No Heroes, No Villains: The Story of a Murder Trial

by Steven Phillips

On June 28, 1972 in a South Bronx subway station, John Skagen, a white off-duty policeman on his way home, suddenly and without apparent provocation, ordered James Richardson, a black man on his way to work, to get against the wall and put his hands up. Richardson had a gun, and the two exchanged shots. In the melee that followed, Skagen was fatally wounded by a cop who rushed to the scene. In the ensuing trial, William Kunstler handled Richardson's defense and the author of this book, then assistant district attorney, prosecuted the case. Here is a first-hand, behind-the-scenes account of every step of the proceedings.

Genres: Nonfiction, Law

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1977

Reviews

[Karol Liguori · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had to read this book for my criminal law class. Maybe I’m just being biased because a prosecutor wrote it but this felt racist and sloppy. 3 stars because i think it’s an easy and accessible read for anyone not in the legal field but wants to learn a little bit about criminal law

[Julian Hunt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick read, but has not aged well in that white-cis-mansplains how the world works in the scary/dirty/brown/black Bronx way. Author is also weirdly passive-aggressive about defense attorney Kunstler. You learn maybe something of the psychology of this prosecutor, as much as about the case.

[Faith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very interesting and realistic look at the U.S. criminal justice system.

[Here · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our professor had us read it for crim pro. It was far more than what I expected, and gave me a human side to legal concepts.

[Sharudin Jamal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book 30 years ago when I was in college. It is still one of my all time favorites.

[Charles · Rating 5 out of 5]

First of all, this was a great source for learning about the criminal law process in the U.S. The case is laid out step by step from the crime that was committed, gathering of evidence, trial procedures, etc. The author lets you form your own opinions from the facts of the case. He is also the prosecutor.

[Lee · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'd gotten this book at a local university's annual book sale, only knowing that it was based on a true murder trial from the early 70's. While I did finish it, I probably wouldn't have if it was a longer book (243 pages). It was written by the prosecutor in the case and focused on the legal aspects of the case and not the human aspect, which was too analytical for me.

[Evan Harvey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting but not engrossing, recommended mainly for its early 70s NYC milieu--and a fairly damning portrait of famed defense attorney William Kunstler. The case in question offers a lot of complexity, but Phillips is determined to tell his story straight and plain.