Martha Mitchell: The Prescient Martha
Martha sat down with the BBC’s David Frost in 1974, telling the journalist she was onto the shady behavior of Nixon’s men as far back as 1968, when her husband first served as his campaign manager before becoming attorney general.
She explained, “But you know what? I was brainwashed.” “This is how campaigns work,” she said.
Frost shared her belief that Frost’s 1972 kidnapping story was extraordinary. The whole thing It is incredible!” Martha exclaimed with a sigh, raising her hands. It was like reading James Bond books. You can’t Believe it. It’s unbelievable. Please send me.”
Martha didn’t have much to say about Nixon. But, “as far John Mitchell is concerned,” Martha said. He is dead. He doesn’t exist.”
Nixon was able to resign on September 9, 1974 before being impeached.
On Jan. 1, 1975, John Mitchell was found guilty of conspiracy, obstruction of justice and perjury. Sentenced to a maximum of eight years in prison, later reduced to one to four years, he ended up serving 19 months—not starting until June 2, 1977—in a minimum-security facility before being paroled due to health concerns.
He said that it could have been worse. “They could’ve sentenced me for life with Martha Mitchell.”