Stay of Execution

by William P. Wood

Overview

Small-time operator Bobby Carnes took a shot at a big score, setting up a major drug sale with some high rollers in Marina del Ray. He went in with a few bags of crank-methamphetamine and a .44 and walked out a stone-cold killer: a suitcase full of cash in his hands and four bodies in his wake. Now Carnes is up for trial, and Los Angeles County District Attorney George Keegan has decided to prosecute the case himself, prompted by his own private anguish. It’s a move that guarantees him media coverage in a brutal reelection campaign—a strategy that could easily backfire. For Keegan’s star witness is running scared, and if he loses the case, a brutal murderer will go free . . . and all of George Keegan’s dreams will turn to dust.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781620454817
Publisher:	Turner Publishing Company
Publication date:	10/28/2014
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	366
File size:	537 KB

About the Author

WILLIAM WOOD is the bestselling author of eight novels and one nonfiction book. As a deputy district attorney in California, he handled thousands of criminal cases and  put on over 50 jury trials. Two of Wood’s novels have been produced as motion pictures, including Rampage, filmed by Academy Award winning director William Friedkin (The French Connection, The Exorcist, Rules of Engagement), and Broken Trust, filmed by Jane Fonda Films with the screenplay written by Joan Didion and her husband John Gregory Dunne. Wood’s books have been translated into several foreign languages including French, Spanish, Japanese, German, Greek, and Polish. He lives in Sacramento, California.

Read an Excerpt

He dropped his hands from the lectern. Every seat was taken in the courtroom, a collage of faces and reactions. Several of his own deputies sat listening to the boss. Keegan pointed at Carnes. “What you will hear is evidence from eyewitnesses and evidence you can take and touch in the jury room. This evidence shows a clear plan by Robert Cames to go to the home of Barry Rotich and murder him and his wife and their small nephew. He was a child.” Keegan paused. “Shot in the head. You may hear the defense pick at some small pieces of this evidence, or that witness, trying to throw sand in your eyes. But, you can pick at City Hall here and there and stand back”—Keegan moved a step from the jury—“and still see it’s City Hall. It’s solid and immovable. “But never forget that small child, alone with his killer, facing his killer.” Keegan pointed at Carnes again and Goodoy got up, huffily. “Your Honor, this is outrageous. Mr. Keegan is arguing. He’s not making a statement. He’s trying to save his case.” “I’m showing the jury the evidence that convicts that man,” Keegan said sharply.. Judge Ambrosini put up his hands. “Wait. Not two of you at once. Mrs. Goodoy is correct. This is the time for opening statements. You argue at the end of the trial.” “Your Honor,” Keegan said roughly, “I know the order of a trial. I don’t need any sarcasm from you.” It had come out faster than Keegan could stop it. He didn’t regret the retort. He thought the jurors, however much they looked up to a judge, would resent the judge playing favorites. He turned to the jury without waiting for the judge to rule on Goodoy’s objection. There was a rustling, skittish sound of feet on the hard floor as the spectators shifted around in their seats. “Mr. Keegan, don’t turn your back on me,” Ambrosini said. “I thought you were finished,” Keegan said. “I am not finished. We have a difficult trial ahead of us. I am not going to start it by tolerating displays of disrespect or anger in this courtroom.” “I can’t do this trial without being angry,” Keegan said.

Editorial Reviews

Motivated by a relentless desire for truth and justice, Los Angeles County District Attorney George Keegan has decided to prosecute a high-profile murder case himself, even though his wife died only three months before in a questionable car accident and he is in the middle of a fierce re-election campaign. But Wood (Court of Honor) gives his legal drama greater depth, as Keegan uses the battle with defendant Robert Carnes to wrestle with his own guilt over his wife's death. Keegan is a man of contradictions, a hardened politico who prosecutes the case because of his heightened sense of justice-almost, one might say, in spite of the fact that it guarantees him valuable media coverage. Carnes is a worthy opponent. Mild in appearance, he is a jurisprudential terrorist who cunningly manipulates the system in a thoroughly planned attempt to escape prosecution. Keegan's search for vindication through this case shows that justice-ironically, in the end-comes in a variety of ways. Wood delivers a compelling moral tale disguised as an intelligent legal thriller. Do not expect pages of courtroom drama, though, because Wood, sometimes to his detriment, skimps on dialogue, especially when key witnesses take the stand. (Oct.)

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

Wood delivers a compelling moral tale disguised as an intelligent legal thriller.” —Publishers Weekly "No one writes a better police procedural than Bill Wood." —John Lescroart, New York Times bestselling author of The Thirteenth Juror and The Hunt Club “William P. Wood . . . knows the intricacies and ironies of the legal system. He also knows how to employ them to weave a compelling story.” —San Diego Union “William P. Wood, a former prosecutor, knows well how to surprise and engross us.” —Vincent Bugliosi, international bestselling author of Helter Skelter “Wood clearly knows the inner workings of the judicial system.” —Publishers Weekly “What Joseph Wambaugh did for law enforcement, William P. Wood will do for the judiciary.” —Tulsa World

For Sudden Impact: Wood's engaging investigative thriller starts off with a bang, as beloved Sacramento police officer and local hero Tommy Ensor is killed in a late-night hit-and-run in front of the California state capitol building. The driver is charitable and good-natured Judge Frank Stevenson, who happens to be preparing for a meteoric rise through the ranks of California's justice system at the time of the accident. With so much to lose, Stevenson exhausts every available option at his disposal in an attempt to cover his tracks, but detectives Terry Nye and Rose Tafoya-along with the rest of the city's police department-are determined to track down the assailant. Meanwhile, assistant chiefs of police Jerry Nishimoto and Lou Altlander vie for the soon-to-be-vacated spot at the head of the department, threatening to turn the investigation into a political charade. Wood (Stay of Execution) is a must-read for those who love a classic, hard-boiled detective novel. (Feb.)

From the Publisher