Birmingham’s Biggest Crooks: Jack Montgomery
In August, we’re celebrating Birmingham’s Biggest Crooks, whether they be liars, thieves, extortionists, swindlers or thugs. A 30-part series running daily until Birmingham mayor Larry Langford’s Aug. 31 Oct. 19 federal trial. Thanks to Bhamwiki for helping with this project.
Jack Montgomery
Position held: state judge, attorney
Wanted for: racketeering and extortion
Date of conviction: Jan. 4, 1994
Sentence: Montgomery faced up to 100 years in prison, but was found dead in the basement of his Vestavia Hills home 2 days before sentencing. His death was ruled suicide by self-inflicted gunshot wound, but the gun was never found. Montgomery had to be declared legally innocent by the court, since he had not been sentenced prior to his death.
Criminally fun fact: Montgomery, known as the “Slamming Judge,” scared defendants by flipping a coin to decide sentencing. He once set bail at a record $9 trillion.
Montgomery claimed to have been tortured as a prisoner of war during the Korean War, but never served.
Montgomery took bribes from a drug dealer to fix trials until caught by an undercover Hoover police detective. Prior to sentencing, he broke his hip while running naked down his driveway and also wounded himself with a chainsaw.
Birmingham Post-Herald reporter Steve Joynt wrote about Montgomery in the biography, “Jack’s Law,” which Memphis’ Flashlight Films is developing into a movie.
(Hat tip: The Progressive Electorate.)
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Additional reading:
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Thursday, August 27, 2009, 8:45 pm
The tales of Jack’s Law still run through the courthouse. Never got to experience Jack Montgomery.
Thursday, August 27, 2009, 11:15 pm
Colorful? Yes.
Dangerous? Absolutely.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009, 7:49 pm
[...] month when “Wade on Birmingham” compiled “Birminghams’s Biggest Crooks”, I recalled the least boring judge I’ve ever seen. Seeing the list sent me on a drive down [...]
Tuesday, November 16, 2010, 8:19 am
As I stood in front of Judge Jack Montgomery in Alabama years ago, a fellow was getting sentenced for armed robbery, he had a suit on and a bible under his hand, he told the judge, “I found god” (and held up his bible) The Judge said “do you know how many people a day come before me with a bible saying “I found god”? …”At least 10, so that is what I am going to give you,10 years. “Next case”
Tuesday, November 16, 2010, 8:19 am
I remember another story about Jack, This guy was in front of him for his 3rd felony. Jack said “Do you like golf?” The gentleman said “No” Jack said “Well, I do so I am going to give you life and go shoot 18 holes” the gavel falls. His mother in the crowd shrieks in horror. (Habitual offender act just went into play) I was to stand before him next. (I was terrified) I would bet my life he is still in prison.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010, 8:28 am
To this day I can not vote in the state of Alabama because of Jack, my crime fell under the “youthful offender act” and I lost my privilege to vote in the state of Alabama for life when I signed it, some 30 years ago. At least I have no felony’s on my record and I can vote in other states.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010, 10:58 am
People tend to think of Jack Montgomery as “colorful” and fail to see the price many people paid for such colorfulness. Thanks for sharing your story.