'Anatomy of a Murder' to be performed in Hillsdale courtroom

HILLSDALE, Mich. (AP) — A southern Michigan courtroom will be turned into a theater for a performance of “Anatomy of a Murder,” a play inspired by a 1952 murder case in the Upper Peninsula.

“Anatomy of a Murder” will be performed on Oct. 17 in the courtroom that was formerly used by Hillsdale County Judge Charles Arch Sr.

There’s a local connection. In 1952, Arch traveled to Marquette to fill in for a judge and hear the murder case. The Hillsdale Daily News says the play is being performed by
The Sauk, a community theater group in Hillsdale County.

“Anatomy of a Murder” first was a 1958 best-selling novel by John Voelker, who used the pen name Robert Traver. It was also made into a movie starring James Stewart.