Jell-O Box Exhibit
3/6/1951 - 3/29/1951
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The prosecution presented this JELL-O box as evidence in the trial of Julius and Ethel Rosenberg and Morton Sobell for espionage. They contended it was used to verify identities at secret meetings. The prosecution stated that Julius Rosenberg cut apart the side panel giving his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, David and Ruth Greenglass, one half and Harry Gold the other. Each would present their two sections upon meeting.
According to trial testimony of David and Ruth Greenglass, after dinner at the Rosenbergs' apartment in January 1945, Julius went into the kitchen with Ruth and Ethel, took an empty Jell-O box and cut a side panel into two irregular parts. He gave one piece to Ruth, saying that the person contacting her and David in Albuquerque would identify themselves by presenting the other half. In cross-examining David Greenglass, defense attorney Bloch challenged his story by asking the flavor of the real Jell-O box. David did not remember. Roy Cohn is credited with selecting raspberry for the facsimile.
According to trial testimony of David and Ruth Greenglass, after dinner at the Rosenbergs' apartment in January 1945, Julius went into the kitchen with Ruth and Ethel, took an empty Jell-O box and cut a side panel into two irregular parts. He gave one piece to Ruth, saying that the person contacting her and David in Albuquerque would identify themselves by presenting the other half. In cross-examining David Greenglass, defense attorney Bloch challenged his story by asking the flavor of the real Jell-O box. David did not remember. Roy Cohn is credited with selecting raspberry for the facsimile.
This primary source comes from the Records of U.S. Attorneys.
National Archives Identifier: 278774
Full Citation: Jell-O Box Exhibit Used in the Espionage Trial of Julius and Ethel Rosenberg and Morton Sobell; 3/6/1951 - 3/29/1951; Exhibits from the Julius and Ethel Rosenberg Case File; Selected Case Files, 1847 - 1986; Records of U.S. Attorneys, Record Group 118; National Archives at New York, New York, NY. [Online Version, https://www.docsteach.org/documents/document/jello-box-exhibit, May 6, 2024]Rights: Public Domain, Free of Known Copyright Restrictions. Learn more on our privacy and legal page.