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3.75 AVERAGE
3.75 AVERAGE
It is horrifying to think about an innocent person convicted of a crime. It happens in this true story told by John Grisham. Ron Williamson spent twelve years on death row and Dennis Fritz was sentenced to life in prison for a murder they had nothing to do with. Sadly, the police and prosecuting attorney wholeheartedly believed in their guilt and did whatever it took to put them away. This included intense police interrogations, which led to what the police considered confessions. Witnesses who thought they were being helpful or had ulterior motives gave false testimonies. The small Oklahoma town of Ada wanted revenge for this awful crime. The defendants knew truth was on their side, but were ultimately found guilty by juries. Thankfully, DNA analysis was eventually used to free the two men. Even then, many people still considered them guilty. This is a fascinating story. One thing I noticed is that Grisham vilified the attorney who prosecuted Ron and Dennis, but I know there are always two sides to the story. No one is 100% bad nor 100% good. I would have liked a more fair view of that attorney who I’m sure thought he was doing the right thing. It is reminder of why people should be “innocent until proven guilty” and not the other way around. Well done.
This was the last book I read as part of my 2015 book challenge. It was recommended to me by a friend a few months ago.
This was the last book I read as part of my 2015 book challenge. It was recommended to me by a friend a few months ago.
I'm a shameless fan of Grisham, and this book doesn't disappoint. Told in Grisham's no-nonesense style, the sad, true story of a troubled boy turned in-trouble man will leave a lasting impression.
informative
slow-paced
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Innocent until proven guilty.
This is what the American court system is all about.
The promise of justice, the upholding of the judicial system, to right wrongs, to convict and sentence those who hurt others.
This could never be wrong. Innocent people will be proven innocent, after all, that is what everyone wants right? To find the right person the committed the crime and to make them pay. Right?
Wrong.
This is the first non-fiction novel of John Grisham.
A young girl by the name of Debbie Sue Carter is raped and murdered in her apartment. Brutally, and by instrumentation.
The police, having no leads, but some suspicions, have yet to arrest anyone in the case, when another gal from a local convenient store is kidnapped and is never to be found.
The small town is understandably on edge, and with reputations on the line, and the police coming under fire for the unsolved murders, they are eager to put both issues to rest.
Unfortunately, solving these murders as fast as possible, with little to no evidence, especially in the case of the convenient store clerk, leads the police to turn their heads to reason, to good police work, and pure logical thinking.
This book is specifically centered on the case of Debbie Carter, and the trials and convictions of one Ronald Williamson, and his 'guilty by association' co-murderer, Dennis Fritz.
The book details the investigation by Ada police, and the prosecution of the two murderers.
Using junk science, jail house snitches, and specialists that, in my opinion, should have been shamed out of their respective fields, the prosecution is able to, astonishingly, convince the small town jury to find the two defendants guilty in their separate trials.
Sentencing Dennis to life in prison, and Ron to death.
Ronnie, being an mentally ill individual, does not handle death row well at all.
He's loud, paranoid, and continually over, or under, medicated by the prison staff.
He also was forced to deal with the torturous prison staff, who thought it was just hilarious to get on the intercom, or yell from the other side of the 'row', things such as 'I am Debbie Carter, tell them why you killed me'
Which of course, made Ron insane even further, leading him to shout throughout the row his innocence, and putting an already fragile mind, in much worse position.
After years in lock down, countless appeals in countless courts and jurisdictions, and Ronnie becoming increasingly frail and mentally ill, someone FINALLY decided to take a look at the case.
The months and years that followed were, although torturous, and much over due, a success.
This is due to MANY people, people who cared enough about their jobs, and their roles as the only hope for many homan beings.
The list follows, and I am sorry if I miss anyone.
The Oklahoma Indigent Defense System.
Judge Frank Seay, who put the case back before the courts.
Jim Payne, who meticulously, even on his own personal time, took the attention necessary to read the trial documents, and point out all of the wrong-doings of the trial.
Berry Scheck and Mark Barrett, who took on Ron's case, and made the successful dropping of charges possible.
The innocence Project, who takes cases such as these, and, through rigorous DNA testing, is able to confirm ones innocence and/or guilt.
And of course, Ron's sisters, Annette and Renee, who, although VERY trying at times, never let Ron go without their support, whether through money, religious support or words on encouragement, they were always there for him.
Anyways,
My thoughts on the book:
This is the second time, possibly the third time that I've read this book.
I do like it.
I don't think it's one of Grishams best books, and I've read QUITE a few, almost all of them I think.
This is definitely the one that sticks out for me though.
I am glad the John Grisham was interested enough in this case to explore the goings-on and make a book about it, which, I've memory serves me correctly, is a best seller.
I also appreciate how personal he makes the book.
When Debbie was murdered, I was still about 2 years from even being born. The process of the trials, the sentences, and then the dropping of charges, I am sure, would have been on the news many times here in Salt Lake City, but I of course, was too young and too wrapped up in my own life to care or listen to things halfway across the US that had nothing to do with me or where I was living.
However, with pictures of Rons' family, his childhood days, his lawyers, and the legal team who was able to get him exonerated, it makes you feel like you knew everything that happened, and if your that into the book, making you feel as though you went through the struggle with them, and when they get the charges dropped, it gives the reader even, a sigh of pure relief.
I definitely think it's worth reading. Even worth owning to read several times.
If you want to know more about the story, or about the 'players' and the organizations that took part in these events, you can simply google.
Putting 'Ron Williamson' into the search engine brings back plenty of hits,
You can also go to 'www.theinnocenceproject.org' to read more about their organization and what they do, as well as some of the people they have helped and their stories, including Ron Williamson and Dennis Fritz.
Check it out!
- CJ
This is what the American court system is all about.
The promise of justice, the upholding of the judicial system, to right wrongs, to convict and sentence those who hurt others.
This could never be wrong. Innocent people will be proven innocent, after all, that is what everyone wants right? To find the right person the committed the crime and to make them pay. Right?
Wrong.
This is the first non-fiction novel of John Grisham.
A young girl by the name of Debbie Sue Carter is raped and murdered in her apartment. Brutally, and by instrumentation.
The police, having no leads, but some suspicions, have yet to arrest anyone in the case, when another gal from a local convenient store is kidnapped and is never to be found.
The small town is understandably on edge, and with reputations on the line, and the police coming under fire for the unsolved murders, they are eager to put both issues to rest.
Unfortunately, solving these murders as fast as possible, with little to no evidence, especially in the case of the convenient store clerk, leads the police to turn their heads to reason, to good police work, and pure logical thinking.
This book is specifically centered on the case of Debbie Carter, and the trials and convictions of one Ronald Williamson, and his 'guilty by association' co-murderer, Dennis Fritz.
The book details the investigation by Ada police, and the prosecution of the two murderers.
Using junk science, jail house snitches, and specialists that, in my opinion, should have been shamed out of their respective fields, the prosecution is able to, astonishingly, convince the small town jury to find the two defendants guilty in their separate trials.
Sentencing Dennis to life in prison, and Ron to death.
Ronnie, being an mentally ill individual, does not handle death row well at all.
He's loud, paranoid, and continually over, or under, medicated by the prison staff.
He also was forced to deal with the torturous prison staff, who thought it was just hilarious to get on the intercom, or yell from the other side of the 'row', things such as 'I am Debbie Carter, tell them why you killed me'
Which of course, made Ron insane even further, leading him to shout throughout the row his innocence, and putting an already fragile mind, in much worse position.
After years in lock down, countless appeals in countless courts and jurisdictions, and Ronnie becoming increasingly frail and mentally ill, someone FINALLY decided to take a look at the case.
The months and years that followed were, although torturous, and much over due, a success.
This is due to MANY people, people who cared enough about their jobs, and their roles as the only hope for many homan beings.
The list follows, and I am sorry if I miss anyone.
The Oklahoma Indigent Defense System.
Judge Frank Seay, who put the case back before the courts.
Jim Payne, who meticulously, even on his own personal time, took the attention necessary to read the trial documents, and point out all of the wrong-doings of the trial.
Berry Scheck and Mark Barrett, who took on Ron's case, and made the successful dropping of charges possible.
The innocence Project, who takes cases such as these, and, through rigorous DNA testing, is able to confirm ones innocence and/or guilt.
And of course, Ron's sisters, Annette and Renee, who, although VERY trying at times, never let Ron go without their support, whether through money, religious support or words on encouragement, they were always there for him.
Anyways,
My thoughts on the book:
This is the second time, possibly the third time that I've read this book.
I do like it.
I don't think it's one of Grishams best books, and I've read QUITE a few, almost all of them I think.
This is definitely the one that sticks out for me though.
I am glad the John Grisham was interested enough in this case to explore the goings-on and make a book about it, which, I've memory serves me correctly, is a best seller.
I also appreciate how personal he makes the book.
When Debbie was murdered, I was still about 2 years from even being born. The process of the trials, the sentences, and then the dropping of charges, I am sure, would have been on the news many times here in Salt Lake City, but I of course, was too young and too wrapped up in my own life to care or listen to things halfway across the US that had nothing to do with me or where I was living.
However, with pictures of Rons' family, his childhood days, his lawyers, and the legal team who was able to get him exonerated, it makes you feel like you knew everything that happened, and if your that into the book, making you feel as though you went through the struggle with them, and when they get the charges dropped, it gives the reader even, a sigh of pure relief.
I definitely think it's worth reading. Even worth owning to read several times.
If you want to know more about the story, or about the 'players' and the organizations that took part in these events, you can simply google.
Putting 'Ron Williamson' into the search engine brings back plenty of hits,
You can also go to 'www.theinnocenceproject.org' to read more about their organization and what they do, as well as some of the people they have helped and their stories, including Ron Williamson and Dennis Fritz.
Check it out!
- CJ
This was my first nonfiction book by John Grisham and I was surprised to find out that John Grisham writes nonfiction as good as his fiction books.
This was a captivating read despite knowing most of the facts of the case (because I searched it up and read online). I really enjoyed reading this book. At some places it did lag but John Grisham writes brilliantly.
I know there are competent and incompetent people in every profession same with good and bad. But I was appalled to read the gross misconduct of the police in this book. Despite the lack of evidence, they plowed through those men who are literally now considered to be victims of police brutality. It was just shocking.
I read some of the reviews while I was reading this book and many reviewers said it was too much detailed and that the details were not necessary. I strongly disagree. The devil was in the details. Why? Because when John Grisham lays out all the details even the minute details you can see clearly how much the District Attorney Bill Petersen was hellbent on prosecuting the innocent men despite lack of evidence. The means he used to frame two completely innocent men just because he was incompetent. The details were also important in letting us know that how outward appearances and behaviors justified people’s attitudes towards a certain person. When the innocent men weren’t clean-shaven or had mental health problems people thought they were weird and justified that behavior by telling the police that they must be the killers etc. Ron Williamson due to his failed career had depression and bipolar issues and not only that his jailers would adjust his dose and mess around with it to get variable responses from him. Also it’s outrageous how law enforcement uses jailhouse snitches to get away with their prosecution. That was completely absurd. And the dream confessions. Obviously in hindsight it’s easy to say that the police and district attorney and the law enforcement was WAAAAY off but even while it was happening they were off. Just gross misconduct all through out the book. I’m so glad that John Grisham laid it all bare for everyone to see. Therefore I believe each line and each detail were essential in this book.
It was so unnerving. I couldn’t believe what I was reading. That this happened? That the police did this? Each account got absurder. I just have to commend John Grisham for his amazing research on this book.
Despite the many flawed characters, there’s also the good guys and the heroes and they were so many. So many people who worked for Williamson’s mental health and his eventual release. And also the guys for Fritz. The teams involved and the people involved. Really great and selfless people who fought against the system and pushed through and saved the innocent men.
All in all this was a great book.
This was a captivating read despite knowing most of the facts of the case (because I searched it up and read online). I really enjoyed reading this book. At some places it did lag but John Grisham writes brilliantly.
I know there are competent and incompetent people in every profession same with good and bad. But I was appalled to read the gross misconduct of the police in this book. Despite the lack of evidence, they plowed through those men who are literally now considered to be victims of police brutality. It was just shocking.
I read some of the reviews while I was reading this book and many reviewers said it was too much detailed and that the details were not necessary. I strongly disagree. The devil was in the details. Why? Because when John Grisham lays out all the details even the minute details you can see clearly how much the District Attorney Bill Petersen was hellbent on prosecuting the innocent men despite lack of evidence. The means he used to frame two completely innocent men just because he was incompetent. The details were also important in letting us know that how outward appearances and behaviors justified people’s attitudes towards a certain person. When the innocent men weren’t clean-shaven or had mental health problems people thought they were weird and justified that behavior by telling the police that they must be the killers etc. Ron Williamson due to his failed career had depression and bipolar issues and not only that his jailers would adjust his dose and mess around with it to get variable responses from him. Also it’s outrageous how law enforcement uses jailhouse snitches to get away with their prosecution. That was completely absurd. And the dream confessions. Obviously in hindsight it’s easy to say that the police and district attorney and the law enforcement was WAAAAY off but even while it was happening they were off. Just gross misconduct all through out the book. I’m so glad that John Grisham laid it all bare for everyone to see. Therefore I believe each line and each detail were essential in this book.
It was so unnerving. I couldn’t believe what I was reading. That this happened? That the police did this? Each account got absurder. I just have to commend John Grisham for his amazing research on this book.
Despite the many flawed characters, there’s also the good guys and the heroes and they were so many. So many people who worked for Williamson’s mental health and his eventual release. And also the guys for Fritz. The teams involved and the people involved. Really great and selfless people who fought against the system and pushed through and saved the innocent men.
All in all this was a great book.
Well-written account of a murder in Oklahoma that ended up sending two innocent men to prison, one to death row. A chilling portrait of failures at the every level - from the cops who ignored evidence leading to the real killer, to the over-zealous prosecutor who suppressed evidence, to the defense attorney who ignored his client's mental problems, to the judges at every level, including the Supreme Court, who found no problem with all of this. Should be read by everyone involved in the criminal justice system.
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Murder
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Forced institutionalization, Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Phenomenal. Addresses mental health, addiction, the death penalty controversy, police corruption, lies, bribes, and more. I think the author really did justice in telling Ron’s story respectfully.
challenging
dark
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced