"Echoes of My Soul" by Robert K. Tanenbaum (2013)

This case is one of the very first crimes committed when I was about 9 years old of which I was fully aware. The case involves 2 of 3 young female roommates living on the Upper East Side of Manhattan in the summer of 1963. One of the young women was lucky that day; she left before the killer arrived. The other two; whom the press dubbed “career girls”; were brutally murdered by a 24 year old drug addict, and the press promptly dubbed the case as “The Career Girl Murders.” It was still the age of Doris Day and Rock Hudson movies, and the case of three young women living in the big city, working, and then being murdered was sure to grab headlines.

Through a series of mistakes and deliberate coercion, the police question, and then charge a young black man named George Whitmore; who has an IQ “south” of 70; with the crime. Then, over a period of 18 hours they manage to gain a confession from him by “feeding” him bits of information about the crime which only the killer can possibly know. After that, having worn him down like the nub of a pencil, they draft a “confession”, which he readily signs, if only to end the horror of the ordeal.

Meantime, in Brooklyn, two women have been sexually assaulted; and the police in Brooklyn mistakenly decide that Whitmore is their man. When the Manhattan police learn of him and a photograph is found in his possession which resembles one of the murdered women, he is also charged with that crime by detectives in Manhattan who are desperate to close the ‘career Girl Murders.” The photograph, of a white girl sitting on the back of a convertible, was inscribed on the back “To George from Louise.” He claimed to have found it in a garbage dump in Wildwood, New Jersey and then inscribed it to himself as a way of showing off to his friends. This photo becomes one of the most crucial pieces of evidence used to try him for the double homicide, officially known as the “Wylie- Hoffert Murders.”

Only the entry into the case by a diligent Assistant District Attorney in Manhattan; Mel Glass; who does not think the facts add up to the conclusions being made by the detectives involved, begins to turn the case around. When a young man named Delaney is charged with killing a man in self-defense over a drug deal claims to know who the real killer is; Mr. Glass seems to have been the only one willing to listen. Acting with the full authority of legendary District Attorney Frank Hogan, he begins a one man quest to bring the real killer to justice in the Manhattan double homicide, as well as the crimes committed in Brooklyn.

In the final trial setting of the real killer, the Prosecutor finds himself in an awkward position. To prove Whitmore’s innocence the Prosecution is called upon to destroy the integrity of the very Police Force upon which it normally relies for evidence.. And then to convict the real killer, they must do it again.

Relying on the “bugs” planted in the apartment of the young heroin addicted Delaney couple from whom the real killer “scores”, the prosecution is able to prove both the innocence of Whitmore, and the guilt of  Richard Robles, who was a small time burglar who liked to enter apartments when someone was at home. In the Wylie-Hoffert crime, things had escalated way past what even Robles thought he was capable of.

Written in a gripping style by Mr. Tannenbaum; who is also the author of over 20 mysteries, as well as being a top notch prosecutor himself; this book reads like a crime novel, the only difference being that the horror of the crime is real. And to someone, like myself, who recalls the case, the book rings as true as a bell.

"Law and Disorder" by John Douglas (2013)

Brace yourselves for a gripping and thought provoking read in this book by veteran FBI Agent/ Profiler John Douglas; who, along with writing partner Mark Olshaker; will change your mind about capital punishment, and then, change it back again. By explaining the art of forensic science and profiling, the authors have created a work which accurately portrays the reality which the TV shows we have all come to know and love so well are really based upon. And the truth is far from the simplified version of what is presented there and even from that which is portrayed in the media. Mr. Douglas does a very good job in explaining how it works in real life, while using some of his; and the nation’s; most infamous cases to prove his points.

Starting with the Salem Witch Trials of the 17th Century, the book also delves into the evolution of crime; including arson, murders, and serial killers, on into the late 20th Century. In that time frame he explores what makes the killer think; or the rapist rape? What turns a petty house thief into a killer? Is it power? Greed? And ultimately, what do we, as a society, do about it?

Beginning with one of his earliest cases; in which he still harbors doubts about the suspect’s execution, and the role he may have played in it; Mr. Douglas questions not only the perfection of the system; but also the failure of some of today’s most expert, and advanced, methods of crime detection. And that includes the much touted DNA; which when taken out of context to the crime, and without regard to other mitigating factors which may alter the evidence offered by the Prosecution; is not always the solution we have been led to believe it is.

Also explored is the way that “justice” is handled once a verdict and sentence has been rendered. It is, under the present system, possible, to have new and exculpating evidence not admitted at the last minute in order to “stay” an execution. With most of the condemned men waiting for years to exhaust their appeals anyway, what do a few more months matter in the pursuit of Justice? Why the rush to execute?

The supposed Multiple Personality Disorder; in which the criminal did the crime, but not as his himself; is given deep thought and the authors come to a very definite conclusion. MPD is a crock. If the accused has a history of the disease, that is one thing. But when they suddenly develop the ailment on their third appeal, how much credence should it be given? Is it right; or moral; for a killer to languish in jail for more years than their victims lived? That was the case with Marine Private Suzanne Collins, whose killer took 21 years to be executed for taking the life of a 19 year old woman. How absurd is that?

With experience in the Jon Benet Ramsey case, as well as some very other high profile cases, the book is gripping in both its scope and depth. The cases all range from murder, arson and kidnapping. And, surprisingly, against all scientific evidence, many have been innocent.

The case of the so-called West Memphis 3; accused of killing three 8 year old youngsters as part of a Satanic Cult; when no such cult even existed; would be a fascinating book all on its own account. Only the interest of a woman outside of prison would serve to break that case open again; this time with justice ruling the day. Too bad it took over 15 years for that justice to be served.

Though he has seen it all in the way of injustice; even seeing innocent men being “murdered” by the state when new evidence has been available; Mr. Douglas is still in favor of the death penalty as a deterrent for the most heinous of crimes. But, only after all reasonable avenues have been explored. This was a surprise and came about just when he had me convinced that I was wrong in my support of Capital Punishment in the first place.

Straddling the wire between his own beliefs, and the needs of justice for the accused; as well as the victims and their families; cannot be easy. But Mr. Douglas need lose no sleep over the issue. He has presented his case; and cases; in a forthright and logical manner, causing the reader to do the most important thing of all; think. No matter what you believe about the issue of Capital Punishment, this book will strike a chord with every reader.