<P> Solomon `` Sol '' Wachtler ( born ( 1930 - 04 - 29 ) April 29 , 1930 ) is an American lawyer and Republican politician from New York . He was Chief Judge of the New York Court of Appeals from 1985 to 1992 . Wachtler 's most famous quote , made shortly after his appointment as Chief Judge , was that district attorneys could get grand juries to `` indict a ham sandwich . '' He achieved national notoriety when he was charged with , and then convicted of , acts stemming from threats he made against a former lover , Joy Silverman , and her daughter . Upon conviction , Wachtler served thirteen months in prison and a half - way house. . After his release , Wachtler became an author and critic , as well as an advocate for the mentally ill . </P>
<P> Solomon `` Sol '' Wachtler ( born ( 1930 - 04 - 29 ) April 29 , 1930 ) is an American lawyer and Republican politician from New York . He was Chief Judge of the New York Court of Appeals from 1985 to 1992 . Wachtler 's most famous quote , made shortly after his appointment as Chief Judge , was that district attorneys could get grand juries to `` indict a ham sandwich . '' He achieved national notoriety when he was charged with , and then convicted of , acts stemming from threats he made against a former lover , Joy Silverman , and her daughter . Upon conviction , Wachtler served thirteen months in prison and a half - way house. . After his release , Wachtler became an author and critic , as well as an advocate for the mentally ill . </P>
who said a grand jury could indict a ham sandwich
who said a grand jury could indict a ham sandwich
Solomon `` Sol '' Wachtler
Solomon `` Sol '' Wachtler