McCord letter reveals ‘political pressure’ on Watergate defendants 40 years ago today (1973)


Video: Mar. 23, 1973 (at 4:32)

(Friday, March 23, 1973; during the Watergate scandal) — Before sentencing a group of Watergate break-in defendants today, Chief U.S. District Judge John J. Sirica read aloud a letter to him from James W. McCord Jr. which said there had been “political pressure” to “plead guilty and remain silent.”


Video: Mar. 23, 1973 (at 0:49)


Video: Mar. 23, 1973 (at 15:48)