2 comments about The Warren Commission Report: Report Of The President's Commission On The Assassination Of President John F. Kennedy.

1. WHY DID GERALD FORD "MOVE" ONE OF JOHN F. KENNEDY'S WOUNDS? WAS FORD ATTEMPTING TO CLARIFY THINGS? OR WAS HE PART OF SOME MASSIVE "COVER-UP" (AS MANY CONSPIRACY THEORISTS SEEM TO BELIEVE)?
   
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   The subject of Warren Commission member Gerald Ford "moving" the location of President Kennedy's back wound has come up quite a bit in the wake of Mr. Ford's death on December 26, 2006; with, of course, the conspiracy theorists (CTers) of the world highlighting how Ford supposedly "moved" the wound for some conspiratorial or "cover-up" purposes.
   
   But if CTers were to examine the WHOLE record of the JFK back wound (and the genesis of the Single-Bullet Theory), they'd realize that Ford's moving of the wound (on paper only, of course) actually tends to do the SBT more HARM than it does good!
   
   I hadn't really realized that fact until just recently....with this fact coming to the forefront via some JFK Forum postings written by Jean Davison (the author of the outstanding 1983 book "Oswald's Game").
   
   Why does the "Ford Move" do the SBT more harm than good, you ask?
   
   Well, for starters, there's Warren Commission Exhibit #903 (which is a photograph that shows WC counsel member Arlen Specter with a probe/rod being held next to two "stand-in" victims, simulating the path of the single bullet that almost certainly had to pass through both JFK's body and John Connally's body on 11/22/63 in Dallas, Texas).
   
   Via CE903, it can easily be seen that the metal rod does not indicate that JFK's back wound was in the "neck". It's definitely in the upper back; with an exit point JUST EXACTLY at the tie knot, perfectly matching the SBT's flight path.
   
   Most anti-SBT conspiracy believers, in their usual "everything must be faked or phony" style, scoff at CE903, claiming it proves the SBT is "impossible", for some reason....which is obviously a kooky notion, because it proves no such thing.
   
   The "Specter Holding A Rod" photo that is seen in CE903 is also in general agreement (location-wise) with the autopsy photo showing John F. Kennedy's back wound.
   
   Assassination researcher and author Jean Davison wrote the following astute and common-sense-filled comments in December 2006 and January 2007 at an Internet JFK Forum:
   
   "Both Morningstar and Kurtz claim that the entry wound HAD to be raised to the 'back of the neck' in order to make the Warren Commission's single bullet theory work. But the assertion isn't supported, it's simply a claim.
   
   "Furthermore, the claim is false, since there was no need to raise the wound into the nape of the neck. Whether one agrees with it or not, the official WC illustration of the SBT (Commission Exhibit 903) IS the WC's trajectory for the single bullet, and it doesn't require an entry in 'the back of the neck'.
   
   "I respectfully ask that you take another look at this issue. My question is still, what evidence is there that Ford made his revision in order to support the SBT?" -- Jean Davison; 12/31/2006
   
   ~~~~~~
   
   "To my knowledge, {nobody} has ever explained how moving the back wound up to THE NECK supports the SBT. Nobody CAN support it, because moving the entry to the neck would destroy the WC's SBT trajectory, not strengthen it.
   
   "Again I'll refer you to CE 903. Although Specter didn't drill a hole in the stand-in's body and drive the rod through it, had he done so, the entry would be in the upper back, not in the neck. There's a string on the wall above his hand that shows an angle of about 18 degrees -- that's the approximate angle measured by a surveyor during the re-enactment and the one the WC used for its SBT. If the rod is moved up to the neck, the bullet will exit well above the exit wound under JFK's Adam's apple.
   
   "The claim that Ford's change 'strengthens' the WC's SBT is simply not true. If I haven't made my point by now, I give up." -- Jean Davison; 01/02/2007
   
   ~~~~~~
   
   Is it any wonder why I've always loved the woman named "Jean" who wrote the above common-sense-filled remarks re. Gerald Ford, Arlen Specter, CE903, and the perfectly-logical Single-Bullet Theory?
   
   Just excellent, Jean! And thank you.
   
   David Von Pein
   January 2007



2. The Warren Report may very well be the most unfairly maligned document in U.S. History. Way too many people say that they distrust this book, and they haven't even bothered to read it. Yes, I know that we cannot trust everything our government does, and we have to be skeptical fully-informed citizens. But don't let the conspiracy buffs treat you like a bunch of foolish children. They will tell you that you are naive for believing the Warren Report, and then they will shamelessly manipulate documents and distort evidence because they know you will not bother to check their claims against the real facts. The buffs irresponsibly ignore the mountain of evidence which proves that Oswald acted alone, and they will nitpick away at every little anomaly in order to fabricate a ridiculous conspiracy theory. The men who wrote the Warren Report were earnest, fact-finding patriots, determined to uncover the truth. They were not part of a massive conspiracy or a cover-up. The book is 800 pages long, with 26 volumes of supporting evidence! How can that be considered a cover-up? This book is complete, fair, competently researched and written. I admire Posner, Jennings, and Bugliosi for their efforts to reaffirm the truth, but they really shouldn't have had to bother. The Warren Report should have silenced even the most paranoid, over-active imaginations decades ago. Maybe in a hundred years or so, people will look back on our time and wonder, "What the heck was wrong with those buffs and their silly notions?" And they will see the buffs as we see the ignorant and irrational judges who hanged innocent people in Salem.

5 comments about Cleaning Up: One Man's Redemptive Journey Through the Seductive World of Corporate Crime.

1. An autobiography detailing the creation of a business while still in high school that eventually is worth millions and then falls like a matchstick creation as it was started with fraud from beginning to end. This is the story of how that was accomplished, his time in prison where he meets the most important person in his life, and after he gets out about his failures and his acceptance of his new found accomplishments. A wonderful read!!



2. I found this to be a great read and page turner. If you enjoy reading a personal account of one living a life of dishonesty, pride, greediness, and the downfalls that come with it then this book is for you.



3. Recently I saw Barry Minkow on 60 minutes. Upon reading amazon reviews, I couldn't help but notice the outstanding ratings but I was a bit concerned that this was just another criminal who found religion and subsequently got his act together. I am a slow reader but I've got to tell, I started this book on a rainy Saturday morning and I finished it early Sunday morning -- even the college football on television couldn't subplant my interest in this story. To say that Barry has led a very interesting life would be an understatement. He doesn't make excuses and I think he recognizes his recovery is going to be lifelong process. Look, take it from a sports junkie. You want something different, something that will captivate you from page one -- then this is your book. It's not spiritual and Minkow doesn't preach, he just tells his story. Perfect book for the train, plane or a quiet weekend at home. Gotta give it 5 Stars because its only the second book I've ever read in one day (Glory Denied is the other).



4. MUST READ FOR AN INVESTOR IN STOCKS & MUTUAL FUNDS:
   I watched Barry Minkow speak at a local event in San Diego. Then, I read this book. Second part of the book is quite intriguing and enlightening. After reading the book I realized I had just avoided investing in a Ponzi Scheme simply out of my gut feel. Had I read it before, I would have notified him of a scheme in progreess. I wish Barry wrote more incidents of Ponzi Schemes and how to avoid them.
   I have recommended this book to my closed friends.



5. I would highly recomend this book to anyone!It is truly based on the redemptive spirit of man.Once you start reading you'll be hard pressed to put it down!A moving testimony to the power and possibilty of change.The Past definitely doen't appear to equal the Future!
   It will open your eys to recognizing [..]before it happens, but more importantly it will restore your faith in mankind.
   Truely well worth the read!

5 comments about Final Confession: The Unsolved Crimes of Phil Cresta.

1. Very enjoyable. I agree with other reviewers about its
   contents. My vote to play Phil Cresta in a movie is
   Robert Di Nero. Looking forward to the movie.



2. A lot of fun to read. You can't help but laugh at a lot of these true-crime stories. You just can't make this stuff up. This book would make a great movie.



3. Very well done. Will make a great movie too.



4. This is the best book I have ever read. I read it cover to cover. I could not put it down. It was fascinating, well written and riveting from start to finish. This should defintely be made into a movie. Maybe DeNiro could play Cresta!



5. Hello my name is Buddy Locatelli. I live in Fla. And i have the pleasure of riding in a taxi to south beach and the driver was a retired Boston police officer by the name of Billy Crowley. We had a conversation and on the way i asked him why he moved to Fla. He told me that he co-authored a book with a writer by the name of Brian Wallace of S.Boston about a Boston gangster named phil cresta, and after the book came out for publication they signed a movie deal with 20th century fox. After 2 yrs and 2 screenwriters hired they finally got a screenplay, but at the last minute on the last option the movie was not picked up. He had an extra copy of the book in his taxi and i read the book and was amazed about the crime scene in the Boston area. The book jumped out at me and i could not put it down. I read the book in one night I can see why 20th century fox signed it up it should be a movie.

5 comments about Auto Focus: The Murder of Bob Crane.

1. Graysmith iosn't someone you wanna listen to considering he finished his book on Bob before the trial was even finished! Leaving a ton of things out isn't the way to inform people of a murder. Auto-Focus, the movie, is filled with lies and the director has publicly admitted to putting them in to make the movie sell. The book is no different. If you wanna read the real story of Bob Crane, this isn't it. At all!



2. This is a book I came across after watching the movie "AutoFocus" which I liked very much. I read the book hoping to get into greater detail surrounding the investigation of Bob Crane's murder. The book covers Crane's social exploits in detail. This part of the book is effective and conveys the casualness of the swinger lifestyle and Crane's cavalier attitude towards women and sex. It is also a look into the celebrity worship that is deeply embedded in our culture. When Crane is murdered the police immediately suspect his friend John Carpenter who was in the vicinity the night before. Most of their evidence is circumstantial and they do not indict Carpenter until the mid-90's. This part of the book is very interesting as Graysmith does a very good job of juggling the evidence and the personalities involved in the delayed indictment.
   If there is a flaw it is that Graysmith obviously has some affection for Crane as an actor and coupled with the fact that all of his information comes from police sources the book is pretty one sided. It is obvious that Graysmith wants a conclusion to the case and he, like the officers, are quick to jump on John Carpenter as that conclusion. In the end though the evidence is flimsy, and without a solid motive, circumstantial evidence doesn't go very far. This is not a heavy criticism of Graysmith, his book is still an excellent work up of the case, and Carpenter most likely was the killer. There was reasonable doubt there and it could have been explored deeper. I recommend this book to anyone who likes good true crime, mystery, or Hollywood scandals.



3. I thoroughly enjoyed reading Autofocus. I bought the book after seeing the movie on cable. Graysmith, naturally, does a great job weaving all of the details into a fine crime novel. I have enjoyed most of his crime books and this one was no exception.
   
   Others have criticised Graysmith for focusing too much on Carpenter but after reading the book and the statements being based on fact and supported by statements from the detectives, I have to say that Carpenter really does look guilty. In saying that, I think the police departments could have done a better investigation of the case and looked more into some of the suspects mentioned in the book. It is amazing that police departments were so careless.
   
   The book doesn't go into great detail about sexual specifics and graphic sexual descriptions (this is not one of those fiction love novels!) but he gives you enough detail which leaves you shaking your head at Crane's exploits.
   
   A typically good Graysmith book and definitely worth a read.



4. He was the guy who played the lead role in history's strangest sitcom, a farce about Allied soldiers imprisoned by the Third Reich. A few years later, Bob Crane was a prisoner himself, of typecasting and a swinger's lifestyle that was not only miserable and unhealthy, but as Robert Goldsmith posits in his book "Auto Focus", ultimately fatal.
   
   
   
   Crane was bludgeoned to death in a Scottsdale, Arizona bedroom one June morning in 1978. That brought into sharp focus the sordid way he lived, using the dregs of a once-flourishing career to latch on to as many willing women he could find. Suspicion quickly centered on John Carpenter, a video guy who trolled for sex with Crane, yet the case against him was circumstantial and the horizon of others with motives too vast.
   
   
   
   "When you go out like he did, you put yourself in positions where there are very sick scenes," says Joy Claussen, an actress working with Crane at the time of his killing. "When you are that open sexually, you are that nondiscriminative in the way you pick people, you are liable to find some sick people."
   
   
   
   Originally published in 1993 as "The Murder Of Bob Crane", which became the subtitle when adapted for the screen as "Auto Focus" in 2002, Graysmith's book is poorly constructed and occasionally repetitive, but oddly hypnotic in the way it draws you into Crane's drab yet compelling world. It's like the flip side of "Boogie Nights", showing you the sad and sordid underbelly of the hot-and-horny 1970s. Like "Auto Focus" the movie, "Auto Focus" the book is explicit in its details but hardly erotic. You might prefer a vow of celibacy than living like this guy did, even minus the brutal end.
   
   
   
   KSG's earlier comment here about feeling the spores in the A/C was right on. Graysmith not only charts Crane's last days in hourly detail, but provides a 3-D floor plan of the apartment where he stayed and was murdered. What were Carpenter's swim trunks doing in Crane's place? What clue did the killer give to his identity by cutting a wire from an almost-inaccessible location to wrap around the already-dead Crane?
   
   
   
   Some criticize Graysmith's unwillingness to entertain more than one suspect seriously. It's obvious he thinks Carpenter, feeling betrayed by Crane's apparent unwillingness to continue their relationship (Crane's son Bob Jr. suggests his dad was losing his taste for the "kicks" he got with Carpenter tagging along), had the motive, and it's hard to argue with the blood-smeared rental car Carpenter left as evidence. But Scottsdale police, unused to murders, left some loose ends, and there were other worthy suspects, like angry husbands, freaky girlfriends, and a future ex-wife who stood to inherit Crane's fortune.
   
   
   
   Graysmith sucks up details like a Hoover, and doesn't synthesize well. He brings up episodes like an opening one involving a flat tire that seem to portend much but is left flapping in the breeze. Too often he seems to be paraphrasing the police report, with no commentary of his own. Yet his artless style has a certain validity in how it presents critical case facts interspersed with ephemera, leaving you to make the connections. Even his detours into the desert life of Maricopa County, and the series run of "Hogan's Heroes" years before Crane's murder, brings out aspects of the victim's life and lifestyle that resonate when you think about them.
   
   
   
   "Detectives had enough leads for a dozen murders," Maricopa County Attorney Charles Hyder declares in deciding not to pursue a case against Carpenter. Crane left a great story behind, and a life not worth emulating. "Auto Focus" is an intriguing police procedural and a worthy morality tale.



5. While the case of the murder of Bob Crane has faded from the public conscience, the plausible and implausible theories have continued to grow particularly in the advent of the internet. Robert Graysmith, best known for his books on the Zodiac killer, also has a theory on Bob Crane's murder which is included in "The Murder of Bob Crane" or the repackaged version "Auto-Focus". It is unlikely that anybody will be convicted of the murder of Bob Crane nearly 30 years after the event. So if nothing else, Graysmith has outlined a collection of the facts in this book with his theory.
   
   It is apparent in the mind of the reader who the author suspects the killer to be in this book. In the first publication, he made his case before John Carpenter ever went to trial. At times, Graysmith becomes cumbersome in his redundant recitation of the facts. The portrayal of the character of Bob Crane is thorough. Graysmith does not shy away from Graysmith's sexually promiscuous lifestyle. The background of other characters seems less clear. Little of John Carpenter is noted aside from his relationship with Crane and fellow Hogan's Heros co-star Richard Dawson. At times, Graysmith seems to suggest that Dawson may have been involved in the murder.
   
   While this is an interesting read, the evidence is largely circumstantial and does not stack up. This may be why Graysmith chose to write such a thorough history of the show Hogan's Heros in the middle chapters. While I enjoyed Graysmith's work on "Zodiac", he seems to be writing this book with one intention. However, he failed to convict Carpenter in my mind.

5 comments about Buried Memories : The Bloody Crimes and Execution of the Texas Black Widow.

1. A dead husband in the Wishing Well, another under the Shed out yonder. What attracted these guys to the poisonous web of Betty Lou Dunevant Branson Lane Threlkeld Barker Beets? (Kinda reminds one of Ray Wiley Hubbard & Jerry Jeff Walker's Betty Lou Thelma Liz, eh?) She either attempted to or did kill 4/5 of her husbands, until G.W. and the State of Texas put a final end to her. Here's a piquant possible explanation of the Texas Black Widow's allure - offered up by a law enforcement pursuer: "A dog in the hunt don't know he's got fleas."

   I read a lot of True Crime and I am happy to have encountered this author. She spins a good and balanced True Tale and her words don't get in the way. It's an addictive account (like the tabloids at the checkout, only accurately researched and reported) of one Malevolent Mama.




2. This is an arresting account of the Texas black widow, Betty Lou Beets, who became the second woman to be executed in that state since the Civil War. Then Texas Governor George W. Bush declined to intervene after the Texas Pardons and Parole Board denied her a stay of execution. So, after being tried, convicted of capital murder, and sentenced to death by lethal injection in 1985, this black widow, after a nearly fifteen year reprieve, finally got her just desserts in February 2000, when her sentence was finally executed.
   
   The book chronicles the remorseless Ms. Beets' sorry and wasted life as a wife and mother. She wasn't much of either, even though she had five children and a total of five husbands. She tried to kill four of her five husbands and actually succeeded in killing two of them quite cold-bloodedly, burying them in her backyard. To add insult to injury, she involved her poor children in her deadly schemes, turning upon them in the final analysis.
   
   This is a well-researched book, which draws heavily from court records and trial transcripts, as well as from the recollections of those who were involved in the investigation of the case, those who knew both the deceased, and those who knew Betty Lou Beets. The author has penned a very good true crime book that also contains sixteen pages of black and white photographs. Told in straightforward, narrative prose, this book is sure to engage all those who enjoy the true crime genre.



3. I love Irene Pence all of her books are fabulous . Ann Rule has always been my favorite true crime writer but I think Irene Pence is in first place now. She truly is excellent.
   All true crime fans need to read all of her books!



4. This book will make you grateful if you have or had a mother who never involved you in the planned execution style murders of her fourth and fifth husbands. Personally, I don't see anything attractive about Betty Beets even though she managed to marry five times. Her fourth and fifth husbands which included a Dallas Fire Captain known as Jimmy Don Beets was even beloved by her own children. Then there was her fourth husband, Doyle Wayne Barber, who vanished without a trace. He supposedly left her with his brand new truck. Of course, her children even though adults were forced into helping their obviously deranged evil mother into acting as accomplices. What was worse was that she tried to pin the blame of murder of her fifth husband on her own son, Robby. She had already traumatized her own children into assisting her with her crimes. Even her daughter was arrested alongside mother but she confessed to her part in burying her fourth husband. It's no wonder that Betty was found guilty of murdering her two husbands and sentenced to execution. She was the second woman in Texas to be executed since the Civil War and only after her friend and co-death row inmate Karla Fae Tucker was executed two years prior. Betty had no excuses regarding drugs like Karla. Betty was the ultimate black widow in killing only for financial rewards like the house trailer from her fourth marriage and the pension and benefits from her fifth husband. I'm not for the death penalty not even in this case because Betty's children would suffer again regardless of their situations. They had no proper role model and they loved their mother despite the harsh treatment and cruelty that she subjected them too.



5. I was browsing through the bookstore when I came across this book.I am SO glad I bought it. Betty Lou Betts was Definatly one of those Black Widows that you just cant believe.The Author Did a Wonderful job telling this story.I enjoy books that tell about the murderer and wondered what in the world made this woman tick.
   Crazy? I think she was Crazy like a Fox!
   I look forward to reading more books by this author..
   Thanks Ms.Pence..Keep em Coming!

No comments about Little Book of Forensics.

5 comments about Monster: My True Story.

1. I had a great time reading this book. Having seen the movie a few months back I decided to purchase 'Monster' to see what else went on with this story. What a tale! So much more to be known about Wournos and written by a man who has clearly had a lot of experience talking with this woman. Using his extensive interview experience with other serial killers he has created the definitive portrait Aileen Wournos. Those who enjoy reading about this kind of crime should check out 'Talking With Serial Killers' by the same author. Again, using masses of interview material Christopher Berry-Dee has produced an absolutely chilling document. And whats more, this guy can write!



2. It seems that the author (and I'm not talking about Aileen here, since she didn't write this book, no matter what Berry-Dee is trying to convince you) has taken lots of newspaper clippings and put this book together in a quick way to make money. Although it's not badly written there is something missing. There is hardly any references to her childhood and very much about her being interviewed. Lots of stuff I believe is taken from Nick Broomfield's Aileen documentaries. It's an ok read and I'm glad I got this one from the library and didn't buy it!



3. i purchased this book written by christopher berry dee,i was very very disappointed as it said on the cover aileen in her own words,there were the odd one or two quotes,as ive read sue russells book lethal intent,i could see alot of similarities in berry dee's book.as for the one of the main topics being corky reid,maybe he should have studied the case more,and not blamed aileen for his disapperance/murder,as he went into hiding to avoid large debts he had incurred.if you want a book given both sides of aileen i would not go for this book,i would purchase sue russells book



4. I actually met Corky Reid, who thought it strange, that Aileen Wuornos should take the rap for his death, when he was very much alive. Corky turned himself into the police and back to his family, very much alive and NOT THE EIGHTH VICTIM BY WUORNOS!
   How could THIS so called WRITER state he is writing a TRUE STORY, plus from the mouth of Aileen Wuornos (who obviously knew she did not kill Corky Reid!) and have such a BLUNDER as this?! The book should be taken off the shelf, or retitled, in my opinion, as it is not truthful! PLUS, I have read all the BOOKS written about Aileen Wuornos and the only one that makes any REAL STATEMENTS is LETHAL INTENT by Sue Russell, who actually met the people she writes about and QUOTES THEM!



5. I APPEAR IN THIS BOOK, BUT WHAT IS STATED ABOUT ME IS NOT TRUE; NOR DID THIS WRITER TRY TO VERIFY ANY TRUTH WITH ME.
   
   AT FIRST BLUSH, IT ALSO APPEARS THIS WRITER SIMPLY COPIED "QUOTES" FROM COURT DOCUMENTS, AND PARROTED "THOSE" AS "AILEEN WUORNOS' WORDS"; AS I SEE STATEMENTS (SUPPOSEDLY OUT OF MS. WURONOS' MOUTH) THAT WERE TAKEN (OUT OF MY MOUTH) FROM MY LEGAL DEPOSITIONS!
   
   TOO BAD THERE IS NO LEGAL RAMIFICATION FOR PLAGERISM FROM DEPOSITIONS, OR THIS WRITER WOULD BE OUT OF A JOB. AND, IN MY OPINION, DESERVINGLY SO, AS THE ONLY TRUTH IN THIS BOOK IS THE SPELLING OF THE AILEEN WUORNOS NAME.
   
   JACKELYN GIROUX

2 comments about Pure Evil.

1. I WOULD GIVE THIS BOOK 4 1/2 STARS, BUT THERE WERE NUMEROUS ERRORS IN PRINTING (IT WAS ANNOYING), I HAVE NEVER BEEN IN THEIR SITUATION, SO I CAN'T COMMENT ON HOW I WOULD HANDLE IT. I'M NOT SURE IF BEING BITTER FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE IS CONSTRUCTIVE, IT SEEMS DESTRUCTIVE.



2. This book is full of typos and bad grammar, but more that that, it is full of lies. It was my dearest friend whose daughter heard all the screaming in the road and at whose house Tracie Andrews turned up and spun her lies. It was my friend, who is ex-police, that alerted the police officers to the knife shaped blood stain on Andrew's leg. She also said that Tracie had been badly beaten up (so much for the "gentle" son Harvey tries to depict). My friend is a solicitor (attorney) and said that Andrews would have got a much lighter sentence if she'd admitted it was a domestic row that got out of hand. What she and I will never forgive Maureen Harvey for is revealing my friend's daughters' name. She is still on a protected list of witness and Harvey has blown it. Apart from anything else, it is badly written and and full of hatred - do yourself a favour, save your money and don't buy the book!

3 comments about Driven To Murder.

1. Cody Posey had a difficult childhood partly because of his father, Paul Posey, and his constant abusive behavior towards him. When he was with his mother, Cody had a much better life. Then she perished in a car accident and died right before him, he would soon return to his father, stepmother Tyrone, and stepsister Marilea who he would murder to stop the years of abuse from them whether physical, verbal, and psychological. Cody Posey's life was not envious because he was constantly subjected to work on the farms that his father was employed to care including Sam Donaldson's farm or ranch out in Hondo, New Mexico. It was there that the horror would occur. One day, Cody snapped and shot to death of his father, stepmother, and stepsister. His defense was supported by witnesses, relatives, friends, neighbors, and ranch hands who witnessed his father's unrelenting, cruel abuse towards his only son as a way to straighten him up. There is no question that Paul Posey was merciless towards his son, Cody. He was harsh, critical, and beat him every chance that Cody failed to live up to his father's expectations. Now while I understand that the stepmother and stepsister were abusive towards Cody as well but not nearly as bad as his father which makes you wonder why he turned his patricide into a triple homicide. He was not sentenced to life or death but to a juvenile facility. You can't forget that he was only 14 years old at the time of the murders but I still believe that he needs more than the juvenile facility as punishment. He should face some incarceration time. After his life with his father, the New Mexico State Prison system should be much better, easier, and a way to make up for the other losses. While I know that his stepmother and stepsister were not ideal and more of wicked than family, their deaths just don't seem right. I can't help thinking that his age and his life got him leniency when people have done just as much and have been placed on death row. I'm not advocating death penalty since it's an abysmal failure anyway. I just think that Cody deserves to serve some time as adult to pay for taking Tyrone and Marilea's lives away as well as his own father.



2. This book is a summary of the information about the Cody Posey case that was written in newspapers or reported on TV. It also includes an extensive chronological summary of the day by day court case happenings. The book ends with the sentencing verdict by the judge. If you know nothing about this case, this is a good book to read. If you followed the case closely as I did on the Internet and on Court TV, there is not a thing new that you don't already know that is in this book.



3. Much of this book was not exactly unbiased. Cody may have been a child when he committed these murders, but this child was able to function through his own cover-up. Afterwards he went swimming and galavanting with friends who later indicated that he gave no signs of what had just happened. A human being who finally snaps due to abuse does not calmly plan a cover-up. Nor does he think so clearly as to plan that the stepmother needs to be killed first so he could ambush his father and stepsister when they rushed to the house upon hearing the gunshots.
   Too much planning went into this crime. Was Cody abused? Probably he was to some extent. I truly believe the truth lies somewhere in the middle. A few years in juvy is ridiculous in this case.
   As I read through the book, I began to feel that Cody probably was a very manipulative child--one who lacks a conscience.
   There are so many books available in this genre. Many of them are much better than this one. The section on the trial really begins to drag and I found myself skimming through that part--something I rarely do with a book. You'd probably be better off selecting another book rather than this one, although is certainly is not a bad book.

4 comments about Meet Me For Murder (Pinnacle True Crime).

1. I HESITATED @ BUYING THIS BOOK, SINCE I HAD ALREADY READ A BOOK ABOUT ONE OF THE GIRLS MURDERED. I AM GLAD I WENT AHEAD WITH IT. IT WAS VERY INTERESTING ALTHOUGH VERY SAD. THE AUTHOR DID A GOOD JOB-YOU CAN JUST FEEL THE EXCITEMENT KRISTI JOHNSON MUST HAVE FELT, ONLY TO BE MURDERED. MY HEART GOES OUT TO HER FAMILY. SHE WAS SUCH A BEAUTIFUL GIRL



2. Meet Me for Murder is the combination of several photographers who are really predators ready to kill a young pretty girl. The book starts off talking about Kristine Louise Johnson who was raped and killed by one of those photographers after he claims to be casting for a James Bond film. Of course, he orders her to buy black stilleto heels and a short skirt and she meets him in the Hollywood Hills. I have seen the Dateline special entitled Murder in the Hollywood Hills. Of course, it's not the first time or the last time when a supposed photographer abducts, kidnaps, rapes, and torture unsuspecting women who aspire to be models and actresses especially in Hollywood. The author starts off with one story and goes with others and that's my problem with this book. If the author had organized it to allow the reader to read a chapter or two on one predator rather than going back and forth with the murder of Kristine Louise Johnson. Unfortunately, the author jumps back and forth and worse the L.A. District Attorney's office writes in the end of the book but it makes no sense to me to have him writing because it is going to be somewhat biased and based on the Johnson murder. Lasseter never explains why he is part of the book and that's another problem.



3. The case of Kristi Johnson, 21, who was viciously murdered when she met Victor Paleologus for a supposed modeling job centered around a James Bond script. As it turns out, not only was the job a fraud but Paleologus was a perverted psychopath with homicidal tendencies coursing through his veins.
   
   That case alone would not have made much of a story, considering that it is not all that uncommon, but the author Don Lasseter had enough forsight to relate several criminal cases very similar to Johnson's in the same book; including that of Linda Sobek, a former NFL cheerleader who was murdered in an almost identical scheme.
   
   The combination of these stories makes for one interesting book. It is definitely recommended reading for anyone who enjoys true crime!



4. If you know any young women or teen-age girls, this is a must-read. It has helped me see just how easy it is for them to fall prey to these scams. Well done.