Trial Over Eagles' 'Hotel California' Lyrics Begins in Manhattan

The non-jury criminal trial centers on the alleged sale of stolen manuscript pages of the iconic song, with Don Henley set to testify.

Three men stand trial for conspiring to own and sell over 80 pages of handwritten lyrics to 'Hotel California' and other Eagles songs, claimed to have been stolen.
The defendants acquired the manuscripts through a writer who had access to the Eagles' archives but never published his intended biography.
Don Henley, who alleges the lyrics were stolen, is expected to testify against the accused during the trial, which is anticipated to last at least ten days.
The defense argues the lyrics were not stolen, suggesting they were obtained during the writer's research while shadowing the band.
The case highlights the complexities of memorabilia ownership and the legal challenges in proving the provenance of such items.