King v. Trustees of Boston University

420 Mass. 52, 647 N.E.2d 1196 (1995)

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King v. Trustees of Boston University

Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts
420 Mass. 52, 647 N.E.2d 1196 (1995)

King v. Trustees of Boston University

Facts

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. made the decision to deposit correspondence, manuscripts, other papers, some of his awards, and other materials with the Trustees of Boston University (BU) (defendant). Accompanying the deposit was a letter. The letter stated: “I intend each year to indicate a portion of the materials deposited with [BU] to become the absolute property of [BU] as an outright gift from me, until all shall have been thus given to [BU]. In the event of my death, all such materials deposited with [BU] shall become from that date the absolute property of [BU].” When the materials were deposited, BU indexed the papers, made them available to researchers, and hired trained staff to take care of the papers and assist researchers. BU also held a ceremony for the receipt of the papers. Dr. King spoke at the ceremony about why he placed those papers in BU’s custody. Upon Dr. King’s death, his wife (Mrs. King) (plaintiff), as administratrix of his estate, sought the return of the materials from BU. Mrs. King filed suit. At trial, the jury determined that King made a charitable pledge to BU. Mrs. King filed a motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdict or for a new trial. The trial court denied the motion. Mrs. King appealed directly to the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts.

Rule of Law

Issue

Holding and Reasoning (Abrams, J.)

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