"Manhattan Trial Unfolds Over Stolen 'Hotel California' Lyrics"
Three defendants are on trial in New York for allegedly scheming to thwart Eagles co-founder Don Henley’s efforts to reclaim handwritten lyrics to songs from the “Hotel California” album. The documents, including drafts of “Hotel California,” “Life in the Fast Lane,” and “New Kid in Town,” began popping up for auction a decade ago, prompting Henley to report them stolen. The defendants, well-established in the collectibles world, have pleaded not guilty to conspiracy and other charges, claiming legal possession of the documents. The trial, which began with opening statements on Wednesday, will be decided by Judge Curtis Farber as the defendants opted to forgo a jury.
