Frank D. O'Connor
Encyclopedia
Frank D. O'Connor was an American lawyer and politician from New York
. He was District Attorney of Queens County, New York from 1956 to 1965.
in 1932, and from Brooklyn Law School
in 1934. He served as a lieutenant
in the U.S. Coast Guard during World War II
. He later practiced law in Queens and became active in the Democratic Party.
O’Connor was a member of the New York State Senate
(6th District) from 1949 to 1952, and (8th District) in 1955. He gained fame as a lawyer in 1953, when he defended Christopher Emanuel Balestrero, a bass player at the Stork Club
falsely accused of armed robbery. The story was the basis of the 1956 Alfred Hitchcock
movie, The Wrong Man
. Henry Fonda
played Balestrero, and O'Connor was portrayed by Anthony Quayle
.
O'Connor was elected Queens D.A. in 1955, serving until 1965. He was a delegate to the 1960
and 1964 Democratic National Convention
s. He was President of the New York City Council
from 1966 to 1968, and ran in 1966 unsuccessfully for Governor of New York
against Nelson Rockefeller
.
He was a justice of the New York Supreme Court
from 1969 until 1986, from 1976 on the Appellate Division
.
He died on December 2, 1992, at the Booth Memorial Hospital in Flushing from head injuries he had suffered 13 days earlier when he fell down a flight of stairs at his home.
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. He was District Attorney of Queens County, New York from 1956 to 1965.
Life
O'Connor was the son of Irish immigrants. He grew up in Elmhurst and graduated from Newtown High School and Niagara UniversityNiagara University
Niagara University is a Catholic university in the Vincentian tradition, located in the Town of Lewiston in Niagara County, New York. Originally founded by the Congregation of the Mission in 1856 as Our Lady of Angels Seminary, it became Niagara University in 1883. The University is still run by...
in 1932, and from Brooklyn Law School
Brooklyn Law School
Brooklyn Law School is a law school located in Brooklyn Heights, in Downtown Brooklyn, New York.-History:Founded in 1901 by William Payson Richardson and Norman P. Heffley, Brooklyn Law School was the first law school on Long Island. Using space provided by Heffley’s business school, the law...
in 1934. He served as a lieutenant
Lieutenant
A lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer in many nations' armed forces. Typically, the rank of lieutenant in naval usage, while still a junior officer rank, is senior to the army rank...
in the U.S. Coast Guard during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. He later practiced law in Queens and became active in the Democratic Party.
O’Connor was a member of the New York State Senate
New York State Senate
The New York State Senate is one of two houses in the New York State Legislature and has members each elected to two-year terms. There are no limits on the number of terms one may serve...
(6th District) from 1949 to 1952, and (8th District) in 1955. He gained fame as a lawyer in 1953, when he defended Christopher Emanuel Balestrero, a bass player at the Stork Club
Stork Club
The Stork Club was a nightclub in New York City from 1929 to 1965. From 1934 onwards, it was located at 3 East 53rd Street, just east of Fifth Avenue...
falsely accused of armed robbery. The story was the basis of the 1956 Alfred Hitchcock
Alfred Hitchcock
Sir Alfred Joseph Hitchcock, KBE was a British film director and producer. He pioneered many techniques in the suspense and psychological thriller genres. After a successful career in British cinema in both silent films and early talkies, Hitchcock moved to Hollywood...
movie, The Wrong Man
The Wrong Man
The Wrong Man is a 1956 film by Alfred Hitchcock which stars Henry Fonda and Vera Miles. The film is based on a true story of an innocent man charged for a crime he did not commit...
. Henry Fonda
Henry Fonda
Henry Jaynes Fonda was an American film and stage actor.Fonda made his mark early as a Broadway actor. He also appeared in 1938 in plays performed in White Plains, New York, with Joan Tompkins...
played Balestrero, and O'Connor was portrayed by Anthony Quayle
Anthony Quayle
Sir John Anthony Quayle, CBE was an English actor and director.-Early life:Quayle was born in Ainsdale, Southport, in Lancashire to a Manx family....
.
O'Connor was elected Queens D.A. in 1955, serving until 1965. He was a delegate to the 1960
1960 Democratic National Convention
The 1960 Democratic National Convention was held in Los Angeles. In the end, the Kennedy-Johnson ticket was assembled and went on to secure an electoral college victory and a narrow popular vote plurality in the fall over the Republican candidates Richard M...
and 1964 Democratic National Convention
1964 Democratic National Convention
The 1964 Democratic National Convention was the 1964 presidential nominating convention of the Democratic Party. It took place at the Atlantic City Convention Center in Atlantic City, New Jersey from August 24 to 27, 1964. Incumbent President Lyndon B. Johnson -- who had been Vice President under...
s. He was President of the New York City Council
New York City Council
The New York City Council is the lawmaking body of the City of New York. It has 51 members from 51 council districts throughout the five boroughs. The Council serves as a check against the mayor in a "strong" mayor-council government model. The council monitors performance of city agencies and...
from 1966 to 1968, and ran in 1966 unsuccessfully for Governor of New York
Governor of New York
The Governor of the State of New York is the chief executive of the State of New York. The governor is the head of the executive branch of New York's state government and the commander-in-chief of the state's military and naval forces. The officeholder is afforded the courtesy title of His/Her...
against Nelson Rockefeller
Nelson Rockefeller
Nelson Aldrich Rockefeller was the 41st Vice President of the United States , serving under President Gerald Ford, and the 49th Governor of New York , as well as serving the Roosevelt, Truman and Eisenhower administrations in a variety of positions...
.
He was a justice of the New York Supreme Court
New York Supreme Court
The Supreme Court of the State of New York is the trial-level court of general jurisdiction in thestate court system of New York, United States. There is a supreme court in each of New York State's 62 counties, although some smaller counties share judges with neighboring counties...
from 1969 until 1986, from 1976 on the Appellate Division
New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division
The Supreme Court of the State of New York, Appellate Division is the intermediate appellate court in New York State. The Appellate Division is composed of four departments .*The First Department covers the Bronx The Supreme Court of the State of New York, Appellate Division is the intermediate...
.
He died on December 2, 1992, at the Booth Memorial Hospital in Flushing from head injuries he had suffered 13 days earlier when he fell down a flight of stairs at his home.