Closing Argument: Defending (and Befriending) John Gotti, and Other Legal Battles I Have Waged

Closing Argument: Defending (and Befriending) John Gotti, and Other Legal Battles I Have Waged
Average customer rating:

Give me a break!

Courtroom Gladiator and Bare Knuckles Champ

Closing Argument: Defending (and Befriending) John Gotti, and Other Legal Battles I Have Waged
Bruce Cutler , and Lionel Rene Saporta
Manufacturer: Crown
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0609608312
Release Date: 2003-03-18

Book Description

Bruce Cutler, one of the most famous lawyers in America, has never told his story—until now. Best known for his tenacious and highly publicized defense of John Gotti in the 1980s and early 1990s, Cutler personified a confidence, passion, and legal thoroughness that repeatedly defied a government determined to bring Gotti to his knees. A ubiquitous presence at Gotti’s side in and out of the courtroom—and on the front pages of newspapers around the country—Cutler became almost as infamous as his client. And, as John Gotti became a lightning rod for every prosecutor seeking glory, reputation, or promotion, Cutler too became a lightning rod for controversy. According to the feds, Bruce Cutler may have gotten too close, and they made sure that both he and his client paid the price.

Cutler, the son of a detective turned lawyer, resolved his choice of profession early in life and plunged headlong into the tumultuous and at times surreal world of the New York legal system. In Closing Argument, Cutler recounts his time as an aggressive, tireless assistant D.A. in Brooklyn; how he switched sides and became a fiercely dedicated defense attorney working with Barry Slotnick, one of New York’s
premier criminal attorneys; and the path that led him to John Gotti’s side in court. It was March 28, 1985,
to be precise: He was thirty-six years old, and it was a moment that would change both men’s lives forever.

Closing Argument is the inside story of how Bruce Cutler and John Gotti frustrated the feds so much
that they finally had to break the rules themselves to convict the so-called Teflon Don. The years Cutler and Gotti spent together were a kind of golden age of criminal (and in particular organized crime) litigation, and both lawyer and client were at the red-hot center of it all. What neither man may have realized then is that the famous trials were mostly about the government’s wanting to put an end to a certain way of life, one that John Gotti and his like embodied. The conviction of Gotti, and his subsequent death in 2002 while serving a life sentence in solitary confinement, marked the end of an era. Closing Argument is a glimpse into the world of John Gotti: the talk around the table at the notorious Ravenite social club; the murder of Paul Castellano; Gotti’s feelings about the treachery of Sammy “The Bull” Gravano and the alleged betrayal by Wilfred “Willie Boy” Johnson; and what it took to make it in a world with its own set of unbreakable rules.

This fascinating document makes clear that Gotti and Cutler were perfectly matched. Their inability to compromise, their full-throttle approach to their defense, and the charisma that made them the favorites of the press, were their strengths and, ironically, what made them such inviting targets to a host of prosecutors.

Bruce Cutler, in typical style, pulls no punches in Closing Argument. It is very rare for a practicing lawyer to talk with the kind of candor he does here, and it is rarer for any lawyer to ever become as passionate
and emotionally involved as he did with his client, John Gotti.

Customer Reviews:

Give me a break!.......2003-10-15

Bruce Cutler is a self serving loud mouth who spends an entire book telling us what a great lawyer he is. Given the allegations of jury tampering (which was the reason he was banned from representing Gotti a third time and may be the reason Gotti was acquitted the first two times) and his pitiful track record anywhere else where the true practice of law is required, it is no wonder he wrote a book - no one who values their rights and their freedom would hire this guy.

Courtroom Gladiator and Bare Knuckles Champ.......2003-03-30

The cure for everyone tired of slick lawyers whose business cards should say "Have Word Processor, Will Travel." Cutler is the Method Actor of the Bar. He tries cases from the inside out, with no cynicism, no patronization of the jury, and no distaste for the client hidden under a barrel of glib professionalism. Cutler lays his thoughts and feelings bare in this book, and it's an inspiration. If you're in law school, reading it may remind you why you bothered. If you're in practice, it will inspire you to try cases. If you're a gangster, it will make you check your address book to see if you have Cutler's number. For everyone else, a hugely entertaining, edifying book about America, the legal system, the System, and a guy who has the b--ls to buck it and often win.

The Divorce Trial Manual: From Initial Interview to Closing Argument

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A indispensable addition to my library

The Divorce Trial Manual: From Initial Interview to Closing Argument
Lynne Z. Gold-Bikin
Manufacturer: American Bar Association
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Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1590312376

Book Description

This concise guide is a complete roadmap through a divorce trail from the initial interview to trial preparation to the closing argument.

Customer Reviews:

A indispensable addition to my library.......2005-01-09

Before I read this book, I had no idea what I didn't know. An easy read, this book is clear, to the point, and full of using tips and strategies. I am using the disc that is included to organize my files. I have new strategies to prepare my witnesses. I finally understand the importance of organizing my information and find that I'm even settling my cases more effectively. Thanks, Lynne and Steve, for an indispensable addition to my law library. J Zapoleon

Ladies and Gentlemen of the Jury: Greatest Closing Arguments in Modern Law

Average customer rating:

Celebrity cases, mostly of the left - certainly not the "greatest."
If your idealism is waning, this book will help you find it!
A worthwhile read for a trial attorney
Legal History
Spellbinding

Ladies and Gentlemen of the Jury: Greatest Closing Arguments in Modern Law
Michael S Lief , H. Mitchell Caldwell , and Ben Bycel
Manufacturer: Scribner
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0684836610

Amazon.com

Anyone who's ever watched Perry Mason knows that the closing argument is a very important part of a big legal case. The closing argument is the "game point" of law, the time when lawyers pull out all the stops on the cajoling and the litigating. Michael S. Lief and his coauthors have collected the closing arguments from 10 noteworthy cases in this volume, introducing each speech with background information on the trial and commentary on the lawyer's technique. In these pages, readers get front-row seats to some of the most riveting trials in this century, including the Charles Manson murder trial, Karen Silkwood's wrongful-death suit, and the trial of the Chicago Seven.

Because the authors chose to include all the courtroom interruptions in the transcript, the Manson summation makes for especially lively reading. Manson and his codefendants repeatedly spoke out of turn during prosecutor Vincent Bugliosi's statement, saying things like "You are going to be eaten up by your own lie" and "Even if I have never been in the Gotham Bank!" Bugliosi's speech is among the most eloquent in the collection, which is why it is so stunning when one of the defendants provokes him so much that he loses his cool and calls her a name that rhymes with rich.

Although the title promises the "greatest closing arguments in modern law," some of the speeches seem to have been chosen because they were connected to important cases rather than because of their own rhetorical merits. However, the cases themselves are interesting, and these transcripts bring them to life better than any summary would. This collection should be of interest to anyone in the legal profession. --Jill Marquis

Book Description

Clarence Darrow saves Leopold and Loeb from the gallows in the Roaring Twenties. Gerry Spence takes on the nuclear power industry for the death of Karen Silkwood in a modern-day David and Goliath struggle. Vincent Bugliosi squares off against the madness of Charles Manson and his murderous "family" in the aftermath of their bloody spree. Clara Foltz, the first woman to practice law in California, argues passionately to an all-male jury, defending her place in the courtroom. Bobby DeLaughter brings the killer of civil-rights leader Medgar Evers to justice after thirty years and two mistrials. Aubrey Daniel brings Lt. William Calley, Jr., to justice for the My Lai massacre. William Kunstler challenges the establishment after the '68 Chicago riots in his defense of yippie leaders known as the Chicago Seven.

Each closing argument is put into context by the authors, who provide historical background, a brief biography of each attorney, and commentary, pointing out the trial tactics used to great effect by the lawyers, all in language that is jargon-free for the benefit of the lay reader.

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Until now, only the twelve jurors who sat in judgment were able to appreciate these virtuoso performances, where weeks of testimony were boiled down and presented with flair, wit, and high drama. For five years the authors researched every archive from those of the L.A. Times to the dusty stacks of the National Archives in Washington, D.C., and readers can now lose themselves in the summations of America's finest litigators. Clarence Darrow saves Leopold and Loeb from the gallows in the Roaring Twenties. Gerry Spence takes on the nuclear power industry for the death of Karen Silkwood in a modern-day David and Goliath struggle. Vincent Bugliosi squares off against the madness of Charles Manson and his murderous "family" in the aftermath of their bloody spree. Clara Foltz, the first woman to practice law in California, argues passionately to an all-male jury, defending her place in the courtroom. Bobby DeLaughter brings the killer of civil-rights leader Medgar Evers to justice after thirty years and two mistrials. Aubrey Daniel brings Lt. William Calley, Jr., to justice for the My Lai massacre. William Kunstler challenges the establishment after the '68 Chicago riots in his defense of yippie leaders known as the Chicago Seven. Each closing argument is put into context by the authors, who provide historical background, a brief biography of each attorney, and commentary, pointing out the trial tactics used to great effect by the lawyers, all in language that is jargon-free for the benefit of the lay reader.

Customer Reviews:

Celebrity cases, mostly of the left - certainly not the "greatest.".......2006-06-10

The authors claim that these "greatest closing arguments in modern law" were chosen for the "quality of [their] summation, as well as for [their] historical significance." The immediate question is who is judging the quality of the summation and, more importantly, their historical significance?

The view here is obviously that left-wing causes have the most historical significance, though some cases, such as Nuremburg, are politically neutral. Clarence Darrow's summation in behalf of two young men who brutally murdered another is an argument against the death penalty. Many would consider the resulting verdict an injustice, compounded by early release of one of the murderers. Also, the fact that the case was argued in a Cook County, Illinois courtroom, one of the most corrupt jurisdictions in the nation, casts the power of this closing argument into doubt since the parents of the murderers were wealthy and in Cook County, money has always spoken loudly even when passed in silence from one hand to another.

Gerry Spence is without a doubt one of the most eloquent and effective litigators in the nation. But the science his Silkwood argument rests upon is, to some, suspect as were the alleged facts.

The closing arguments are presented with a wrapping of context, though it is a bit on the light side. With that in mind, the closing defense argument in the John DeLorean case is truly great, cataloging a series of government misdeeds. But the reader searching for political balance may be troubled by equally meritorious closing arguments in the Rosenberg and Alger Hiss cases.

Vincent Bugliosi's closing in the case against Manson and his followers is competent, but isn't great. It is a narrative that virtually any competent prosecutor could have put together. The Manson case involved celebrities, but otherwise wasn't much different than many murder cases of the same nature: groups of people motivated to murder. Johnny Cochran's closing in the O. J. Simpson case was far more powerful, in my opinion, far outclassing Bugliosi in persuasiveness.

The inclusion of Robert Jackson's closing at Nuremberg is puzzling. It was not an American trial. The guilt of the accused was beyond doubt, though law underpinning the tribunal was not. From the commentary, I derived the feeling that the authors were trying to rescue Jackson's reputation from his disastrous cross examination of Hermann Goering.

William Kunstler, in the opinion of many, was a living insult to the practice of law. The authors describe his closing in the Chicago Seven case as a "four-part clinic in how to excel in persuasive argument." Others might see it and Kunstler's behavior in a circus presentation of how to flout the law. All of Kunstler's clients were convicted: so much for the persuasiveness of his argument. The convictions were overturned owing to the trial judge's behavior. Again, this was in Cook County, Illinois where for many years both the state and federal judiciaries were of abysmal quality, products for the most part of the Democratic political machine. (Many of the "murderers" convicted under the current Chicago Mayor, Richard M. Daley, had their convictions overturned because DNA testing became available. At least one Cook County judge accepted bribes to free a murderer. Great place.)

The authors note that it is probably "terribly presumptuous" of them to choose the ten greatest arguments - and they are correct. They admit to choosing only "noteworthy" trials . . . and it is there that they blinded themselves to a far wider range of great closing arguments.

All the arguments are interesting and all the lawyers who made them were clearly eloquent, so more so than others. But to call these ten the greatest in modern law? I think not.

Jerry

If your idealism is waning, this book will help you find it!.......2005-02-16

After years of arguing caseslaw, motions, picking juries, interviewing witnesses, going through all the day to day protocol that trial work demands, one may forget at times how important is the job of a lawyer. But this book reminds the practioner that he/she is a part of a wonderful system of justice. Not many cases will go down as "The Greatest" but to your clients, it is often the defining moment of their lives. And this book helps you reconnect to the reasons why you sought a lifetime devoted to the noblest of professions.
Reading about the great lawyers of in our history is humbling and worthwhile. Reflection is helpful as you try to regain a little lost idealism. And if you are a new lawyer and have all of you ideals from law school still in tact, reading this book will help you realize how important it is to never lose them. Great book for lawyers and non-lawyers alike.

A worthwhile read for a trial attorney.......2004-08-20

If only for Spence's closing in the Silkwood case, this book is worth every penny. A real thing of subtle and effective beauty, that closing contains so many incredible and useful techniques, it's just plain stunning. The subtle allignment of Spence to the jurors in groups in which Spence and the jurors can work together are wonderful and powerful -- Spence places himself and the jurors by turns in a self built retirement community, and in the class of local state citizens all the while emphasizing that the cause of the need for retirement and the genesis of Spence's new found home state membership is the defense's prolongation of trial -- wonderful. The rhyming "if the lion gets away, Kerr McGee must pay" is hard-to-forget and masterfully so. The analysis that proceeds each transcript is useful and informative. Buy it if you can.

Legal History.......2001-02-19

Describing or reading a speech is like describing color. I guess you can do it, but nothing is the same as being there and listening and experience a great speech. There is a poetry to the delivery which is missing from a dry read. Yet, if you want to read some of the great closes from the past, this is a good place to start.

This books picks 10 closing arguements which the authors state are the greatest of history. Whenever you have such a book, of course, people will differ on which closes should be included. By necessity, for mass appeal, oftentimes "famous" speeches, which may not be so great will be included while less famous speeches, which were much better, will not be the cut. I thought the ones chosen, overall, were very good.

Personally I liked the ones I read. My favorite was Clarance Darrow's close in the Leopald and Loeb case. It was great because it was effective. Everyone in this case knew they were guilty and wanted them to die. How did Clarence Darrow change the judges mind? It was in his words and his delivery. This was an effective speech.

There are others here which I also found very good. We hear the closing speech from the Nuremberg trials (which I would not have included because I think the win was almost preordained), the close in the Karen Silkwood civil case, the DeLorean defense close and six others. This is a good book and a good read. I would recommend it most to history fans, but I think some of the general public would also enjoy it.

Spellbinding.......2000-12-30

Ladies and Gentlemen... kills two birds with one stone by providing an eduactional and intruiging experience. You will hit your curiousity spot by learning what the landmark trials of the United States were all about, and you will also get locked into some of the most persuasive literature I have ever seen.

While those who are interested in the legal field are virtually guaranteed to be interested in reading Ladies and Gentlemen..., you don't need to be anything close to a lawyer to appreciate this. This anthology of closing arguments teaches the reader how to connect/communicate with others. After reading a series of closing arguments, I learned different strategies to use to relate to a group of people to get my point across (in this case, a jury). This book is great to any businessman, negotiator, or even those who want to improve their basic social, everyday, oral skills.

I just bought this book for ten of my friends for the past holiday season, and I got star reports from all of them. I recommend this innovative book to all types of readers.

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"E-Book Extra: The Quotable Courtroom

Drawing from some of the most well-known courtroom cases of our time, this rich and rewarding volume collects more than two dozen of the most memorable opening and closing arguments made by top prosecutors and defense attorneys in the last 100 years. Carefully selected to explore every major aspect and challenge of the legal process, the speeches showcased here highlight the tactics and strategies, colorful language, and stirring rhetoric that lawyers use to win judge and jury to their side.

With a shrewd eye for courtroom stratagems and a keen understanding of the social currents that shape them, Manhattan assistant district attorney Joel Seidemann introduces and illuminates each speech from an insider's perspective. From an Israeli prosecutor's heart-wrenching speech against Adolf Eichmann to the chilling reenactment of Timothy McVeigh's meticulous planning of the Oklahoma City bombing, we witness the power of an impassioned presentation to tip the scales toward the fulfillment of justice.

Arguments from other landmark trials are included to reveal the smartest tricks of the trial lawyer's trade. Why did O.J. win the criminal case and lose the civil one? Why did the jury acquit the cops who shot Amadou Diallo, even though they fired forty-one shots at an unarmed man? Why was Sean ""Puffy"" Combs acquitted of all charges after that mysterious shootout in a NYC nightclub? In the Interest of Justice sheds light on such questions and celebrates the fascinating art of courtroom persuasion."

Customer Reviews:

Came up a tad short of its goal..........2006-06-13

This book was a good read for a dreary return flight from DC. It falls short of the promise of its title. That said, every opening and closing statement in this book contained a valuable lesson for trial attorneys, and each statement makes a compelling read. I give this book 3 stars because it doesn't quite live up to its title. Perhaps "Some Really Cool Openings and Closings I liked" would've been a more appropriate title for the book.

Superb snapshot of 20th century legal cultural literacy.......2005-06-19

With the rapid growth of sensationalist legal coverage on TV news and primetime courtroom drama a la "The Practice", it can be difficult to understand fully the merits of a good trial lawyer's rhetorical virtuoso aside from the twists, turns, and socio-political backdrop which typically capture Americans' attention. With few exceptions, (e.g. Scopes trial, O.J. Simpson trial) the lawyer, that civic advocate and protector of justice, rarely receives deserved recognition. We sit collectively on the edge of our seats with eyes and ears pealed for damning witness testimonies and blood-stained clothes. Evidence is rarely that clear, Seidemann informs us, and most real life cases turn on the efficacy of the lawyer. This book renews our appreciation for a profession derided so often for its dishonesty that we have forgotten the sad and dangerous implications behind the humor. Within these pages of heartwrenching tragedies and controversies that rocked our nation, you will surely reexperience memories of the incidents as the opening/closing statements verify or challenge what you believe. Seidemann reminds us that we have conferred upon lawyers the great responsibility of juridicial guardianship, in order to shake us out of complacency and reaffirm our right to demand their rectitude and loyalty to their oath.

For Generation Y and the Millenials, "In the Interest of Justice" should be required reading for the oft neglected legal aspect of cultural literacy. Direct accounts of the gruesome atrocities perpetuated by Adolph Eichmann and the SS, Johnny Cochran's convoluted deconstruction of the Simpson evidence, the Bernard Goetz incident, and the unmitigated hatred of Zacharias Moussaoui in his own words far exceed detached summaries of such pivotal moments in the American psyche. Though older generations have understood and internalized their meaning by living through these events, imperceptibly they seem to hold less and less power as time goes by and new leaders of society step up to the fore. Hopefully, this book will spur other writers to popularize equally important judicial landmarks with the same care to the preservation of the primary evidence and with similar astute and fair explanations. These are more than exciting cases and history lessons: Seidemann compels us to consider personally the merits and risks of the sometimes flawed but inviolable bedrock of American freedom and security: its criminal justice system.

You can't put this book down.......2005-01-16

In the Interest of Justice is a great book.

I just spent 4 hours on a delayed flight. I am glad I had the book with me. It is a very interesting book, especially for non-lawyers.

A Book of enormous importance to aspiring trial lawyers.......2004-12-25

One thing that caught my eye is the different ways Jay Goldberg was able to change approaches from that of humor in they Bess Meyerson case to biting summation in a case involving Sammy "The Bull" Gravano. It seems to me few lawyers (if any) are able to recognize that according to Mark Twain "a laughing jury seldom convicts". But then again, you have to have inborn capacity to switch approaches that would result in laughing a case out of court and then approaching another case with complete hostility to an adversaries witness. My kudos go to the author as well as to Mr. Goldberg.

In the Jury Box.......2004-12-06

Seidemann has chosen excerpts of opening and closing arguments from some of the most important and famous cases of the last century. But thecases were not chosen merely because they are famous; the arguments are often extremely eloquent and moving. Reading these lawyers' arguments trying sway the jury conveys more emotion and makes these cases more immediate and real than any documentary could. It gives a sense of what it must have been like to be in the jury box deciding these cases.

It is interesting to see the different styles the lawyers use. The prosecutors' somber, reverential tone in his opening argument in the trial against Adolph Eichmann contrasts sharply with Gerry Spence's homespun approach in his summation in the Karen Silkwood case, but both lawyers seem to hit the perfect note.

In his commentary, Seidemann, a prosecutor in Manhattan, sets the stage for each case and highlights the strategies and techniques employed. His explanations provide an excellent insight into the lawyer's craft. Surprisingly, this book reads like a novel, but it also provides a unique opportunity to get inside the courtroom and learn 20th century history through these cases.

Average customer rating:

Closing Arguments: The Last Battle
Fredric G. Levin
Manufacturer: Seville Publishing Co., Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Civil Procedure | Procedures & Litigation | Law | Subjects | Books

All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books

Professional | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
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Ladies And Gentlemen Of The Jury: Greatest Closing Arguments In Modern Law
Win Your Case: How to Present, Persuade, and Prevail-Every Place, Every Time
Theater Tips and Strategies for Jury Trials
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Courtroom Psychology and Trial Advocacy

ASIN: 0964971135

Book Description

There have been far too few practical trial advocacy books written by seasoned trial lawyers. Too often the books that fill the shelves of most law offices have a heavy emphasis on esoteric theory and a scarcity of nuts and bolts material that is actually useable in a true-to-life trial setting. These three very experienced trial lawyers have delivered a trial-ready guide that positively will improve the skills and technique of any lawyer who makes his or her living in a courtroom.

Closing Arguments (Ballantine Reader's Circle)

Average customer rating:

Strange but good.
Not As Billed!
Battles, Battles Everywhere
The real action is not in the courtroom
Disturbing.

Closing Arguments (Ballantine Reader's Circle)
Frederick Busch
Manufacturer: Ballantine Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

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A Memory of War: A Novel

ASIN: 0449907503
Release Date: 1993-02-10

Book Description

Marcus Brennan is a successful small-town lawyer on the verge of a breakdown. His wife, Schelle, thinks it’s post-traumatic stress disorder from his years as a POW in Vietnam. Planning the dedication of a memorial for Vietnam soldiers, she asks Marcus to say a few words at the ceremony, hoping the experience will help to exorcise his demons. But after agreeing to defend Estella Pritchett, a social worker accused of murdering her lover, Marcus begins a downward spiral into the murky depths of his own past–where sex is violent, where love means betrayal, and where his own memories have the power to destroy him. . . .

Customer Reviews:

Strange but good. .......2006-01-30

I read this book based upon a recommendation in "Book Lust" (compendium of recommended reads) and it sounded interesting. It WAS interesting, although the style left me a little jumpy for the first half of the book. I also could not figure out how or why the protagonist got involved with his defendant, but I won't say more. It must have been good since it had me thinking for a long while, but I have read much better stories. It was disturbing, and not entirely unforgettable.

Not As Billed!.......2002-09-11

I bought this book on the basis of the title Closing Arguments and the hype "a superb piece of courtroom drama.." This book is neither. It has little, if anything to do with action in the courtroom and the "closing arguments" leave more questions than answers.

That being said, this book is an amazing look into the pysche of one rather disturbed dysfunctional male, who happens to be an attorney. However, that is the only thing about his life that is real--nothing else is. ... In fact, his own past is somehow mired in the dark side of abuse, betrayal, and destruction.

While his wife, Schelle, tries to help him deal with a past she neither knows nor understands(by dedicating a Vietnam Memorial in their hometown), Marcus chooses another remedy. He decides to exorcise his demons with the help of his current client, herself a sexually dysfunctional mess. His plan is to leave his family the "Closing Arguments" and his bloody corpse. It is the only way that he can see to extricate himself from the lifetime of lies that he has foisted upon his family, himself, and the community.

I must say, I was put off by all the sexual exploitation that occurred between Marcus and his client. It was only after I had completed the book and rethought the plot, that I realized it is indeed a finely crafted novel. I don't think I'd want too many more of these in a row though, its very dark and disturbing. But, in the final anaylis, it's worth the read. I will try anothr Busch novel before I make any final decisions on whether his writing style is something I want to spend a lot of time on.

Battles, Battles Everywhere.......2001-12-28

This was a totally engrossing book. The chapters were short but the effect was long-lasting. Nowhere have I read a more brutal/brilliant account of the American male psyche. This book will leave you thinking about bigger issues long after you've put the book down. (Can you tell that I kind of liked this books?)

The real action is not in the courtroom.......2000-12-06

This is a powerfully written book, centered around a murder trial, but also driven by the personal disintegration of a defense lawyer, Mark Brennan. A former Vietnam Vet, he flashes back continuously to war experiences. A married father of two deeply troubled children, Mark's wife Rochelle tries to pull their crumbling twenty year marriage together by building a Vietnam War Memorial in their town. The whole family has so much difficulty comunicating to eachother, that their encounters seem almost mute. Mark, in a desperate attempt to define himself, takes on the case of a woman charged with murder during "rough sex". Perhaps inevitably, he becomes involved with this woman sexually. In an effort to understand the nature of the murder, exploring the consequences when people play with limits, he becomes emeshed with her story, blending in his own childhood abuse. The story finally becomes a lonely man's explanation to his wife of his tattered emotional life. This book is not easy to read, but the protagonist flays himself before the reader, making no apologies, expecting no forgiveness.

Disturbing........1998-12-13

I have just recently become a fan of Frederick Busch. This book was very disturbing and not easily forgotten. It hung on with me for several days. Mr. Busch is not a writer to take lightly.

He has a unique understanding of human behavior. His writing style is clean, like the cut of a knife.

Book Description

From the authors of the acclaimed Ladies and Gentlemen of the Jury, and featuring some of the most important cases in criminal law, The Devil's Advocates is the final volume of a must-have trilogy of the best closing arguments in American legal history.

Criminal law is considered by many to be the most exciting of the legal specialties, and here the authors turn to the type of dramatic crimes and trials that have so captivated the public -- becoming fodder for countless television shows and legal thrillers. But the eight cases in this collection have also set historical precedents and illuminated underlying principles of the American criminal justice system.

Future president John Adams makes clear that even the most despised and vilified criminal is entitled to a legal defense in the argument he delivers on behalf of the British soldiers who shot and killed five Americans during the Boston Massacre.

The always-controversial temporary-insanity defense makes its debut within sight of the White House when, in front of horrified onlookers, a prominent congressman guns down the district attorney over an extramarital affair.

Clarence Darrow provides a ringing defense of a black family charged with using deadly force to defend themselves from a violent mob -- an argument that refines the concept of self-defense and its applicability to all races.

The treason trial of Aaron Burr, accused of plotting to "steal" the western territories of the United States and form a new country with himself as its head, offers a fascinating glimpse into a rare type of prosecution, as well as a look at one of the most interesting traitors in the nation's history.

Perhaps the best-known case in the book is that of Ernesto Miranda, the accused rapist whose trial led to the Supreme Court decision requiring police to advise suspects of their rights to remain silent and to have an attorney present -- their Miranda rights.

Each of the eight cases presented here is given legal and cultural context, including a brief historical introduction, a biographical sketch of the attorneys involved, highlights of trial testimony, analysis of the closing arguments, and a summary of the trial's impact on its participants and our country. In clear, jargon-free prose, Michael S Lief and H. Mitchell Caldwell make these pivotal cases come to vibrant life for every reader.

Customer Reviews:

To h#ll with the plea, lets try this case!.......2007-04-13

Truly amazing and inspiring, beautifully read, a must for any litigator.

Great Book.......2007-01-11

This is a great book. Not all the arguments in the book are closing arguments, some are arguments made before the Supreme Court such as in Ch. 2, but all the cases in the book are very good and fascinating. What I really love about the book is that the authors give plenty of background information on the case and the events that led up to the case. This is a must read.

Profound book about Great Law Cases.......2006-10-08

I simply cannot heap enough praise. Oh...how I wished I had this audiobook - of nineteen disks - when I studied criminal justice and trial practice in law school.

What makes this book extraordinary? The audiobook provides dramatic recreations of the great speeches before juries or stirring appellate arguments before the Supreme Court coupled with comprehensive and intelligent contextualization. The cases and arguments are explained within the framework of American history and jurisprudence. For example,in discussing the landmark case of Mapp v. Ohio which created the
exclusionary rule for evidence obtained in violation of the Bill of Rights, the authors delve into the history of the Warren Court, the biographies of the justices, the social changes in the 1960's and the entire legal history of search and seizure from the days before the American Revolution to the time of the argument and beyond. Yes, it is the marvelous background and explanation that makes this a five star book. Thinking of a gift for that young adult who just took her LSAT or gained admission to an Ivy League law school? This is IT.

The Devil's Advocates: Greatest Closing Arguments in Criminal Law, Library Edition

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The Devil's Advocates: Greatest Closing Arguments in Criminal Law, Library Edition
Harry M. Caldwell
Manufacturer: Blackstone Audiobooks
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: MP3 CD

General | Criminal Law | Law | Subjects | Books

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Legal History | Perspectives on Law | Law | Subjects | Books

Reference | Law Practice | Law | Subjects | Books

Trial Practice | Procedures & Litigation | Law | Subjects | Books

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Law | MP3 CD | Audiobooks | Formats | Books

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ASIN: 0786175036

Average customer rating:

Effective closing argument
Peter C Lagarias
Manufacturer: Michie Co
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

Argument Slides: Quick Mastery of Exhibits for Cross and Closing (Easytech Series)

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Argument Slides: Quick Mastery of Exhibits for Cross and Closing (Easytech Series)
Deanne C. Siemer , and Frank D. Rothschild
Manufacturer: National Institute for Trial Advocacy
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Spiral-bound

Depositions | Procedures & Litigation | Law | Subjects | Books

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Beyond Bullet Points: Using Microsoft PowerPoint to Create Presentations That Inform, Motivate, and Inspire (Bpg-Other)

ASIN: 1556818459

Book Description

Argument Slides, the second volume in NITA's EasyTech series, demonstrates how to create electronic displays for cross-examination and closing argument using PowerPoint® 2002. In most trials, the final presentation to the jury will be more effective with the addition of visual support. Likewise, cross-examination can also be enhanced by argument slides in certain cases.

The argument slides discussed in this book have wide applicability for all kinds of civil and criminal cases. They have proven jury appeal, providing good learning platforms for facts that are unfamiliar to jurors. These designs also give you a head start in thinking about ways to present arguments, and a good point of departure for designing slides specially tailored to the needs of a particular case.

Deanne C. Siemer and Frank D. Rothschild examine two basic types of argument slides: designs that are essentially argument, such as weight of the evidence slides, relationship charts, yes-no checklists, decision tree charts, and relative merit charts; and ordinary slides used for opening statements and direct examination, such as bullet point lists, photos, documents, and diagrams and charts, that become argument slides if decorated with argumentative words, animation, color, cropping, or other presentation techniques that sell a point of view.

For those who need a reminder about basic PowerPoint operations, the Quick Reference chapter at the end of the book summarizes basic PowerPoint 2002 terms and techniques.

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