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Framed for murder, Randal Padgett faced the death penalty. Evidence planted by police put James Willie "Bo" Cochran on death row for thirteen years. Charged and convicted based on untrue testimony, Gary Drinkard's execution date loomed over him. After being falsely identified as a gunman, Che Salvador Swindle was charged with capital murder.
Who would defend these men the courts had damned to the ultimate punishment?
Richard Jaffe, one of the most successful defense attorneys at exonerating wrongfully sentenced death row inmates and innocent people accused of capital crimes, was determined to save these men's and others' lives. Jaffe spotlights sensational murder cases and his extraordinary work defending accused killers who have lost all hope. He takes the reader into tense courtrooms where life and death are on the line.
Included are never-before-revealed scenes from the national manhunt for Eric Rudolph, the notorious Olympic Park and abortion clinic bomber, telling the inside story of Jaffe's personal relationship with him.
In this first-person expose of America's criminal justice system, Jaffe takes us inside firestorms of controversy as he advocates for individuals facing execution.
Prologue xi
Chapter 1 A Life at Stake 1
Chapter 2 Planting the Seeds of a Trial Lawyer 9
Chapter 3 Prosecuting Violent Crimes 15
Chapter 4 The Dixie Mafia 21
Chapter 5 Lost, But Not Forgotten 29
Chapter 6 Private Practice and "Jack's Law" 33
Chapter 7 Montgomery Ups His Antics 41
Chapter 8 Defending Accused Murderers 47
Chapter 9 Playing God with Eyewitness Identification 55
Chapter 10 The Truth Hurts 61
Chapter 11 Fugitive from Justice 65
Chapter 12 Bringing the Scene to the Courtroom 73
Chapter 13 The Death Penalty and Juveniles 83
Chapter 14 All Killers Are Not Alike 91
Chapter 15 Death Is in the Details 105
Chapter 16 There but for the Grace of God 115
Chapter 17 Montgomery Meets His Match 125
Chapter 18 The End of Jack's Law 133
Chapter 19 A Strikingly Similar Murder 137
Chapter 20 Fighting for Bo's Life 147
Chapter 21 A Grueling Wait 155
Chapter 22 Bo's Journey Ends 163
Chapter 23 The Wrong Road to Death Row 173
Chapter 24 Presumed Innocent Meets Fatally Attracted 195
Chapter 25 Gaining a Condemned Man's Trust 209
Chapter 26 Letters from Death Row 231
Chapter 27 Eric Rudolph and Me 249
Chapter 28 A Slap in the Face of Justice 281
Chapter 29 Culpability and Mental Illness 295
Afterword The Life We Choose 301
Acknowledgements 315
Endnotes 317
MaryAnn_Koopmann
Posted September 20, 2012
I totally enjoyed this read. If this book had been fiction I would have thought the scenarios with the lawyers and judges too far-fetched to really happen. That's what makes the book so interesting. This book is a very eye-opening look into the legal system and the sentence of death. There are just too many variables that exist in the trial system that can allow innocent people to be condemed and killers to go free. In a rush to judgement once the alleged killer is convicted the real killers get away with murder. And it is really sad that even after Mr. Jaffe had the convictions overturned the prosecuters chose not to pursue the real killers. The underworld of crime is not black and white. Highly recommend this book. It will change the way you look at highly public trials and your own rush to judgement of guilty. I was given this book to read from Smith Publicity.
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Posted May 22, 2012
I am a criminal defense lawyer and the author, Richard Jaffe sets the bar high for all criminal defense lawyers. He shows how hard work, creative thinking and dedication pay off. So many people do not understand how easy it is for the State of Alabama to kill someone by using the legal system. If this book does not change the mind of some folks about the use of capital punishment nothing will.
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Posted February 6, 2012
A Quest for Justice is a fascinating collection of actual events that exceed any legal thriller. This nonfiction book surpasses the most exciting, suspenseful John Grisham or James Patterson novel. Additionally, this book educates the reader about the misguided perceptions of the criminal justice system, primarily capital punishment. Mr. Jaffe compiles his most interesting cases in this enlightening, yet entertaining book. He inspires us to ponder the effectiveness of the death penalty and the negative impacts that it imposes on society. He reminds us to reject the Media’s typical prejudicial presentation of the accused. A Quest for Justice is not only exciting and entertaining, but essential reading for society.
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted October 26, 2011
I am a college professor and Richard Jaffe has spoken to my classes on many occasions. I can say without hesitation that he is the most popular guest speaker I have. He leaves the students (and me) mesmerized and with a new appreciation for our justice system. We all want to hear more that time will allow. I have read the excerpts, and they like his class visits, left me wanting more.
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Posted October 13, 2011
After reading the excerpts, I cannot wait to purchase this book. It seems to read like one incredible story after another. Every paragraph makes you want to read further and further into it, as though you are really there. It's like a great fictional mystery with one story after another, but it's all true and it is all real.
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Posted October 6, 2011
In being from Alabama, I remember a lot of these cases that he mentions. It is good to see the inner workings of a lawyer who believes what is right and fights for justice each day of his life. I found his website and was able to read a few of the book's excerpts there. Will be buying the book when it comes out.
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Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.This book is absolutely fantastic, an amazing read into the life of an attorney who takes on the most difficult cases in the world and manages to save peoples life. For anyone who likes crime and legal justice this book is a must read, it is a very deep and very intense read.
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Posted October 2, 2011
Justice is viewed from three perspectives: maximizing welfare, respecting freedom, and promoting virtue.
The author presents the evolution of each perspective, and hence the evolution of the concept of Justice,
evenly and coherently.
An outstanding book! Definitely the most valuable book in my collection. A book that I recommend for all serious readers.
I love to read books like this. It has alot of interesting stories in it that explains how crimes were committed and what happened to the people who committed them, before, during and afterwards. It takes you behind the scenes and explains in depth so you will know more about the crimes committed. If you like to know about crimes and what happens behind the scenes, then I highly recommend this book.
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Posted October 1, 2011
This book is awesome and very informative.I am amazed with this book and i would definitely recommend this book to everyone and sure it will be useful for your life.
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted October 17, 2011
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Overview
Framed for murder, Randal Padgett faced the death penalty. Evidence planted by police put James Willie "Bo" Cochran on death row for thirteen years. Charged and convicted based on untrue testimony, Gary Drinkard's execution date loomed over him. After being falsely identified as a gunman, Che Salvador Swindle was charged with capital murder.
Who would defend these men the courts had damned to the ultimate punishment?
Richard Jaffe, one of the ...