The Alcatraz East Crime Museum is putting lawyers, clients, and some legendary trials in the spotlight in a new temporary exhibit
PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. (October 13, 2026) – Millions of people watch and talk about high-profile trials every day. The trials of the Menendez brothers, Ted Bundy, Alex Murdaugh, and Johnny Depp are notorious. Anyone charged with a crime in the U.S. is entitled to a defense, and the public is fascinated by criminal litigation. Alcatraz East Crime Museum is putting criminal defense in the spotlight with its newest temporary exhibit.
“When I found myself wrongly accused by the awesome power of the government, I was forced to put my life in someone else’s hands. Alan Jackson treated my life as if it were his own, battling and sacrificing every day for four long years and two trials. David and the truth prevailed over Goliath,” said Karen Read, who was acquitted of second-degree murder and manslaughter following a highly publicized trial in 2025.
The American justice system gives individuals like Karen Read a fair chance to fight the charges against them. The Sixth Amendment of the Constitution ensures the right for anyone accused of a crime to have a speedy and public trial, with additional Amendments providing the right to legal representation. Criminal defense attorneys, whether public defenders or privately practicing lawyers, are responsible for protecting the rights of their clients through the legal process.
The temporary exhibit at Alcatraz East will look at all aspects of the American criminal justice system. Titled “All Rise: Lawyers, Clients & Legendary Trials,” the exhibit will open October 23, 2026, and remain open through October 2028. It will include information about the rights of the accused, notable trials and attorneys, the complexities of the criminal justice system, and more. The exhibit will feature over 25 individual cases, as well as notable plea agreements, miscarriages of justice, and uncommon criminal proceedings.
Several artifacts will be on display in the exhibit, including Karen Read’s trial verdict suit, prison-worn sneakers of Charles Manson, and a signed sketch by Michael Jackson. The exhibit will be of interest to those who would like to learn more about the criminal defense process, explore more about specific cases, and see genuine artifacts.
“Criminal proceedings are complex, and an understanding of criminal defense is the best way to help protect individual freedoms granted by the Constitution,” said Ally Mills, artifacts and programs manager at Alcatraz East Crime Museum. “This exhibit delves into the world of the attorneys tasked with representing defendants, the process of defending the accused, and some of the most infamous trials, and lawyers, in American history.”
The museum features over 100 exhibits and interactives, as well as four temporary exhibit spaces, showcasing many famous items, including Al Capone’s rosary, Ted Bundy’s dental molds, and Charles Manson’s acoustic guitar. This top museum is open daily at 10 am. The last tickets are sold 60 minutes before closing. These interactive experiences are available for an additional fee for birthday parties, school groups, scouts, team building, or other special events. To get a discounted rate for groups of 15 or more, complete the online form and allow up to 72 hours for confirmation. For more information about tickets, discounts, temporary exhibits, and all the museum has to offer, visit the website: https://www.alcatrazeast.com.
Alcatraz East Crime Museum has updated its board of crime experts, which includes Derwin Bradley, a retired master police officer; James R. Knight, a crime writer; Robin Maynard, a certified crime scene investigator in Florida; Derek Newport, a law enforcement veteran who worked for the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation for 20 years; and Judge Belvin Perry, Jr., who presided over the notorious case against Casey Anthony, among others.
About Alcatraz East
Alcatraz East is the most arresting crime museum in the United States. Guests of all ages can embark on a unique journey through the history of American crime, crime-solving, and the justice system. Through interactive exhibits and original artifacts, Alcatraz East is an entertaining and educational experience for all ages – so much fun it’s a crime! This family attraction is at The Island’s entrance, 2757 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN. The last ticket is sold 60 minutes before closing. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.alcatrazeast.com.
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CONTACT:
Cher Murphy
571-263-2128