| Matrix Theatre 7657 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles 90046 (323) 852-1445 info@salemktheatreco.org |
| BEHIND BOISE, USA |
At Joe Moore's trial, the presiding judge is "bitterly disappointed" by a
man of Moore's former standing in the community appearing before
him in court.
"How will our young boys have any respect for the dignity of the law if a
man of your caliber allows himself to be warped into antisocial
behavior?"
On December 23, 1955, Moore is sentenced to seven years in the
Idaho State Penitentiary. Over the next year, he appeals the
conviction to the Idaho Supreme Court. Moore's appeal is rejected,
and on January 11, 1957, he is imprisoned in the state penitentiary.
man of Moore's former standing in the community appearing before
him in court.
"How will our young boys have any respect for the dignity of the law if a
man of your caliber allows himself to be warped into antisocial
behavior?"
On December 23, 1955, Moore is sentenced to seven years in the
Idaho State Penitentiary. Over the next year, he appeals the
conviction to the Idaho Supreme Court. Moore's appeal is rejected,
and on January 11, 1957, he is imprisoned in the state penitentiary.
Charles Brokaw, having cooperated with the county prosecutor by
naming names, is sentenced to only six months in prison.
Benny Cassel is sentenced to ten years; Charles Pruitt and Williard
Wilson are each sentenced to five years.
naming names, is sentenced to only six months in prison.
Benny Cassel is sentenced to ten years; Charles Pruitt and Williard
Wilson are each sentenced to five years.
The December 12, 1955 edition of Time Magazine inaccurately
reports in an article "Idaho Underworld" (click here for complete
article) that Boise "had sheltered a widespread homosexual
underground that involved...hundreds of teen-age boys."
Boise's citizens are enraged that law enforcement is doing so little to
protect their children.
Families of the accused men are persecuted. Many are forced to
leave town in the middle of the night.
reports in an article "Idaho Underworld" (click here for complete
article) that Boise "had sheltered a widespread homosexual
underground that involved...hundreds of teen-age boys."
Boise's citizens are enraged that law enforcement is doing so little to
protect their children.
Families of the accused men are persecuted. Many are forced to
leave town in the middle of the night.
On January 7, 1956, Melvin Dir
-- who had fled Boise earlier -- is
arrested by Boise Sheriff "Doc"
House in San Francisco and
extradited back to Boise.
According to Dir, "I was taken to
this house where...Bill [Fairchild]
was doing the questioning.
They had me there about nine
hours before they finally let me
call my attorney."
Dir is played a tape recording of
a statement made by Frank
Jones, the son of senior City
Councilman "Buck" Jones, in
which Frank accuses Dir of
forcing him to have sex at gun
point. Dir denies Frank's
allegations, and in a written
statement, reveals that Frank
has had sexual liaisons with
other men and school mates for
several years.
-- who had fled Boise earlier -- is
arrested by Boise Sheriff "Doc"
House in San Francisco and
extradited back to Boise.
According to Dir, "I was taken to
this house where...Bill [Fairchild]
was doing the questioning.
They had me there about nine
hours before they finally let me
call my attorney."
Dir is played a tape recording of
a statement made by Frank
Jones, the son of senior City
Councilman "Buck" Jones, in
which Frank accuses Dir of
forcing him to have sex at gun
point. Dir denies Frank's
allegations, and in a written
statement, reveals that Frank
has had sexual liaisons with
other men and school mates for
several years.
Sheriff House goes to West Point, where Frank is a freshman cadet, and tells the school authorities
about Dir's statement. Frank is expelled from West Point and returns to Boise, with Sheriff House, to
testify at Dir's trial.
Attorney "Mark Rome" goes to trial on March 6, 1956. His accuser, a 21-year-old, commits perjury, and
the jury finds Rome not guilty.
Mel Dir pleads guilty at his hearing, and Frank's testimony is not heard in court. Buck is horrified by the
revelation of his son's involvement, and to avoid further embarrassment, he agrees to request for
leniency at Dir's sentencing.
Dir is sentenced to five years in the state penitentiary; however, his sentence is withheld, and he is put
on probation for three years, providing he spends 6 months in the county jail.
The investigation ends. The convicted men fight for their appeals over the next year. Many are put on
probation and sent to the State Hospital for psychiatric treatment.
Joe Moore is paroled on June 6, 1958, having served 17 months of his seven-year sentence. He is then
discharged from parole a year later.
Frank Jones marries in 1957, and he and his wife (and their two adopted children) move to Portland for
15 years, then to Philadelphia and St. Louis. But in 1982, he is separated from his wife, and deeply
depressed, Frank commits suicide at a Boise Rodeway Inn.
about Dir's statement. Frank is expelled from West Point and returns to Boise, with Sheriff House, to
testify at Dir's trial.
Attorney "Mark Rome" goes to trial on March 6, 1956. His accuser, a 21-year-old, commits perjury, and
the jury finds Rome not guilty.
Mel Dir pleads guilty at his hearing, and Frank's testimony is not heard in court. Buck is horrified by the
revelation of his son's involvement, and to avoid further embarrassment, he agrees to request for
leniency at Dir's sentencing.
Dir is sentenced to five years in the state penitentiary; however, his sentence is withheld, and he is put
on probation for three years, providing he spends 6 months in the county jail.
The investigation ends. The convicted men fight for their appeals over the next year. Many are put on
probation and sent to the State Hospital for psychiatric treatment.
Joe Moore is paroled on June 6, 1958, having served 17 months of his seven-year sentence. He is then
discharged from parole a year later.
Frank Jones marries in 1957, and he and his wife (and their two adopted children) move to Portland for
15 years, then to Philadelphia and St. Louis. But in 1982, he is separated from his wife, and deeply
depressed, Frank commits suicide at a Boise Rodeway Inn.
| Film maker Seth Randall explores the scandal and its aftermath, using interviews of the victims, their children and Dr. Jack Butler, in his documentary The Fall of '55. CLICK HERE to go to the film's website |