Washington, D.C. – Three men have been cleared of charges related to the sale of handwritten lyrics to the iconic Eagles hit, Hotel California. Prosecutors dropped the case in light of new evidence that cast doubt on the fairness of the accusations, which included conspiracy to possess stolen property.
The notepad containing the lyrics was alleged to have been stolen before the trio acquired it, leading to their arrest and subsequent court trial in New York. The men – Glenn Horowitz, Craig Inciardi, and Edward Kosinski – had maintained their innocence throughout the legal proceedings.
Former Eagles member Don Henley had previously claimed that a notepad containing Hotel California lyrics and other Eagles’ songs had been pilfered before being put up for sale in 2012. The notepad was sold to Horowitz for $50,000 in 2005 by writer Ed Sanders, who had access to the band’s archives for a biography project.
Following Henley’s allegations, an investigation was launched by the Manhattan District Attorney’s office, resulting in charges against the three men. However, new emails uncovered later in the trial raised concerns about fairness, prompting prosecutors to dismiss the case.
Assistant District Attorney Aaron Ginandes informed the judge of their decision, citing the emergence of over 6,000 pages of new material after Henley waived attorney-client privilege during his testimony. The judge criticized witnesses and lawyers for attempting to withhold damaging information using legal privileges.
The dismissal of the case dealt a blow to the Attorney General’s office, which had been investigating the matter for years. Defense attorneys for the accused men welcomed the decision but expressed that it had come too late and promised to explore potential legal action.
The 1976 Hotel California album remains a monumental success, having sold 26 million copies nationwide and solidifying its place as one of the best-selling records in U.S. history. The ordeal highlights the complexities of legal battles in the music industry and the importance of upholding fairness and transparency in judicial proceedings.