Is John Davies Living or Dead?

About John Davies

John Davies: The Olympic Swimmer Turned Federal Judge

John Davies was born on May 17, 1929, in Sydney, Australia. He grew up with a passion for swimming and quickly became one of the country's top athletes. In 1952, he represented Australia at the Summer Olympics in Helsinki, where he won a gold medal in the 4x200-meter freestyle relay.

After retiring from swimming, Davies pursued a career in law. He moved to the United States in 1955 and earned his law degree from the University of Southern California. He worked as a lawyer in Los Angeles for several years before being appointed to the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California in 1970.

Davies served as a federal judge for over 40 years, earning a reputation as a fair and impartial jurist. He presided over several high-profile cases, including the trial of Charles Manson and his followers for the Tate-LaBianca murders in 1969.

Despite his busy career as a judge, Davies remained involved in the swimming community. He served as the president of the Southern Pacific Association of the Amateur Athletic Union and was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame in 1980.

Davies passed away on May 29, 2017, at the age of 88. He is remembered as a talented athlete and respected jurist who made significant contributions to both the sports and legal worlds.

References:

- "John Davies, Olympic gold medalist and longtime federal judge, dies at 88" - Los Angeles Times

- "John Davies, Judge Who Presided Over Manson Trial, Dies at 88" - The New York Times

- "John Davies" - International Swimming Hall of Fame