Thomas A. Durkin, Civil Liberties Lawyer for the Reviled, Dies at 78
Thomas A. Durkin, Civil Liberties Lawyer for the Reviled, Dies at 78
He relished skewering the U.S. government as he represented unpopular defendants in public corruption and national security cases, like those at Guantánamo Bay.
Read the full article on NY Times Politics
Truth Analysis
Analysis Summary:
The article appears mostly accurate regarding Durkin's career and death, with multiple sources confirming key details. There's a slight bias in framing Durkin as a defender of the "reviled" and skewering the U.S. government, which could be interpreted as subjective. The age and focus on civil liberties are supported.
Detailed Analysis:
- Claim: Thomas A. Durkin, Civil Liberties Lawyer, Dies at 78
- Verification Source #1: Confirms death at 78 and profession as a defense attorney.
- Verification Source #2: Confirms death at 78 and profession as a defense lawyer.
- Verification Source #3: Confirms death at 78 and profession as a defense lawyer.
- Assessment: Supported by multiple sources.
- Claim: Represented unpopular defendants in public corruption and national security cases, like those at Guantánamo Bay.
- Verification Source #1: Mentions Durkin was selected to provide civilian defense counsel to assist in civil liberties.
- Assessment: Supported, though the Guantanamo Bay detail is only indirectly supported by source 1 mentioning civil liberties advocacy.
- Claim: He relished skewering the U.S. government
- Assessment: Unverified. This is an interpretation of his actions and could be considered biased language.
Supporting Evidence/Contradictions:
- Source 1: "Veteran Chicago defense attorney Thomas Anthony Durkin dies at 78"
- Source 2: "Prominent Chicago defense lawyer Thomas Durkin, a zealous advocate for clients, has died at 78"
- Source 1: "In 2008, Durkin was selected as part of a joint effort by civil liberties advocates to provide civilian defense counsel to assist in the..."