Murtagh’s father, a state Supreme Court justice was the judge presiding over the trial of “The Panther 21,” members of the radical Black Panther. His high profile made him a target for the Weather Underground, who fire-bombed his house in upper Manhattan. in February 1970. As I said in the column, Murtagh was nine years old at the time and some quick-thinking neighbors were able to prevent one bomb from going off by dousing it with a snowman the future Yonkers politician built in his backyard.

The Panther 21 trial went on for quite some time before the defendants were acquitted. During the trial, Judge Murtagh received a letter from a Brooklyn doctor, Oliver Fein, who was writing on behalf of a pregnant defendant, Afeni Shakur.

The letter goes as follows:

To Whom it May Concern:

This 23-year-old woman presented (was) to me on November 25, 1970 with he chief complaint of persistent nausea and uncontrolled vomiting.

History: The patient is pregnant in her first trimester. She has had occasional episodes of “morning sickness” with consequent nausea and vomiting. On Novembe 25, 1970 the patient experienced an unusually severe bout of vomiting—which made her feel very tired and generally sick.

Physical Examination” (abnormal findings only)

HEENT: buccal mucosa was dry.

Abdomen: Bowel sounds were hypoactive. Moderate tenderness in he epigastric region. No rigidity.

rectal: no blood.

Diagnosis: Hyperemesis gravidarum (Vomiting, 2 (degrees to pregnancy)

Treatment: Bed rest with morning diet restricted to clear fluids. Compazine 5 mg. in the morning, if necessary.

This patient was sufficiently ill on November 25 to be excused from her obligations.

We can only assume that she was excused from court that day. The baby? When he was born, they named him Tupac…and he grew up to be the famous gangsta and hip-hop artist.