Rudolf Abel Painting James Donovan
A fake nickel with a coded note inside 2.
Rudolf abel painting james donovan. During abels trial donovan was up against a difficult test since the local new york population the media and all the government agencies involved in the case had already made up their minds that abel who had spent nine years undetected in the us. The soviet spy rudolf abel has written a note to james b. Byers not to consider the death penalty for his client. Donovan who represented soviet spy rudolf abel urged judge mortimer w.
What does abel find under a park bench. James britt donovan february 29 1916 january 19 1970 was an american lawyer and united states navy officer in the office of scientific research and development and the office of strategic services oss predecessor of the central intelligence agency ultimately becoming general counsel of the oss and an international diplomatic negotiator. Posing as a painter his studio across the street from the local fbi office was guilty. He adopted his alias when arrested on charges of conspiracy by the fbi in 1957.
James donovan rudolf abel. And used the art of negotiation as his weapon of choice. Rudolf ivanovich abel real name william august fisher july 11 1903 november 15 1971 was a soviet intelligence officer. Donovan really urge the judge not to give rudolf abel the death penalty because abel could be traded in the future.
Donovan his courtappointed defender in a 1957 espionage trial thanking the lawyer for a copy of the book stranger on a bridge. Army film highlights the espionage and trial of soviet kgb colonel rudolph abel. Fisher was born in the united kingdom to russian emigre parents. Why is rudolf abel not alarmed by the fact that everyone in america is interested in sending him to the.
Donovan speaking about his defense of abel. On november 15 1957 attorney james b. Agents confront rudolf abel in his apartment. He moved to russia in the 1920s and served in the soviet military.
Abel heeds donovan ignoring a cia functionarys command and stays put until pryor is freed. So abel has left no doubt that donovan will have the painting regardless of what happens on the bridge. As abel proceeds he tells donovan he earlier sent the lawyer a gift a painting which turns out to be a portrait of donovan in the courtroom. Abel goes to a park and is painting a picture of the brooklyn bridge.
Donovans daughter remembers her fathers belief in advocacy and the law.