STRANGE The McMartin Preschool Trial (1983–1990)
Seven years of investigation and trials produced zero convictions: Peggy McMartin Buckey was acquitted on all counts on January 18, 1990, Ray Buckey was cleared on 52 of 65 counts and the rest hung, and after a second hung jury in July 1990 the prosecution dropped everything — making it the longest, most expensive criminal trial series in American history.
Seven years, ~$15–16M — the longest, most expensive criminal trial in US history at the time. Allegations included satanic rituals, tunnels under the school and animal sacrifice. Result: NO convictions. Peggy McMartin Buckey acquitted of all counts Jan 18, 1990; Ray Buckey acquitted on 52 of 65 counts, rest hung/dismissed. Suggestive child-interview techniques were discredited and reshaped abuse investigations nationwide.
Evidence status: Confirmed by primary sources — court records, government reports, declassified documents.
AI DOCUMENT REVIEW
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AI review of the Wikipedia 'McMartin preschool trial' article, read in full (6.2k words): - Accusations began in 1983; arrests and pretrial investigation ran 1984–1987; trials ran 1987–1990. 'The case lasted seven years but resulted in no convictions, and all charges were dropped in 1990'; by its end it was 'the longest and most expensive series of criminal trials in American history.' - On January 18, 1990, after three years of testimony and nine weeks of deliberation, Peggy McMartin Buckey was acquitted on all counts; Ray Buckey was cleared on 52 of 65 counts, deadlocked on 13. Nine of 11 jurors later said they believed children had been molested but the evidence didn't prove who did it. - Ray Buckey's second trial (May 7–July 27, 1990) hung again; the prosecution gave up and all charges were dismissed. He had been jailed five years without ever being convicted. - Allegations grew from 'highly suggestive interviewing techniques' that produced fantastical claims — satanic rituals in underground tunnels — making it a pivotal Satanic panic case. Record summary verified accurate against the document.