Tales from the 10th: Defending the Law: Hal Haddon on Landmark Cases and Legal Reform

This episode of Tales from the 10th features excerpts from the oral history of prominent Denver trial lawyer Hal Haddon, whose career shaped both criminal law and legal institutions in Colorado. Haddon recounts two remarkable cases from the early years of his career. The first, People v. Snead, challenged Colorado’s homicide statutes and led the Colorado Supreme Court to clarify the role of premeditation in first-degree murder law. The second case involved anti-Vietnam War activist Cameron Bishop, who was charged with a capital crime after a protest-related act of sabotage. Haddon describes the dramatic trial, the political context of the era, and the eventual reversal of Bishop’s conviction by the Tenth Circuit on due process grounds.Beyond the courtroom, Haddon reflects on his role in shaping Colorado’s legal landscape, helping establish bipartisan judicial nominating commissions that diversified the federal bench and co-founding the Colorado Criminal Defense Bar to advocate for criminal justice reform. The episode offers a vivid look at how one lawyer’s work influenced the evolution of law, courts, and the defense bar in Colorado. Locally produced stories Tune in to 89.1 KHOL at 9 p.m. on Sundays for more episodes.