|
|
"If the doors of perception were cleansed every thing would appear as it is, infinite" - William Blake
Jim Morrison was found dead in the bathtub at approximately 5:00 am on July 3, 1971. On July 2, Jim had accompanied Pamela Courson to see a movie. After watching the movie they returned to their apartment, and he went to bed. He awoke some time later coughing and complaining of chest pains. He decided to take a bath. On the morning of July 3, Pamela awoke to see Jim still in the bathtub. She went into the bathroom and discovered he was dead. The death certificate simply stated he died as a result of heart failure. It was speculated that a blood clot from a respiratory illness made its way through his bloodstream where it stopped his heart, while he took his bath. There has since been speculation that Jim died of a drug overdose, possibly taking heroin thinking that it was cocaine. However there is no proof and no autopsy was ever performed.
Jim was buried July 8, 1971 at Pere-Lachaise cemetary in Paris, France. Pere-Lachaise is one of Paris' oldest, most prestigious cemetaries. Many famous people are buried here including, Chopin and Oscar Wilde. Jim's plot was originally leased for a thirty year period, due to expire in 2001. This has fueled the rumour that his body is going to be removed from Pere-Lachaise during that year. This is because the relatives of the deceased at Pere-Lachaise have petitioned to have his body removed. The reason given is that many people who call themselves fans have desecrated tombs and headstones with graffiti and left behind much litter after visiting the cemetary. Recent information has come to light indicating that the French government has designated Jim's grave as a cultural heritage site and that he is staying put. I am awaiting confirmation on this information. But if Jim is to be moved, it is not known where he would go. The popular rumour is that he would be moved to Los Angeles.
The Doors were scheduled to play a concert at the Dinner Key Auditorium on March 1, 1969. The Doors manager, Bill Siddons had made a deal with the Miami promoter, Ken Collier to accept a flat fee of $25,0000 instead of sixty percent of the gross receipts. Collier then sold bewteen eight to nine thousand tickets at more than the agreed price. Collier also removed seats to allow more people into the auditorium. An auditorium designed to hold seven thousand people was now packed tight with about thirteen thousand. Jim Morrison missed his scheduled flight into Miami and spent the time waiting for the next flight, drinking in the airport lounge. Once he boarded the plane he continued drinking. During a stopover in New Orleans he missed his flight again and consumed even more drinks waiting for the next flight. By the time he reached Miami he was extremely drunk. Once he took the stage he was almost falling down drunk. He was abusive towards the audience, he would start a song only to stop it after a few lines, he would bum even more drinks from members of the audience. At some point in the concert he then asked the audience, "Do you wanna see my cock?" He allegedly then exposed himself for a brief instant and continued on with the show. The next day the Doors started a planned vacation. While out of the country, the press in Miami had a field day with the alleged exposure incident. Pressure was put on local officials to do something about it. On March 5 1969, Bob Jennings from the state attorney's office acted as complainant. A warrant was issued for the arrest of Jim Morrison on one felony count of lewd and lascivious behaviour and three misdemeanor counts of indecent exposure, open profanity and drunkenness. Jim turned himself in to the FBI in Los Angeles on April 4, 1969. On November 9, 1969 he entered a not guilty plea in Miami. The trial did not start until August 12, 1970. Max Fink was Jim's defence lawyer, the prosecuter was Terrence McWilliams and Judge Murray Goodman presided over the case. Much evidence was heard from witnesses for both sides. Most of it was contradictory. On September 20, 1970 the jury found Jim Morrison guilty on the misdemeanor charges of indecent exposure and profanity. He was found not guilty on the felony charge and the misdemeanor for drunkenness. He was released on a $50,000 bond and returned to Miami on October 30, 1970 for sentencing. Judge Goodman sentenced Jim to six months of hard labor and a $500 fine for public exposure and sixty days of hard labor for profanity. The sentences would run concurrently. He would be eligible for release after two months and would be on probation for two years and four months. His lawyer filed an immediate appeal. Until the appeal could be heard, Jim would be free on the $50,000 bond. Jim Morrison was to die in Paris, France July 3, 1971 before his legal problems could be resolved.
