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The Law of Innocence

The Law of Innocence
The Law of Innocence

Michael Connelly

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Synopsis


THE TRIAL OF A LIFETIME.
BUT WILL IT BE HIS LAST?


'Another masterpiece from one of the world's greatest crime writers' Express
'This is Connelly on top form ... A terrific thriller' Mail on Sunday
'Grabs you on the very first page and doesn't let go' The Times

* * * * *

Heading home after winning his latest case, defense attorney Mickey Haller - The Lincoln Lawyer - is pulled over by the police. They open the trunk of his car to find the body of a former client.

Haller knows the law inside out. He will be charged with murder. He will have to build his case from behind bars. And the trial will be the trial of his life.

Because Mickey Haller will defend himself in court.

With watertight evidence stacked against him, Haller will need every trick in the book to prove he was framed.

But a not-guilty verdict isn't enough. In order to truly walk free, Haller knows he must find the real killer - that is the law of innocence...

* * * * *

'Pick up this gripping book at your peril, especially if you have other things to do like working or sleeping.' Express

'The so-called Lincoln Lawyer ... turns in another dazzling courtroom performance' New York Times Book Review

* * * * *

"The law of innocence is unwritten. It will not be found in a leather-bound code book. It will never be argued in a courtroom. In nature, for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. In the law of innocence, for every man not guilty of a crime there is a man out there who is. And to prove true innocence the guilty man must be found and exposed to the world."

* * * * *

CRIME DOESN'T COME BETTER THAN CONNELLY.

'One of the very best writers working today' Sunday Telegraph

'The pre-eminent detective novelist of his generation' Ian Rankin

'A superb natural storyteller' Lee Child

'A master' Stephen King

'Crime thriller writing of the highest order' Guardian

'America's greatest living crime writer' Daily Express

'A crime writing genius' Independent on Sunday

Read more

Michael Connelly

Summary

Chapter 1: The Innocence Project

* In 1992, the Innocence Project was founded by Barry Scheck and Peter Neufeld after DNA testing exonerated a wrongfully convicted man.
* The Project's mission is to support those wrongfully convicted and promote criminal justice reforms that reduce errors in the system.

Example: The case of Anthony Michael Graves, who spent 18 years in prison for a murder he didn't commit. DNA testing later exonerated Graves and led to his release in 2010.

Chapter 2: Wrongful Convictions

* Wrongful convictions are widespread and have devastating consequences for individuals and society.
* Causes include flawed eyewitness testimony, prosecutorial misconduct, false confessions, and ineffective legal representation.

Example: The case of Troy Davis, who was executed in 2011 despite serious doubts about his guilt. Davis maintained his innocence until his death.

Chapter 3: Eyewitness Testimony

* Eyewitness testimony is often unreliable and can lead to wrongful convictions.
* Factors such as stress, bias, and suggestibility can distort memory and influence witness accounts.

Example: The case of Ronald Cotton, who was wrongfully convicted of rape based on eyewitness testimony that was later proven false. Cotton spent 11 years in prison before DNA testing exonerated him.

Chapter 4: False Confessions

* False confessions can occur when suspects are coerced or manipulated into admitting guilt for crimes they didn't commit.
* Interrogation tactics, lack of legal representation, and mental health issues can contribute to false confessions.

Example: The case of David Milgaard, who spent 23 years in prison for a murder he didn't commit. Milgaard confessed to the crime after being subjected to aggressive interrogation and threats of violence.

Chapter 5: Prosecutorial Misconduct

* Prosecutorial misconduct can lead to wrongful convictions by suppressing evidence, intimidating witnesses, or withholding exculpatory information.
* Prosecutors are held to high ethical standards and should not engage in conduct that undermines the integrity of the justice system.

Example: The case of Ken Anderson, a prosecutor who withheld evidence in the trial of Michael Morton. Morton was wrongfully convicted of murder and spent 25 years in prison before his innocence was established through DNA testing.

Chapter 6: The Importance of Innocence

* Preserving the innocence of the accused is paramount in a just and equitable society.
* Wrongful convictions erode public trust in the criminal justice system and have long-term consequences for exonerated individuals.

Example: The case of Amanda Knox, who was wrongfully convicted of murder in Italy and spent four years in prison before her innocence was upheld in 2015. Knox's experience raised questions about the reliability of the Italian justice system and highlighted the importance of international cooperation in protecting the innocent.