The Trial

by Lindsey Phillip Dew

What does a Latter-day Saint lawyer do when he is appointed to defend a criminal he knows is guilty of murder? John Lindsey, a young attorney and Mormon bishop, finds himself appointed by the court to do just that. During the preparation for the trial, he discovers to his horror that his defense may result in acquittal. As a lawyer, John is bound by his oath to the state to maintain secrecy, to guarantee a fair trial, and to safeguard the law; yet keeping that oath could lead to the murderer's release. Should he abandon the case? Only if he's willing to suffer the state's disciplinary action. Maybe that would be easier to face than the growing anger of the community. Or the disappointment and disbelief of his own family.

Genres: Mystery, Lds Fiction, Fiction, Lds

237 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 1988

Reviews

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the kind of LDS novel I would like to see more of -- original and thought provoking, with characters that are realistic rather than cleaned up and flattened out as if for publication in the Ensign, and a plot that goes beyond Molly hooking up for time and all eternity with Peter. The book is about ethical dilemmas, following your conscience, and the isolation prejudice creates.

A small-town bishop is appointed to defend an unconscionable murderer. How the community and his family react to his efforts to do what he thinks is right under the circumstances makes for an interesting study in human behavior.

[Donna C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Trial - the book we all need to read.

This book does justice to explaining and dissecting the rule of law for criminal trials. I'm amazed that this law is still in place after reading the whole book. Also, much thought is required to discuss the personal aspects of your moral beliefs, the legal process and good judgement. The author does a great job in his analogies, storytelling and showing the reader that the law has repercussions for "Every Man." This is an older book which should be reprinted and circulated more widely. It isn't hyped up with unnecessary blood, gore and hate speech. The language is clean and believable.

[Lisa Elkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent. Beautiful depiction of sticking to moral convictions even in the face of injustice. God watches over all & sometimes you just have to take the unpopular leap of faith

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a little slower read because there wasn't alot of action, but it had a good message. Bishop John Lindsey is a lawyer that gets assigned to a murder case by the judge. In other words he doesn't have a choice in representing the accused. The people of the city who knew the victims are outraged that he is defending the guilty, but are even more appalled when he gets them acquitted because of a technicality from the arresting officer. John struggles with doing what is legal in wanting to give an anonymous tip to the location of the weapon, but can't go against what he knows is right even if the law failed in the case for the victims. He follows through with the case and thinks that he'll have to move his family because of the boycott against him and getting more clients, but the Lord steps in and he is released from a Bishop to be put in the stake. The people of the town come around and he also has other business opportunities that come his way. He is blessed because he did what was right even when he didn't want to and the guilty walked...at least for a while.

[Rebecca · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ugghh. Sorry Dad, we are going to have to agree to disagree on this one... I didn't like it at all. I just found it so far fetched... I think it might've been better classified as a fantasy novel instead of true crime ;) I've gotta say, the Mormon citizens of Sanpete County can't have been pleased with this book when it was released... they were portrayed as nothing short of mindless idiots. I think that the premise of the book is an interesting one, but it was really poorly done here. I think I'll stick to Miss Marple & Sherlock Holmes ;)

[Greg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting, and occasionally insightful, novel about the internal struggles of a faithful man, an attorney, who is required by a court to serve as the public defender for a criminal whose crimes he abhors. At the same time, he finds his friends and community and even his family turning against him because of his efforts to fulfil his duty under the law and according to the ethics of his profession.

[Swhe641200 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have also heard this book on tape. Read it for November 2009 Bookgroup. It is written good it just makes you made that quilty people can be let go because of techicality of the arresting officer. It also make me upset about the people in the ward he attacked the secreatry and Bishop. where is our love for one another no matter what. Even the Stake President questioned. It gave a lot of insight into our shallowness to each other. We need to do better.

[Chad · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book helped me better understand the much-maligned role of defense attorney, especially in a case where they know the client is guilty: it is not (or shouldn't be) to get the client off at all costs, but rather to force the prosecutors to play by the rules and assure the rights of the accused are not violated. This helps prevent rush-to-judgment and mob rule, and keeps our justice system within the bounds of law.

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think the main reason I love this book so much is the author's voice. He makes the main character just so real. I don't normally go for Mormon fiction, but this one doesn't get too cheesy. It explores small town life and what can happen when the law prevents criminals from getting the punishment they deserve.

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting book about an LDS bishop/attorney who is called to defend a murder suspect he knows is guilty in a small town in Utah. It's very interesting to read about the reactions of the townspeople and even his family to the events that occurred. I thought his background story and the relationship he had with his wife was fascinating.

[Teresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this story was interesting to see how it would all play out. It's about an LDS Bishop Attorney who is assigned by the courts to defend a murderer and how the town responds. It makes you think...

[Shelley]

This was a book on CD, which I find is a completely different experience. I really got into this one though. It's about an LDS Bishop who is also a Lawyer and asked to defend a guilty man for a serious crime. It reminded me that I should not judge too quickly unless I need to.

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't read much LDS fiction but I enjoyed the legal angle to this one (a Mormon Bishop who is also an attorney is faced with the dilemma of representing someone guilty of murder). The underlying theme of the novel is "judge not" and it's a point well made. Quick, easy, and entertaining.

[Gena Lott · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had the opportunity to be very powerful, but missed the mark. The idea of an LDS bishop being the defense attorney for someone he feels is guilty is intriguing. But the story falls a little flat.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Assigned to defend a murderer tests Bishop Lindsay's faith to the limit. His integrity is questioned by his family and friends because of the outcome of the trial. How would I feel if my bishop had allowed a murderer to go free.

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love what this book teaches about the importance of giving every a fair trial and of law enforcers obeying the law themselves. Felt like there were some old/interesting views, so this book must be a little older. But understand people think differently in different places at different times!

[Lacey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I learned a lot about the judicial system and enjoyed the story.

[Rinda · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting how a lawyer can defend a known murderer and be judged for doing his job.

[Shaneen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a book that makes you think about how the legal system works. I felt it got a bit preachy at times, but I still enjoyed the story and the way it was written.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting. It really made you think about choosing right over wrong, and sometimes it doesn't always look like what you think.

[Ann Heiner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a good reminder that those accused of crimes need a defense lawyer. We can't assume a lawyer is crooked just because he doing his job defending someone.

[Karin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick read. You must stand firm in what you believe even when those you thought were on your side no longer are.

[Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very good and well written story

[Shauna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book makes you think about the outward appearance of a situation and look at the reality of a situation. Very good book on judging

[Mary Lou · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great story of struggle and injustice with the law.

[Julie Lowry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book, I enjoyed it.