On Sep. 1, Linda Deutsch passed away in her Los Angeles home at the age of 80. Deutsch was a powerhouse in the journalism industry and a positive figure for female journalists everywhere. She worked as a reporter for The Associated Press (A.P.) and covered many high-profile court cases, including the trials of O.J. Simpson, Michael Jackson, and Charles Manson. She became a well-known name in the industry, and she started here at The Outlook.
Deutsch was born in 1943 in Perth Amboy, New Jersey. She attended Monmouth University, then known as Monmouth College, and achieved her bachelor’s degree in 1965 in English. Deutsch wrote and served as the Features editor for The Outlook during her time at Monmouth, was the editor-in-chief of Monmouth Letters, now known as the Monmouth Review, and was a member of the Writer’s Club and Poetry Club.
Afterward, she worked at The Asbury Press before being hired by The Associated Press Los Angeles office, causing her to move to California. The New York Times notes that when she accepted this job, she was the only woman working in the office.
While at The A.P. office, she made many changes that still stand today. In the 1970s, Deutsch teamed up with other female journalists to sue the company for gender discrimination. They eventually won a cash settlement that covered the unequal payback, and they gained the right to be referred to as ‘newswomen’ and not ‘newsmen.’
Eventually, Deutsch became a special correspondent for The A.P. in 1992, a role that has only been assigned to 18 reporters since the founding of the paper in 1846. “When a big trial loomed, AP’s assignment editors didn’t have to ask who should get the assignment. No, the instant question was, ‘Is Linda available?’” stated Louis D. Boccardi with The A.P.
Here, Deutsch covered some of the most famous trials in history which caused her to become a household name in the industry.
For the O.J. Simpson case, she was chosen to be the lone “pool” reporter covering jury selection. Her work in this position led her to be a Pulitzer Prize finalist. She became responsible for appearing on television to tell audiences facts about the trial. During this, Deutsch developed a relationship with Simpson, and after his trials, he called Deutsch to thank her “because [she] just reported the facts,” according to Deutsch’s interview with Refinery 29. She went on to publish her book titled “Verdict: The Chronicle of the O. J. Simpson Trial,” recounting her time working on the case.
She also covered the 2005 trial of Michael Jackson for his child molestation charges. After the completion of the trials, Jackson himself reached out to Deutsch for an exclusive interview. “She’s just extremely ethical, extremely professional, and very, very honest,” stated Thomas Mesereau, Jackson’s lawyer.
She also attended every single trial in the eight-month-long trials of Charles Manson for his 1969 Los Angeles murders. Some other events that she covered were the assassination of Robert F. Kennedy, murderer Phil Spector, serial killer Richard Ramirez, and Lyle and Erik Menéndez’s murder of their parents.
In 2019, Deutsch donated one million dollars to Monmouth, creating the Linda Deutsch ’65 Distinguished Endowed Scholarship. Due to this, The Outlook office is named after her in tribute to this act. She came back in 2023 and served as a commencement speaker at the ceremony where she was awarded an honorary degree. “Thanks to her commitment to Monmouth, she will be remembered forever. It will inspire every generation of student that comes here, a little bit of Linda will always live on with her scholarship,” explains Amanda Klaus, Vice President for University Advancement.
Klaus added, “Her life became her commitment to her job and all the people that she met along the way. Someone who has had such an incredible career was able to make such vast friendships and relationships with people around the country. She left a legacy through all the people that she came in contact with. She was so grateful for what Monmouth gave her and then had an incredibly successful career that connected her with so many people, one thing she never forgot was where she came from. Beyond paving the way for female journalists in America, beyond covering some of the most mainstream cases in our country, she never forgot her roots, and I think that is pretty remarkable. She will be forever missed, that’s for sure.”
“Her contributions to journalism will continue to live on not just through her incredible work, but also through The Outlook’s newsroom that is so aptly named after her,” shared Gabrielle Sangataldo, last year’s editor-in-chief.
“I’m so happy and honored to have had the privilege to speak with Linda one-on-one before her passing. She was full of amazing and inspiring stories from both her personal life and her time in the field as a female journalist; I can’t imagine anybody serving as a better role model. My interview with her, for that reason, proved to be more than just an interview; it was a chance to speak candidly with someone who I aspire to be like,” added Sangataldo.
President Leahy also reflected on Deutsch’s legacy and positive image for Monmouth students, “We are so proud of Linda Deutsch and her incredible legacy as a trailblazer in journalism. Although many have followed in her path, her career as the nation’s preeminent trial reporter was singular. She also stayed connected and made an indelible mark at Monmouth over many decades. We are grateful for her enduring commitment to her alma mater and the care she took to put students at the center of her legacy. One of the great privileges for me was awarding her an honorary degree, one of our highest honors, and illustrating for our students what’s possible with a Monmouth education.”
Deutsch had an incredible impact on Monmouth University, was an idol to students, and a great friend to those who knew her. John Morano, Professor of Communication, described his relationship with Deutsch, “I knew Linda. She was deeply devoted to Monmouth University and The Outlook, in particular. She was always happy to share her knowledge and her time, as well as her wealth, and was equally generous with a smile and a laugh.”
“There is a lovely display that pays tribute to Linda’s remarkable career outside The Outlook entrance,” said Morano, “It’s nice to think that even though Linda has passed, her inspiration for students who might never have met her will continue. I think one aspect of her inspiring life, one that should speak to all Monmouth University students, is that you can get there from here. What a launching pad Monmouth turned out to be for Linda and her groundbreaking career. It’s a sentiment I know she agreed with.”
The entire Outlook staff extends their deepest condolences to the Deutsch family. Linda Deutsch is such an important part of The Outlook and our entire institution and will never be forgotten.
