Jean Harris - Events of March 10, 1980

Events of March 10, 1980

As Madeira students were preparing to leave for spring break, some staged a "sit-in" protest denouncing the educators and headmistress of Madeira. Harris was troubled by the actions of the students. On the evening of March 9, 1980, Madeira faculty members noted she seemed despondent and distant.

On March 10, 1980, Harris drove from the Madeira School to Tarnower's home in Purchase, New York, with a handgun in her possession. She later stated that she had planned to commit suicide after talking in person with Tarnower one last time. When she arrived at the house she noticed Tryforos's lingerie in the bedroom. An argument ensued, and Herman Tarnower allegedly said to her, "Jesus, Jean, you're crazy! Get out of here!" Harris shot Tarnower four times at close range, mortally wounding him. She was arrested and booked for second-degree murder. She pleaded not guilty, insisting that the shooting was an accident and that the gun had gone off accidentally while he tried to wrestle it away from her.