what politican killed himself on live tv in 1987?

Answer 1

It's on youtube if you want to see it!

Answer 2

Dwyer in 1987 from PA

Answer 3

R. Budd Dwyer, a Republican politician, committed suicide during a televised press conference. Facing a potential 55-year jail sentence for alleged involvement in a conspiracy, Dwyer shot himself in the head with a revolver. (1987)

Answer 4

I wish I could recall. I saw the tape of this for a class I had attended. He was being charged with some felony for malfeasance of something like that.

He had handed a Manila envelope to his attorney, addressed the audience and pulled a revolver out of his brief case and shot himself in the mouth. I even recall another person asking the stunned audience to have some decorum about this.

I dont think he was a national politician but possibly a mayor of a large city. He did this at a news conference.

Answer 5

Bud Dwyer

Answer 6

Robert "Budd" Dwyer.

The following is from en.wikipedia.org:

Robert "Budd" Dwyer (November 21, 1939 — January 22, 1987) was a former Pennsylvania politician who, on the morning of January 22, 1987, committed suicide by shooting himself in the mouth with a handgun during a televised press conference.

During the early 1980s, state employees overpaid millions of dollars in Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) taxes. As a result, the commonwealth began accepting bids from companies to calculate the amount of the refund each employee was due.

One firm, the California-based Computer Technology Associates, was owned by a Harrisburg native named John Torquato, Jr., who used his area connections and a series of bribes to obtain the contract, worth a reputed USD$4.6 million. An anonymous memo reached the office of Pennsylvania Governor Dick Thornburgh informing him of what had happened.

In late 1986, Budd Dwyer was charged with receiving a kickback of $300,000. A plea bargain was made for Torquato and Dauphin County Republican Party Chairman William Smith (who was also Torquato's attorney), as well as Smith's wife, which required them to testify against Dwyer. This, coupled with the government's refusal to name unindicted co-conspirators in the case, made it difficult for Dwyer to defend himself, though the unindicted co-conspirators are believed to have been staff members of the Dauphin County Republican Party. During this time, the district's United States Attorney offered Dwyer a plea bargain that carried a maximum of five-years in prison in exchange for a guilty plea on one count of accepting a bribe, resignation, and cooperation in the investigation. Dwyer refused the offer, and was later convicted but continued to vehemently profess his innocence, as did others who were close to him. Under state law, Dwyer could continue to serve as state treasurer until his sentencing. The maximum sentence Dwyer was facing 55 years imprisonment and a $300,000 fine.

On January 22, 1987, the day before his sentencing, Dwyer called a press conference to "provide an update on the situation." Many expected Dwyer to announce his resignation from office.

At the conference, an agitated and nervous Dwyer once again professed his innocence, and declared that he would not resign as state treasurer. Those attending would hear his final words:

"I thank the good Lord for giving me 47 years of exciting challenges, stimulating experiences, many happy occasions, and, most of all, the finest wife and children any man could ever desire.
Now my life has changed, for no apparent reason. People who call and write are exasperated and feel helpless. They know I'm innocent and want to help. But in this nation, the world's greatest democracy, there is nothing they can do to prevent me from being punished for a crime they know I did not commit. Some who have called have said that I am a modern day Job.
Judge (Malcolm) Muir is also noted for his medieval sentences. I face a maximum sentence of 55 years in prison and a $300,000 fine for being innocent. Judge Muir has already told the press that he, quote, "felt invigorated" when we were found guilty, and that he plans to imprison me as a deterrent to other public officials. But it wouldn't be a deterrent because every public official who knows me knows that I am innocent; it wouldn't be a legitimate punishment because I've done nothing wrong. Since I'm a victim of political persecution, my prison would simply be an American gulag.
I ask those that believe in me to continue to extend friendship and prayer to my family, to work untiringly for the creation of a true justice system here in the United States, and to press on with the efforts to vindicate me, so that my family and their future families are not tainted by this injustice that has been perpetrated on me.
We were confident that right and truth would prevail, and I would be acquitted and we would devote the rest of our lives working to create a justice system here in the United States. The guilty verdict has strengthened that resolve. But as we've discussed our plans to expose the warts of our legal system, people have said, "why bother," "no one cares," "you'll look foolish," 60 Minutes, 20/20, the American Civil Liberties Union, Jack Anderson and others have been publicizing cases like yours for years, and it doesn't bother anyone..."

At this point Dwyer stopped with his prepared text and called to three of his staffers, giving each an envelope. It was later discovered that one contained a suicide note to his wife. The second was an organ donor card and other related materials. The third was a letter to newly-inaugurated Gov. Robert P. Casey.

After handing out the envelopes, Dwyer opened a small paper bag and withdrew a .357 Magnum revolver, advising those in the crowd to: "Please leave the room if this will affect you." Those in attendance cried out to Dwyer, pleading with him to put the gun down ("Budd—Don't!" was heard on television). Some tried to approach him. "Stay away, this thing will hurt someone," he warned. Those were his last words. Amid the cry of "Budd, Budd, Budd!" Dwyer put the gun barrel into his mouth and pulled the trigger. He collapsed on the floor, in front of five television news cameras. Dwyer was pronounced dead at the scene at 11:31 AM (CDT).