'Hotel California' Lyrics Case Dismissed Amid Trial

New York prosecutors drop charges against three men accused of possessing stolen Eagles lyrics after late disclosure of key documents.

New York prosecutors abruptly dismissed charges against three collectibles experts accused of scheming to sell stolen Eagles lyrics, including drafts of 'Hotel California'.
The dismissal came after the defense was blindsided by the late disclosure of over 6,000 pages of communications involving Don Henley and his legal team.
The case, centered on roughly 100 pages of hand-drafted lyrics, ended unexpectedly in the middle of the trial, clearing the accused of all charges.
Don Henley plans to pursue all his rights in civil courts, signaling the battle over the lyrics may continue beyond the criminal case.
The defense argued the lyrics were not stolen, claiming they were rightful owners of the pages, which had been sold to them decades after being given to a writer for an unpublished Eagles biography.