Trials Books

On Trial for my Country is a novel which I have read with interest as it has given a new way at looking at Zimbabwean history. What impressed meis the way Samkange make members of the family meet after death for a trial. The relationships Fathers and sons are interesting to explore too. The objectivity of the historian and the craft of the novelist is well at work in this novel. Stanlake Samkange rewrite history from the point of view of the African. He tries to show how the Africans have been mistaken by the British and how they tried to understand what was happening to them.

The book is amazingly written through the eyes of a child as he and his twin brother experience the horrors of the beatings and abuses and lack of human love and compassion by those who were suppose to lead by example.

I have had the wonderful opportunity to meet and come to know the author, Ron Fulghum, and my goodness, what a nice human being he has turned out to be, in spite of all that he has suffered in his younger years. It amazes me how he turned out so "normal" with all the horrific treatment he expereienced.

This is a must read and a quick read. Bravo to Mr. Fulghum for this heart wrenching account of his childhood.

Author Ernest Lageson, son of the former Alcatraz prison guard and author of Battle At Alcatraz, has written a great follow up of the May 2, 1946, attempted breakout focusing on the trial of Miran Thompson, Sam Shockley, and Clarence Carnes. These three inmates were survivors of the six inmates involved in the attempted 1946 breakout in which two prison officers died, one from friendly fire from outside and one shot in a holding cell by an inmate. It appears the officer who died by inmate fire would have lived if he had been attended to sooner. Instead officers from other prisons and the U.S. marines were brought in to subdue the three men who were subsequently killed in the prison. Parts of the trial can be tedious reading as different witnesses give their versions as to what happened, but I imagine this is necessary in covering the trial. Judge Louis Goodman appeared to be prejudiced against the defense in his rulings making it difficult for the defendants' attorneys to try the case. I thought William Sullivan, the attorney for Sam Shockley, made a great summation in defense of his client's life by pointing out the deplorable conditions Sam Shockley had to endure at the prison which further diminished the eight-year-old mentality of this man. On the other hand Shockley did encourage inmate Joseph Cretzer to shoot the guards which were secluded in a prison cell. Both Shockley and inmate Miran Thompson were executed in December of 1948, two years after the trial. Inmate Joseph Carnes was spared his life for saving the lives of several prison guards by not carrying out Cretzer's order to finish off the guards in the holding cell. I would suggest you first read Battle at Alcatraz first, and then follow up with this book, Alcatraz Justice. Both are riveting reads.

This is an invaluable source for Leopold and Loeb scholars. It was originally published it the 1920's and due to "decency" requirements in publishing at the time, the subject of the pairs homosexual relationship must be read between the lines- but if you know what you're looking for you'll find it. It is however, noticably censored in those areas. Clarence Darrow's summation is included as well as the rarely seen closing argument of the States Attorney; this book also provides excellent insite into Leopold and Loeb's unique individual personal characterisitcs and activities (obscure things, such as a list of the notebook sketches of Leopold). As far as I know, the last publication of the Amazing Crime and Trial of Leopold and Loeb was in the late 1950's so obtaining it may take a bit of investigation work but it is practically a requirement if you want to get to know these guys.

Written one of the best researchers of Western history, this chronicle of one of the little-known robberies in Arizona history gets more engrossing chapter by chapter. Major Wham escorted an army payroll horseback train that was robbed by locals in southeast Arizona. The locals who were charged were Mormons in an area thick with the LDS, and the region in general was resentful toward the federal government. Local politics and the religious overtones make this a great read.

This insightful & well-written book contains a wealth of information on the rise of U.S. doubles tennis. It chronicles both men & women from the '20's to present day. The photographs are amazing. If you are a tennis player yourself, or know anyone who's interested in tennis, this book is definitely worth checking out.

Harlan Levy developed his expertise in DNA evidence while working in the Manhattan District Attorney's Office. Chapter 1 explains how detectives elicit confessions from suspects. They cause the subject to abandon all hope and make the suspect think they must confess. [Psychological conditioning? If a person is convinced of their guilt won't they confess?] This technique is explained on pages 2 and 3. Three kinds of evidence are needed to convict (p.12); one alone is insufficient to convict. False confessions are the result of coercion or the susceptibility of a weak or frightened suspect. Pressure can result in a confession (p.13). Details of a crime can be fed to a suspect (p.14). But the corroboration of DNA evidence can overcome doubts (p.15).

"DNA evidence can promote a more just society" in punishing the guilty and exonerating the innocent (Chapter 2). Levy explains how he was drawn to public service. It is "profoundly idealistic and socially redeeming" and emotionally rewarding (p.23). There was an explosion of violent crime from the 1980s. [No mention of Reagan's economic policies and growing gun prohibition.] DNA can help solve murders and rapes. [Isn't prevention better than a cure?] Levy explains the reason for regulating police and prosecutorial behavior (p.24): it protects people from the power of the state. Is a trial "a search for the truth" (p.25)? Levy resigned from the DA's Office to write this book and tell about DNA analysis. Most human genes are identical, less than 1% is different. Research into genetic diseases led to knowledge about DNA. A person's DNA pattern is found in all the cells of the body (p.29). The repetitive pattern of DNA was discovered in 1984 and patented (p.31). Can an innocent suspect confess to a murder? Yes (p.35)! [This case was described by Joseph Wambaugh in his book "The Blooding".]

Chapter 3 tells of the conflicts in setting the standards for reliable DNA testing (p.68). There was a problem with the DNA evidence in the Central Park Jogger case: it did not match the suspects, a group of teenagers out to commit crimes. But only a few of the gang were caught, there were unknown suspects. [Years later there would be new revelations on this crime.] Chapter 5 tells how DNA freed the innocent and convicted the guilty. Chapter 6 discusses the FBI's racial breakdown of DNA evidence and its assumptions (p.128). Would a Federal official try to suppress scientific knowledge (p.136)? Chapter 7 tells how DNA solved other crimes. Chapter 8 explains Polymerase Chain Reaction and its use in DNA testing. It was used to convict a modern "Jack the Strangler" (p.178). A newer form of PCR led to a pardon of an innocent man (p.185).

Chapter 9 discusses the formidable challenge to O. J. Simpson because of the blood evidence found in his car and home (p.187). This case seemed foolproof. The best defense lawyers create a theory that supports the client's innocence better than the prosecution's theory of guilt. This is harder to do than say (p.189). It all comes down to credibility of the witnesses (p.190). The missing blood sample could account for the blood found at the crime scene (p.193). DNA can identify blood but could not tell if it had been planted (p.194). There is the problem of contamination (p.195) from improper procedures (p.199). DNA laboratories did not follow the recommendations of the National Academy of Sciences (p.203). There were problems with some swatches (p.206). Levy points out the problems for the defense (p.207). Was blood planted on the socks (p.217)? Levy explains the rules for circumstantial evidence (p.222). The defense provided inferences of innocence. Chapter 10 warns about the National Research Council. It didn't require the accreditation of DNA laboratories (p.232)! Or even blind testing of proficiency! Would they accept "racial groupings" to concoct statistics? Yes (p.233). High quality DNA testing provides accurate identification (p.235).

Chapter 9 does not mention other undisputed evidence. The limo driver picked up OJ at 11pm for a trip to the airport. The Medical Examiner who did the autopsies said the murders occurred after 11pm. The red liquid blood found at 12:15am said the murders occurred after 11:30; else the blood would be black and clotted. Hence all the DNA evidence against OJ had to be planted. The book "Tainted Evidence" covers related topics.

This book is riveting. I would suggest to anyone who has an interest in the history of the Miami Valley of Ohio read it. Remarkable.

Holistic Nutrition expert Dr. David W. Tanton presents Antidepressants, Antipsychotics, and Stimulants: Dangerous Drugs on Trial, a sharp-tongued indictment of traditional medicine's overdependence on drugs. Tanton firmly believes that avoiding prescription and over-the-counter drugs is crucial to delaying the aging process and maintaining health, and encourages drug-free solutions to physical and mental problems. Chapters attack the alleged overuse of Prozac, Ritalin, Wellbutrin, and many other big-money drugs pushed by pharmaceutical companies. Though aggressively one-sided in its refusal to acknowledge the possibility that some drugs might be the right choice for some people, Antidepressants, Antipsychotics, and Stimulants is still valuable for its insight into the negatives of relying upon drugs for treatment, especially in young children.

This book is a must-have for any trial practitioner interested in a book on technique. It covers both criminal and civil practice extensively, with helpful examples that illustrate the nuances of how "art" and "science" can and must work together. May helpful do's and don'ts that will help younger trial attorneys eschew common mistakes and build confidence. If you're thinking about trying cases, reading this book will get you excited about doing so. If you are already trying cases, this book will get you excited about the next one.