The Lawyer Who Reversed Fortune: Alan Dershowitz and the Claus von Bulow Case

The Claus von Bulow case remains one of the most sensational trials of the 20th century, captivating the world with its elements of extreme wealth, alleged attempted murder, and high society drama. Televised for the first time in the United States, the courtroom proceedings became an international media spectacle that unfolded over five gripping years. Central to the dramatic reversal of the initial guilty verdict was Lawyer For Claus Von Bulow, the renowned Harvard law professor Alan Dershowitz.

Sunny von Bulow, born Martha Sharp Crawford, inherited an immense fortune from her father, George W. Crawford, founder of major gas companies. Her privileged upbringing included attendance at elite schools, Parisian haute couture, and features in Vogue’s best-dressed lists. Before marrying Claus von Bulow, Sunny was married to Prince Alfred von Auersperg, with whom she had two children, Ala and Alexander. Their marriage ended in divorce after Prince Alfred’s affair with Gina Lollobrigida. In 1966, Sunny married Claus von Bulow, a financier associated with J. Paul Getty Sr. They welcomed a daughter, Cosima, and became prominent figures in American high society, known for their glamorous lifestyle.

Timeline of Events Leading to the Courtroom Drama

The dramatic events unfolded in December 1980, during a family Christmas celebration in Newport, Rhode Island. Sunny von Bulow exhibited confusion and lack of coordination, leading to her being put to bed. The following morning, she was found unconscious and unresponsive on the bathroom floor. While initially revived after being hospitalized, Sunny slipped into a coma. Doctors attributed the coma to low blood sugar, diagnosing her with hypoglycemia and advising caution regarding sugar intake and meal timing.

The First Trial and the Guilty Verdict

Claus von Bulow’s first trial for the attempted murder of Sunny von Bulow commenced in January 1982. The prosecution argued that Claus had motive – a $14 million inheritance from his wife’s will (adjusted from the original text’s $21 million to reflect the provided text which states $25-$40 million fortune at the time of settlement and his relinquishing claims) and the desire to marry his mistress, Alexandra Motlke Isles. They alleged he attempted to murder Sunny via insulin injection. The defense countered that Sunny’s coma was self-induced, resulting from a dangerous combination of drugs and excessive sweets, including a potent eggnog concoction dubbed a “sugar bomb.”

A key witness for the prosecution was Sunny’s maid, Maria Schrallhammer, who testified about a previous incident in 1979 when Claus allegedly delayed calling a doctor when Sunny fell ill. Schrallhammer also claimed to have found a bag belonging to Claus containing a hypodermic needle with insulin traces and a bottle labeled “insulin.” The jury found Claus von Bulow guilty of attempted murder, sentencing him to 30 years in prison.

Alan Dershowitz and the Reversal of Fortune

Following his conviction, Claus von Bulow hired Alan Dershowitz, a Harvard law professor renowned for his appellate work, to lead his appeal. Dershowitz and his legal team meticulously examined the trial proceedings and identified critical errors. The appeal centered on the argument that key evidence, particularly the hypodermic needle and insulin, had been illegally obtained without a proper search warrant and should not have been admissible in court.

The Court of Appeals agreed with Dershowitz’s arguments, overturning the conviction. The court also granted the defense access to the private detective’s initial interview notes from the Auersperg family, which raised serious doubts about the credibility of Maria Schrallhammer’s testimony. A retrial was ordered, setting the stage for another intense legal battle.

The Second Trial and Acquittal

The second trial began in April 1985. This time, the defense presented a robust case, calling upon nine experts in endocrinology and forensic science. These experts convincingly demonstrated that there was no evidence of exogenous insulin in Sunny von Bulow’s system, nor was there insulin on the hypodermic needle. The medical evidence pointed towards Sunny’s coma being caused by a dangerous mix of barbiturates, alcohol, beta-blockers, hypothermia, and aspirin. Notably, just weeks before the December 1980 incident, Sunny had been hospitalized for ingesting nearly 100 aspirin tablets.

The jury acquitted Claus von Bulow on all charges. Lawyer for Claus von Bulow, Alan Dershowitz, had successfully orchestrated a remarkable reversal of fortune, demonstrating the power of appellate law and the importance of due process.

Aftermath and Lasting Legacy

Despite the acquittal, the legal saga continued. Ala and Alexander von Auersperg, Sunny’s children from her first marriage, initiated a $56 million civil lawsuit against Claus von Bulow on their mother’s behalf. This case was settled out of court in December 1987. Claus agreed to divorce Sunny, relinquish all claims to her fortune, estimated between $25 and $40 million, and leave the United States.

Sunny von Bulow remained in a coma until her death in 2008. She passed away at the age of 76, having spent 28 years in a coma, unaware of the legal storm that had surrounded her. Claus von Bulow relocated to London, becoming a figure in London society. The Claus von Bulow case, significantly shaped by the legal expertise of his lawyer, Alan Dershowitz, remains a landmark legal drama, illustrating the complexities of circumstantial evidence, high-stakes litigation, and the intense public fascination with wealth and scandal.

Further Readings:

Briton, Tracy. “Von Blow’s Victory.” The National Law Journal (June 24, 1985): 24ff.
Dershowitz, Alan M. Reversal Of Fortune. New York: Random House, 1986.
Frey, Darcy. “Boomerang.” American Lawyer (November 1986): 36ff.
Lapayowker, Stewart. “Evidence.” Temple Law Review, (Winter 1988): 1561-1586.
Wright, William. The Von Billow Affair. New York: Delacorte Press, 1983.