OFF THE DOME

When Jimmy's bribery trial opened June 24 in Washington, DC, Bobby Kennedy felt sure he had bested Jimmy. In fact, Bobby felt so sure he bragged to reporters, "If Hoffa is acquitted, I'll jump off the Capitol dome." 

The trial opened with eight African Americans sitting in the jury box, to no one's surprise. They made up more than half of Washington's population.

Then, on July 15, just before the final session, who should make a surprise appearance in the courtroom but the great former heavyweight Joe Louis.

Jimmy jumped up and greeted the boxing champion as one old friend greets another. "I've come to wish Hoffa well. He's an old friend of mine," Joe lied. The Teamsters had paid him well.

After the "not guilty" verdict came in, the courtroom became a carnival. Someone brought in a cake in the shape of the United States Capitol. The Capitol was topped by a figurine Bobby Kennedy jumping from the dome with a parachute.

"Cake, Bobby?" Jimmy hollered. 

But Bobby, pushing his way out the door, didn't respond.