Video: 'SYND 19-2-70 CHICAGO SEVEN TRIAL VERDICT COMMENT'

(Tuesday, February 18, 1970, 12:20 p.m. CST, during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — All seven defendants in the Chicago conspiracy trial were acquitted today of plotting to incite a riot during the 1968 Democratic National Convention, but five of them were convicted of seeking to promote a riot through individual acts.

The Chicago Seven (originally Chicago Eight, also Conspiracy Eight/Conspiracy Seven) had been charged by the federal government with conspiracy, inciting to riot, and other charges related to anti-Vietnam War and counter-cultural protests that took place at the convention.

After nearly 40 hours of deliberation, the jury returned its verdict in the brightly lit courtroom on the 23rd floor of Chicago’s Federal Building, where the four-and-a half-month trial took place.

Video: 'Riot: The Chicago Conspiracy Trial' (deliberations and verdict at 31:02)

The five men, Abbie Hoffman, Jerry Rubin, David Dellinger, Tom Hayden and Rennie Davis, were found guilty of crossing state lines with intent to incite a riot and then giving inflammatory speeches for that purpose.

The two other defendants, John Froines and Lee Weiner, were acquitted on both the conspiracy and the individual counts.

Bobby Seale, the eighth man charged, had his trial severed during the proceedings, lowering the number of defendants from eight to seven.

Video: 'Conspiracy Trial of the Chicago 8'

On Feb. 20, 1970, Judge Julius Hoffman (no relation to Abbie Hoffman) sentenced each of the convicted men to five years in prison and a fine of $5,000, as well as ordering them to pay the costs of their prosecution, while defense attorney William Kunstler was sentenced to four years and 13 days imprisonment for contempt of court.

After Kunstler stated that “I think it is wrong legally and morally” to issue sentences so quickly after trial, Judge Hoffman replied “To say I am morally wrong can only add to your present troubles.”

On Feb. 28, 1970, the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals ordered the men to be released from jail, on bond.

On Nov. 21, 1972, their convictions were overturned by the appellate court.