Hillary was recommended to Treuhaft by Communist attorney and Yale professor
Thomas Emerson aka "Tommmy the Commie" while Emerson's class was attending the murder conspiracy trial of the
New Haven Nine, who were being defended by Black Panther attorney
Charles Garry. The Treuhafts, who were from the Panthers' hometown of Oakland, visited Yale to help Garry, and Mitford organized a fundraiser for Garry. Garry's clients also included Jim Jones.