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Title: Of Murder and Madness : A True Story by Gerry Spence ISBN: 0-312-95687-8 Publisher: St. Martin's Press Pub. Date: 15 October, 1995 Format: Mass Market Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.2 (5 reviews)
Rating: 4
Summary: Does society produce killers?
Comment: Trial attorney Gerry Spence writes a fascinating tale about one of his trials in which he defends the American underdog. Spence describes a chivalrous undertaking on his part, feeling that a more intellectually advanced human being should become involved with the problems of the less advanced, the unfortunate and the meek. In his book Half Moon and Empty Stars, Spence writes a defense story about the fateful American Indians in modern times, and in Of Murder and Madness his subjects are Mexican Americans in Wyoming and their dire circumstances. As the defense lawyer in a murder case, he takes us behind the scenes unveiling the caprice of the "courthouse club" and the criminal shortcomings of the Welfare Department. He says an insane society produces "skitz" (schizophrenia sufferers). The story of psychotic Joe is interwoven with Spence's autobiography and philosophical outlooks. The battle in this trial is for the lost soul of the defendant, a noble cause for one determined trial attorney. Gerborg
Rating: 3
Summary: Mr.Spence get 1star. Book gets 3 stars. Long winded
Comment: How Mr. Spence can be proud of getting a stone cold killer off is beyond me. Joe Esquibell wasn't insane at the time he shot his
wife in the head IN FRONT OF EIGHT WITNESSES ! Mr. Spence and the Doc at the hospital were just tired of the whole
case, it having dragged on for 7 yrs., and the Doc. finally agreed to say that in his opinion (his 3rd flip-flop) Joe was insane at the
time he pulled the trigger. It was a sham. It was a lie.
And then after Joe is freed he of course returns to his old violent abusive boozing lifestyle and gets himself killed. And of all things
Mr. Spence wants the killer of Joe punished even tho he knows it was in self defense, that Joe attacked the guy first.
As you can see I obviously missed whatever good point you all above got out of this book.
Joe Esquibell was a user, abuser, violently jealous, violent in general, boozer. He never worked a day in his life. He had 5
illegitimate kids by three women (one a 14 y/o) that we are told of (you know he had more) that he never supported in any way
shape or form. He was a killer. If there was anyone who deserved the gas chamber it was he. And as far as
insane or not, to me it makes no difference. You take a life...you pay with your own. What's the good in keeping an insane person alive anyway? Especially one who kills. I don't understand it...an insane person has no life. They are the LIVINGDEAD. I think it's cruel to keep them alive in those hospitals where you know damn well they are treated like sh!t.
And what kind of women and/or man has baby after baby after baby when they know they can not support them (they can't
even support themselves for chirst sake!)..., when they don't really want them nor care about them. That is SICK. That's abuse. It's a sin. Joe Esquibell's mother out to be shot. She and her sheepherder husband (alcoholic) are responsible for this whole bloody mess. But that in no way absolves Joe, as Mr. Spence seems to think. Gerry Spence ought to be ashamed.
It's an ugly story about stupid thoughtless trashy people and Mr. Spence attempt to parallel his own life to Joes is a stretch (mr. spence used condoms :o) )
Rating: 4
Summary: yes, it's all true
Comment: Famous, flamboyant, but brilliant Wyoming attorney Gerry Spence tells the start-to-finish story of a murder trial he was involved in.
For years, this book was out-of-print; few libraries had copies. So, when I ran across this book in the 'true crime' section of a University bookstore, I was elated.
Once I began reading it, there was no stopping me. [Spence is THAT kind of writer. He doesn't bore you for ten pages. He puts the hook in you after a few pages].
The book is rather lengthy, but that's okay. All he has to say needs to be said...in order to understand the crime committed, the background info that LED to the crime, and the actual courtroom drama itself.
This book is a VERY good read for anyone undecided on the death penalty. [It might even confuse you more as to where you're at regarding the death penalty. But that's fine. It will give you something to think about for quite some time].
Yes. This book is a definite page turner. Once started, I doubt you'll be able to put it down. I know I couldn't.
Best part is: it's the type of 'true crime' that could happen in Anywhere, U.S.A. NOT like the Charles Manson "Helter Skelter" true-crime that is sensationalized.
I'd suggest this book to anyone interested in: 1) death penalty cases. Pro or con. 2) real life justice and our legal system.
This is not a book for the faint hearted. Be cautious.
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Title: The Smoking Gun : Day by Day Through a Shocking Murder Trial with Gerry Spence by Gerry Spence ISBN: 0743246969 Publisher: Scribner Pub. Date: August, 2003 List Price(USD): $30.00 |
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Title: The Making of a Country Lawyer : An Autobiography by Gerry Spence ISBN: 0312169140 Publisher: St. Martin's Press Pub. Date: 15 October, 1997 List Price(USD): $14.95 |
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Title: How to Argue & Win Every Time : At Home, At Work, In Court, Everywhere, Everyday by Gerry Spence ISBN: 0312144776 Publisher: St. Martin's Press Pub. Date: 15 April, 1996 List Price(USD): $14.95 |
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Title: From Freedom to Slavery: The Rebirth of Tyranny in America by Gerry L. Spence ISBN: 0312143427 Publisher: St. Martin's Press Pub. Date: May, 1996 List Price(USD): $12.95 |
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Title: Seven Simple Steps to Personal Freedom: An Owner's Manual for Life by Gerry Spence ISBN: 0312303114 Publisher: Griffin Trade Paperback Pub. Date: 01 November, 2002 List Price(USD): $11.95 |
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