His task Monday was a little different than trying cases in front of a judge and jury; it was to bring a 71-year-old assassination back to life.

On Monday, Brown delivered a presentation to a packed courtroom, recounting the events surrounding a 1954 courtroom tragedy that shook the local community. The talk, held in the same historic courthouse where Judge Allison Wade was assassinated, provided a detailed narrative of the people, places, and events leading up to the fateful event.

Brown introduced the key figures: Norman Moon, a World War II veteran who returned to civilian life with a troubled path, and Janet Schwab, his estranged wife from a wealthy background. Their tumultuous marriage led to legal battles over spousal support, culminating in a January 1954 court hearing in Warren County.

Moon and Swab were married on July 1, 1949, less than a month after meeting. The couple separated, and Swab moved to Warren County, where, in 1952, she filed a claim against Moon for desertion and non-support. The court ordered Moon to pay Swab $30 weekly for spousal support, an amount that would be equivalent to about $350 a week today.

Brown said the high spousal support order, “at that time, the next highest amount of spousal support that was ordered in Moore County was $25 a week for a mother of six children.”

Attendees learned about Moon’s contentious history, including his refusal to comply with court-ordered spousal payments and his appeal to challenge Warren County’s jurisdiction, which was denied. In a chilling prelude to the tragic day of Wade’s assassination, Moon purchased a Colt .45 handgun in defiance of the two-day waiting period regulations and traveled to Warren for the hearing.

The presentation detailed the events in the courtroom that morning. Seated in the front row, Moon refused to delay proceedings despite his attorney’s absence. As Judge Wade called him forward, Moon drew the firearm from his waistband, setting the stage for a violent confrontation. Through photographs, courtroom layouts, and a gripping narrative, Brown painted a vivid picture of the historical tragedy, emphasizing the human stories behind the headlines.

He highlighted the challenges faced by prosecutors and the broader implications of the case.

As Judge Wade called Moon to the bench during the hearing, he drew the weapon and began firing. District Attorney Meyer Cornrich, present to enforce spousal support orders, narrowly escaped injury, running for the door as bullets struck the courtroom walls. Evidence from the police report and preserved photographs showed bullet holes in the walls and carpet, vividly illustrating the chaos of the scene.

Pictured is an officer showing a pistol to attendees.

Attorney Harold Hampson, representing Janet Schwab, provided a harrowing account of the shooting. He described diving to the floor as Moon began firing and crawling for cover. Despite being struck, Judge Wade attempted to flee before collapsing near the witness stand, where he was later pronounced dead.

The courtroom descended into panic as Moon calmly exited the building. Brown detailed Moon’s flight from the scene, his apprehension by law enforcement, and his eventual capture following a shootout. Moon was taken to a hospital under heavy guard, where he confessed to killing Judge Wade and Hampson before he underwent surgery that would save Moon’s life.

The subsequent trial of Moon was a spectacle in itself. The jury selection process lasted six and a half days and involved 186 potential jurors. The prosecution sought the death penalty, presenting evidence of Moon’s premeditation, including his illegal firearm purchase and statements made before the attack.

Mourners from across the state attended the funeral of Judge Wade, and he was buried in Oakland Cemetery.

The presentation concluded with an engaging Q&A session, where attendees delved into the complexities of the case, from jury selection challenges to rumors surrounding key figures like Judge Wade.