Joseph Beltrami

Joseph Beltrami
Born 15 May 1932
Glasgow, Scotland
Died 24 February 2015 (aged 82)
Nationality Scottish-Italian
Other names Joe Beltrami
Occupation Lawyer
Title Advocate

Joseph Beltrami (15 May 1932 – 24 February 2015) was a Scottish lawyer of Italian descent. He is acknowledged as one of the top advocates in Scotland.[1]

Earl life and family

Born in Rutherglen, the son of an Italian father and Scottish mother, Beltrami was brought up in Glasgow and educated at St. Aloysius' College and the University of Glasgow.[2]

Career

Beltrami was involved in several high-profile cases, including the campaign for the release of Patrick Meehan. He defended such names as Johnny Ramensky, Colin Beattie and gained the first ever Royal Pardon issued in Scotland defending Maurice Swanson.

He successfully defended Glasgow crime figure Arthur Thompson on many occasions throughout the 1980s, leading to the phrase "get me Beltrami" being coined as a plea for help in desperate circumstances amongst Glaswegians during the time.[3]

Beltrami also successfully defended in 12 capital murder cases.[4]

Personal life

Beltrami had three sons who have all entered the legal profession. Edwin is the Chief Crown Prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service in Wales,[5] Adrian is a QC specialising in commercial litigation,[6] and Jason is a lawyer in Glasgow.[7] He died, aged 82 on 24 February 2015.[8][9]

References

  1. ↑ Walker, Clive (1999). Miscarriages of Justice: A Review of Justice in Error. Oxford University Press. pp. 324–. ISBN 9781854316875. Retrieved 26 June 2012.
  2. ↑ "Joseph Beltrami". Gazetteer for Scotland. Retrieved 24 February 2015.
  3. ↑ "About Joseph Beltrami". Beltrami & Co. Retrieved 24 February 2015.
  4. ↑ "Beltrami 12, Hangman 0". The Scotsman. 15 November 2009. Retrieved 24 February 2015.
  5. ↑ "The Cymru-Wales Management Team". Crown Prosecution Service. Retrieved 24 February 2015.
  6. ↑ "Adrian Beltrami QC". Three Verulam Buildings. Retrieved 24 February 2015.
  7. ↑ "Jason Beltrami". MSM Solicitors. Retrieved 24 February 2015.
  8. ↑ "Top Glasgow defence lawyer Joe Beltrami dies aged 83". BBC News. 24 February 2015. Retrieved 24 February 2015.
  9. ↑ "Joe Beltrami, defence lawyer - obituary". The Telegraph. 25 February 2015. Retrieved 26 February 2015.