Angel of Death Row: My Life as a Death Penalty Defense Lawyer

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Overview

Nineteen times, death penalty defense lawyer Andrea D. Lyon has represented a client found guilty of capital murder. Nineteen times, she has argued for that individual’s life to be spared. Nineteen times, she has succeeded.

Dubbed the “Angel of Death Row” by the Chicago Tribune, Lyon was the first woman to serve as lead attorney in a death penalty case. Throughout her career, she has defended those accused of heinous acts and argued that, no matter their guilt or innocence, they deserved a chance at redemption.

Now, for the first time, Lyon shares her story, from her early work as a Legal Aid attorney to her founding of...

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Overview

Nineteen times, death penalty defense lawyer Andrea D. Lyon has represented a client found guilty of capital murder. Nineteen times, she has argued for that individual’s life to be spared. Nineteen times, she has succeeded.

Dubbed the “Angel of Death Row” by the Chicago Tribune, Lyon was the first woman to serve as lead attorney in a death penalty case. Throughout her career, she has defended those accused of heinous acts and argued that, no matter their guilt or innocence, they deserved a chance at redemption.

Now, for the first time, Lyon shares her story, from her early work as a Legal Aid attorney to her founding of the Center for Justice in Capital Cases. Full of courtroom drama, tragedy, and redemption, Angel of Death Row is a remarkable inside look at what drives Lyon to defend those who seem indefensible—and to win.

There was Annette who was suspected of murdering her own daughter. There was Patrick, the convicted murderer who thirsted for knowledge and shared his love of books with Lyon when she visited him in jail. There was Lonnie, whose mental illness made him nearly impossible to save until the daughter who remembered his better self spoke on his behalf. There was Deirdre, who shared Lyon’s cautious optimism that her wrongful conviction would finally be overturned, allowing her to see her grandchildren born while she was in prison. And there was Madison Hobley, the man whose name made international headlines when he was wrongfully charged with the murder of his family and sentenced to death.

These clients trusted Lyon with their stories—and their lives. Driven by an overwhelming sense of justice, fairness, and morality, she fought for them in the courtroom and in the raucous streets, staying by their sides as they struggled through real tragedy and triumphed in startling ways. Angel of Death Row is the compelling memoir of Lyon’s unusual journey and groundbreaking career.

Editorial Reviews

Library Journal
Lyon (DePaul Univ. Coll. of Law) recounts in stunning detail her career as a Chicago public defender, culminating in her heading up the Homicide Task Force. Named "The Angel of Death Row" in 1995 by the Chicago Tribune, she takes us through her memorable cases in 12 fast-paced chapters. Raised in a liberal household and trained at a public-interest law school, she undertook the challenge of representing poor defendants charged with heinous crimes. More than a recitation of her successes, the book contains much truth, addressing the degree of prejudice and prosecutorial misconduct in the criminal justice system, the role of plea bargaining, and the short attention spans of juries. Lyon also details the hard work involved in investigating a case, such as finding witnesses, uncovering withheld evidence, and dealing with difficult clients. In particular, she confronts clients who were death penalty "volunteers" and the ethics of representing such clients. Written in a blunt, conversational style, this book will challenge those who think that they understand the criminal justice system. VERDICT A well-written, provocative book, featuring colorful characters and a love of humanity; highly recommended for all readers interested in society today.
—Harry Charles, Attorney at Law, St. Louis
Kirkus Reviews
Courtroom tales from a DePaul University law professor passionately committed to defending those accused of capital crimes. Since her first job as a public defender in the mid-'70s, Lyon has tried more than 130 murder cases, all of which demonstrate "the ways in which individuals and institutions can go horribly astray, but . . . also reveal what remains human and noble in the midst of such waste." Of the 19 cases that went to the penalty phase, in which the judge or jury decides whether to execute the defendant, Lyon has won all 19. She's been fired by a woman on trial for her second murder, who many years earlier had smothered her infant daughter-"I sent Jenny to heaven to protect her"-and was now "volunteering" for the death penalty, insisting that all appeals be dropped. Lyon's characteristic refusal to go along, her insistence that the "defense attorney's job is not to help deliver the poison," begins to answer the question she's faced throughout her career: "How can you defend those people?" In a criminal-justice system that overwhelmingly favors the prosecution and confers enormous advantages according to wealth, race and social status, a rigorous defense, particularly in capital cases, is essential if we hope to entertain any pretense about justice. However, it takes an unusually dedicated, special kind of person to handle these psychologically and emotionally draining cases. Freely detailing her personal life, Lyon explains how she came to this career, tells some amusing/appalling tales about the prejudice she faced early on as a female attorney, stresses the importance of thorough investigation and speaks briefly about her midlife work as an appellate attorney and law-schoolprofessor. Without minimizing the horror of her clients' crimes, the author humanizes each person and reveals the subtext beneath the legalities of any trial that often determines the outcome. Clear-eyed about her role-"In a battle between a witness and a defense lawyer, just assume the jury likes the witness more"-she delivers a strong argument against the wisdom of the death penalty, the sole punishment that forecloses the possibility of redemption. Riveting stories from a persuasive attorney.

Product Details

  • ISBN-13: 9781607144342
  • Publisher: Kaplan Publishing
  • Publication date: 1/5/2010
  • Pages: 288
  • Sales rank: 309,947
  • Product dimensions: 9.20 (w) x 6.32 (h) x 1.00 (d)

Meet the Author

Andrea Lyon

Andrea D. Lyon is Director of the Center for Justice in Capital Cases and Clinical Professor of Law, Associate Dean for Clinical Programs, at DePaul University College of Law. She began her career at the Cook County Public Defenders' Office, working her way up to Chief of the Homicide Task Force, a 22-lawyer unit that represents people accused of homicide.

Lyon has tried more than 130 homicide cases, both within the public defender's office and elsewhere. She has defended more than 30 potential capital cases at the trial level. Of these, she has taken 19 through the penalty phase, and won them all. She lives in Chicago, Illinois.

Table of Contents

1 Lyon for the Defense 1

2 Enough Pain to Go Around 21

3 Fighting for a Client Bent on Losing 47

4 Judge Misogyny 73

5 Differences That Divide 99

6 I Didn't Know I Couldn't Do That 115

7 A Mother Accused 135

8 The Pregnant Woman Defense 155

9 Life and Redemption 175

10 Supreme Judgments 199

11 Whose Case Is It, Anyway? 217

12 Injustice Is My Business 235

Epilogue 257

Acknowledgments 261

Reader's Guide 263

About the Author 267

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Sort by: Showing all of 4 Customer Reviews

  • Posted November 28, 2010

    more from this reviewer

    A Fascinating Look At The Legal System

    Nineteen times, Andrea Lyon was appointed as the defense attorney in a death penalty case. Nineteen times she was successful in avoiding the death penalty for her clients. In Angel Of Death Row, a name given to her by the Chicago Tribune, Andrea Lyon takes the reader through twelve of these death penalty cases. Along the way, the reader learns of Lyon's legal philosphies, the intense and engrossing work that defending a capital case involves, and the scary misperceptions and misjustices that make being charged with a capital offense such an overwhelming perception.

    There was the case of the mother on trial for killing her daughter. The truth was, however, that the police coerced a confession from her by telling her that confessing was the only way she could go to her baby's funeral. When the case was reinvestigated, it turned out that someone else entirely was responsible. Another case involved a woman on death row for killing her husband. Her issue? Her original defense attorney decided that the case against her was so flimsy that no one would believe she did it, and did no investigation of his own, and put up very little defense. Since the prosecution came to court prepared with his version, the woman was convicted and served behind bars for years before Ms. Lyon was able to help her gain her freedom.

    Lyon doesn't pretend that everyone she defends is blameless. She is willing to have a guilty client serve a reasonable term, but one of her core beliefs is that it is imperative that the whole story comes out so that the jury can determine if there are mitigating factors that would lead toward a long jail term rather than a death sentence. Several of the cases illustrate this tenet. Others show defendants that she saved from a death sentence in spite of themselves, when they were to mentally ill to provide much help.

    This book is fascinating for those who follow crime and legal tactics. They are taken behind the closed doors of a defense attorney at the top of her game, and given an illustrative look at what really decides many court cases. If one is charged with a crime, that doesn't necessarily mean that they won't be convicted if innocent. It takes an attorney willing to investigate and determine the truth and also one competent enough to get enough points raised that an effective appeal is possible. This book is recommended for readers interested in legal matters or those who enjoy hearing about someone at the top of their game relate their experiences.

    1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted April 6, 2010

    Enlightening

    It seems that many people determine a defendant's guilt before they're proven innocent instead of finding a defendant innocent until proven guilty. This book paints a very clear and enlightening picture of the mistakes that can be made by making such assumptions.

    I was also touched by many of the stories behind what caused some of the defendants to be in the predicament they were in. Regardless of the amount of trouble one can get in, even enough trouble to put them on death row, they are still people. Andrea D. Lyon clearly articulated the personal side of these defendants very well. It's not common for members of the general public to catch a glimpse inside the hearts and minds of felony offenders. I loved reading the opposing side, the defendant's side, and I found it very enlightening. Not only that, I have high esteem for Andrea D. Lyon after reading her book.

    1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

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    Posted January 4, 2010

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    Posted February 16, 2010

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