NCJ Number
56623
Date Published
1978
Length
243 pages
Annotation
A BEHIND-THE-SCENES ACCOUNT OF A COMPLEX CASE INVOLVING THE SHOOTING DEATH OF AN OFF-DUTY POLICE OFFICER IN A SOUTH BRONX, N.Y., SUBWAY STATION IS PRESENTED BY THE ASSISTANT DISTRICT ATTORNEY WHO PROSECUTED THE CASE.
Abstract
THE VICTIM OF THE SHOOTING, A WHITE OFFICER ON HIS WAY HOME FROM WORK, SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT APPARENT PROVOCATION ORDERED THE DEFENDANT, A BLACK MAN, TO GET AGAINST THE WALL AND PUT HIS HANDS UP. THE DEFENDANT HAD A GUN, AND THE TWO EXCHANGED SHOTS. IN THE MELEE THAT FOLLOWED, THE OFFICER WAS FATALLY WOUNDED BY A UNIFORMED OFFICER WHO RUSHED TO THE SCENE. A SEVEN-COUNT MURDER INDICTMENT WAS BROUGHT AGAINST THE DEFENDANT. THE BOOK PROVIDES A DETAILED ACCOUNT OF THE FACTS AND QUESTIONS SURROUNDING THE INCIDENT AND OF THE PROCEEDINGS AND EVENTS THAT FOLLOWED. IT DESCRIBES, FROM THE PROSECUTOR'S PERSPECTIVE, EVERY ASPECT OF THE CASE: AUTOPSY, BALLISTICS, INDICTMENT, BAIL, TRIAL DELAYS, PREPARATION OF THE PROSECUTION'S CASE, PLEA NEGOTIATION, VOIR DIRE, TRIAL PROCEEDINGS, THE DEFENSE, CHARGE AND VERDICT, SENTENCE, APPEAL. THE ACCOUNT DEALS WITH THE IMPACT OF THE CASE ON MANY DIFFERENT PEOPLE, INCLUDING THE DEFENDANT, THE WIFE OF THE OFFICER WHO WAS KILLED, THE UNIFORMED OFFICER WHO SHOT THE VICTIM, THE DEFENSE ATTORNEY (WILLIAM KUNSTLER), AND THE AUTHOR HIMSELF. ALTHOUGH IT IS A NARRATIVE ACCOUNT OF ONE, HIGHLY UNUSUAL CASE AND DOES NOT PURPORT TO BE OBJECTIVE, THE BOOK PROVIDES INSIGHT INTO THE WORKINGS OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IN A MODERN URBAN SETTING AND OFFERS A SIMPLE EXPLANATION OF THE PROCESS AND PRACTICE OF CRIMINAL LAW. (LKM)