At Approximately 2:30 in the morning on June 17, 1966, two black men robbed the Lafayette Bar and Grill in Paterson, NJ, and fatally shot three white men.

The Investigation

Patricia Valentine, an eyewitness who lived in the tavern above, immediately reported seeing two black men flee in a white car. Four minutes after the shooting a Patterson police officer chased a white car that fitted the witnesses' description, heading out of town. Unfortunately the car got away. Upon his return the same officer stopped another car located 14 blocks away from the Lafayette Bar, leased by Rubin Carter. Inside he found three, not two, black men, including Rubin Carter in the back seat. The three men told the officer they we're returning home from a local club to get some money. Because the officer saw no signs of weapons, and the driver was not speeding, as well as the...