G. Wray Gill
Encyclopedia
George Wray Gill, Sr. was an American lawyer born in Crowley, Louisiana
. He graduated Loyola University School of Law
in New Orleans in June 1927. He became a prominent attorney in that city as part of the firm Gill, Bernstein, Schreiber and Gill in Room 1707 of the Pere* Marquette Building at 150 Baronne Street. He resided at 996 Robert E. Lee Boulevard.
Gill was primarily a criminal lawyer who handled many high profile cases over the years. His most controversial client was Carlos Marcello
(Calogero Minacore) who was reputed to be the organized crime boss of Louisiana and surrounding states. He represented Marcello on many occasions between 1951 and 1972. Gill was himself the target of criminal charges several times.
In December 1961, he began representing a former pilot named David Ferrie
in his attempt to be reinstated with Eastern Air Lines
after his suspension, related to morals charges. Gill employed Ferrie as an investigator and handyman from March 1962-December 1963. Throughout 1963, Gill represented Ferrie before the Pilots System Board of Adjustment in Ferrie's grievances against the airline. Ferrie was briefly detained in November 1963 over charges made by Jack S. Martin, another Gill associate, that Ferrie had been involved in some way with Lee Harvey Oswald
. Three years later, Ferrie became the prime suspect in New Orleans District Attorney Jim Garrison
's investigation of the John F. Kennedy
assassination, shortly before he was found dead in his apartment.
Gill continued a relationship with Marcello, who testified on the lawyer's behalf in a civil case in March 1969. Gill represented Marcello in a case involving illegal re-entry in the U.S. after deportation, and surrendered him for a two-year term in 1970 on charges of assaulting a federal agent.
Gill died in New Orleans on October 4, 1972.
(*pronounced locally as "Pierre")
Crowley, Louisiana
Crowley is a city in and the parish seat of Acadia Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 14,225 at the 2000 census. The city is noted for its annual International Rice Festival. Crowley has the nickname of "Rice Capital of America", because at one time it was a major center for...
. He graduated Loyola University School of Law
Loyola University New Orleans
Loyola University New Orleans is a private, co-educational and Jesuit university located in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States. Originally established as Loyola College in 1904, the institution was chartered as a university in 1912. It bears the name of the Jesuit patron, Saint Ignatius of Loyola...
in New Orleans in June 1927. He became a prominent attorney in that city as part of the firm Gill, Bernstein, Schreiber and Gill in Room 1707 of the Pere* Marquette Building at 150 Baronne Street. He resided at 996 Robert E. Lee Boulevard.
Gill was primarily a criminal lawyer who handled many high profile cases over the years. His most controversial client was Carlos Marcello
Carlos Marcello
Carlos "The Little Man" Marcello was a Sicilian-American mafioso who became the boss of the New Orleans crime family during the 1940s and held this position for the next 30 years.-Early life:...
(Calogero Minacore) who was reputed to be the organized crime boss of Louisiana and surrounding states. He represented Marcello on many occasions between 1951 and 1972. Gill was himself the target of criminal charges several times.
In December 1961, he began representing a former pilot named David Ferrie
David Ferrie
David William Ferrie was a pilot who was alleged to have been involved in a conspiracy to assassinate President John F. Kennedy. New Orleans District Attorney Jim Garrison later claimed to have proven Ferrie's involvement and that he knew Lee Harvey Oswald. Ferrie denied such involvement.-Early...
in his attempt to be reinstated with Eastern Air Lines
Eastern Air Lines
Eastern Air Lines was a major United States airline that existed from 1926 to 1991. Before its dissolution it was headquartered at Miami International Airport in unincorporated Miami-Dade County, Florida.-History:...
after his suspension, related to morals charges. Gill employed Ferrie as an investigator and handyman from March 1962-December 1963. Throughout 1963, Gill represented Ferrie before the Pilots System Board of Adjustment in Ferrie's grievances against the airline. Ferrie was briefly detained in November 1963 over charges made by Jack S. Martin, another Gill associate, that Ferrie had been involved in some way with Lee Harvey Oswald
Lee Harvey Oswald
Lee Harvey Oswald was, according to four government investigations,These were investigations by: the Federal Bureau of Investigation , the Warren Commission , the House Select Committee on Assassinations , and the Dallas Police Department. the sniper who assassinated John F...
. Three years later, Ferrie became the prime suspect in New Orleans District Attorney Jim Garrison
Jim Garrison
Earling Carothers "Jim" Garrison — who changed his first name to Jim in the early 1960s — was the District Attorney of Orleans Parish, Louisiana from 1962 to 1973. A member of the Democratic Party, he is best known for his investigations into the assassination of President John F. Kennedy...
's investigation of the John F. Kennedy
John F. Kennedy
John Fitzgerald "Jack" Kennedy , often referred to by his initials JFK, was the 35th President of the United States, serving from 1961 until his assassination in 1963....
assassination, shortly before he was found dead in his apartment.
Gill continued a relationship with Marcello, who testified on the lawyer's behalf in a civil case in March 1969. Gill represented Marcello in a case involving illegal re-entry in the U.S. after deportation, and surrendered him for a two-year term in 1970 on charges of assaulting a federal agent.
Gill died in New Orleans on October 4, 1972.
(*pronounced locally as "Pierre")