolve conflicts.

FAQs about Dan White

This section provides answers to frequently asked questions about Dan White, his assassination of Mayor George Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk, and the subsequent White Night riots.

Question 1: Why did Dan White assassinate Mayor Moscone and Supervisor Milk?

Dan White assassinated Mayor George Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk because he was angry that Moscone had appointed Milk to the Board of Supervisors. White felt that Milk was a threat to his political career, and he was also motivated by personal animosity towards Milk.

Question 2: Why was Dan White's trial and conviction controversial?

Dan White's trial and conviction were controversial because the jury convicted him of voluntary manslaughter, rather than murder. Many people felt that White should have been convicted of murder, and the verdict sparked the White Night riots.

Question 3: What was the impact of Dan White's assassination and the White Night riots on San Francisco politics?

Dan White's assassination and the White Night riots had a profound impact on San Francisco politics. The murders deepened the political divide in the city, led to a loss of trust in the police, and helped to galvanize the gay rights movement.

Question 4: What is Dan White's legacy?

These are just a few of the most frequently asked questions about Dan White. For more information, please consult the resources listed in the "Further Reading" section below.

Conclusion

Dan White's assassination of Mayor George Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk was a major turning point in San Francisco history. The murders sparked the White Night riots, deepened the political divide in the city, and led to a loss of trust in the police. However, the assassination also helped to galvanize the gay rights movement and to raise awareness of the importance of finding peaceful ways to resolve conflicts.

White's legacy is complex and multifaceted. He is remembered as a murderer and a symbol of political violence. However, his assassination also helped to raise awareness of the importance of gay rights and the dangers of political extremism. White's story is a reminder that violence is never the answer, and that we must all work together to find peaceful ways to resolve our differences.