This book is about the biggest miscarriage of justice in American history! It brings shame to some of the legal profession and politicians of the time and was the harbinger of ballistics and forensic science in America. Based of historical fact it tells the story of a somewhat slow witted farm hand , Goerge Stielow of German descent, who is accused and found guilty of the murder of his boss and his housekeeper in 1915, a difficult time as war with Germany was in full swing!
He was coerced into making a confession, by officials of the county, keen for a quick conviction to enhance their own political careers, evidence was hopelessly incorrect, witnesses were offered incentives to stretch the truth, and supposedly expert witnesses were absolutely useless at giving clear and accurate evidence.
The case went on for 3 long years, with Steilow, at risk of the electric chair for most of that time. He was reprieved 4 times! It cost Orleans County thousands of dollars and brought shame to many connected to the case.
A really fascinating read, which takes your breath away, sometimes with the injustices brought to the fore. Although having said that there are a few heroes in the telling of the story who refused to give up and allow an innocent man to go to the electric chair, and who realized that a new system of forensic science was what was needed to stop this happening again.
I can highly recommend this to anyone interested in not only history, but the legal profession and who enjoys a story of the little man winning in the end!! ( )