Thomas H. Needham

Judge Thomas H. Needham, was a real life Superior Court Judge in the state of Rhode Island. When Clause Von Bullow went on trial for the attempted murder of his wife, Newport heiress, Sunny Von Bullow, the story was national news. Public interest pressured the courts to permit media access inside the courtroom, making it the first murder trial to be broadcast on national television. Judge Needham gained national notoriety while presiding over the trial in Newport, Rhode Island. Clause Von Bullow evaded conviction in this first case, as improper handling of evidence by the prosecution resulted in a mistrial.