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Brain Damage: A Juror's Tale: The Hammer Killing Trial
On January 14, 2009, Marissa DeVault killed her husband, Dale Harrell, by striking him multiple times on the head with a hammer. It seemed like a simple case of murder, but questions remained. Was Dale Harrell a hapless, innocent victim of a brutal killing, or was this the final act of a desperate woman who had suffered through years of domestic violence? The fact that the incident took place in a middle class suburb of Phoenix, Arizona, with the couple’s three children within the property at the time, meant nothing. The questions for the jury were simple. Was the killing premeditated or was it an act of self defense? Was it done for financial gain? Should the defendant pay for her crime with her life, should she be incarcerated for twenty-five years to life, or should she receive a life sentence with no chance of parole? Author Paul Sanders was Juror #13 in a trial packed with twists and turns. He sat every day in court, in a trial which got deep inside the day-to-day lives of a family and eventually delivered justice to a victim. Read this remarkable true story now and make up your own mind as to the truth behind the Hammer Killing Trial. Amazon “Mr. Sanders is a brilliant writer. You feel like you are right in the courtroom with him…” “This is a must-read for any avid trial watcher!” “Brain Damage is a very interesting journey through a death penalty trial. It made me want to be a juror!” Also,Paul’s book, Banquet of A Juror’s Plight (Book 3 - A Juror’s Perspective) has received many • 2018 eLit Awards Gold Medal Winner – True Crime • 2018 International Books Awards Silver Medal Awards – Historical • 2018 “Best Book” Award Winner Finalist – True Crime • 2018 “Reader’s Favorite – Five Stars • 2018 Florida Book Festival Award Winner – Non-Fiction • 2018 London Book Festival Award Runner-Up – Non-Fiction • 2017 The Halloween Book Festival Award Winner – Non-Fiction • 2017 Southern California Book Festival Award Winner – Non-Fiction Also Written By Paul Sanders Banquet of A Juror’s Plight The Carnation Murders Trial of Michele Anderson (2017) Why Not Kill A Juror’s Perspective The Jodi Arias Death Penalty Retrial (2016) Secret Life of a Voir Dire The Domestic Violence Query (2018) Beyond the Rogue Juror The Death Penalty Trial of Joseph McEnroe (Coming 2020)
- GenresTrue CrimeNonfiction
382 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 21, 2014
156 people are currently reading
94 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
December 8, 2017
This writer was extremely unlikable. His writing was sophomoric and his outlook more than a skosh ingratiatingly brown-nosy. He was annoyingly repetitive and self-important. Further, I found the details he chose to include to be peculiar. I enjoy the idea of a trial from the juror’s perspective, but the personal interjections were not at all interesting. I wasn’t really concerned about what other jurors were having for lunch, or whether the wrapper of Halls cough drops make a crinkling sound upon being unwrapped, for instance. I very much question his judgment regarding where to insert himself into the story: I realize he’s the writer so he has the privilege to say what he wishes, but when I read, I’d prefer not to feel like a captive audience. If he were to insert himself into the story in an insightful way that didn’t read like a teenager’s journal it would have been more effective. Not at all a well-written, nor well-edited book, but a decent account of the trial itself. And the author gets his Superman cape for his influence in deliberation. I hope I’m never trapped in a room with such a pontificator. My ending decision was to give up after reading 60 percent of the book and read about the trial on Wikipedia: I just couldn’t take him anymore.
November 13, 2017
Well written
I must admit I did not know what to expect from this book as it is the first book I have ever read coming from a juror's perspective. But I must admit I found it well written and interesting. While I do wish more detail on the crime itself was available I also wish there was more information in this book on the victim and the person responsible.
While I did enjoy it from the juror's perspective I still find myself with a lot of questions. But one thing this did help with is understanding what a juror sees or is able to see. Now maybe it will be easier to understand where they come from at times!!!
This was a different read for me but I will def at least try again and see if next time I am more satisfied! As I said I just needed more details in a book about a murderer and victim! But this is a different view I will just have to get use to! I will def read another book! And I think this book is def worth reading!! Hope you enjoy it!
I must admit I did not know what to expect from this book as it is the first book I have ever read coming from a juror's perspective. But I must admit I found it well written and interesting. While I do wish more detail on the crime itself was available I also wish there was more information in this book on the victim and the person responsible.
While I did enjoy it from the juror's perspective I still find myself with a lot of questions. But one thing this did help with is understanding what a juror sees or is able to see. Now maybe it will be easier to understand where they come from at times!!!
This was a different read for me but I will def at least try again and see if next time I am more satisfied! As I said I just needed more details in a book about a murderer and victim! But this is a different view I will just have to get use to! I will def read another book! And I think this book is def worth reading!! Hope you enjoy it!
January 26, 2018
Annoyingly childish.
While I did read all the way to the end, there were times I was tempted to give up. Grammatical errors and improper use of the past and present tenses made for very difficult reading. The writer spent a lot of time tying the trial into his own personal experiences when, from the reader's perspective, there didn't seem to be that many similarities between his life and those of the accused and her family. I read to the end because what goes on behind the closed jury room door intrigues me, and the writer did a fair job of portraying it. I will not, however, read further books by this author.
While I did read all the way to the end, there were times I was tempted to give up. Grammatical errors and improper use of the past and present tenses made for very difficult reading. The writer spent a lot of time tying the trial into his own personal experiences when, from the reader's perspective, there didn't seem to be that many similarities between his life and those of the accused and her family. I read to the end because what goes on behind the closed jury room door intrigues me, and the writer did a fair job of portraying it. I will not, however, read further books by this author.
May 25, 2018
An In-depth look at the juror process
I have never served on a jury so this account was a revealing look into the process, confusion, expectations, and behind the scenes of jury selection and the serving on a criminal trial. This book held my attention and provided an insightful look into the workings of the court. The author was thorough in his explanations and allowed the reader see the healing he experienced in his own child abuse. The only negative thing I can say about this book is there was not good editing done as there were several glaring mistakes in the language, grammar, and/or typos. Overall an excellent read.
I have never served on a jury so this account was a revealing look into the process, confusion, expectations, and behind the scenes of jury selection and the serving on a criminal trial. This book held my attention and provided an insightful look into the workings of the court. The author was thorough in his explanations and allowed the reader see the healing he experienced in his own child abuse. The only negative thing I can say about this book is there was not good editing done as there were several glaring mistakes in the language, grammar, and/or typos. Overall an excellent read.
April 1, 2018
The author did a fine job of describing each step in the judicial process, every person in the court room, how they looked and behaved, and his impression of what type of person they each were. He also voice many questions about the events and the motives of defendant, witnesses, judge, and attorneys. Some questions were answered later in the book, and some remain a mystery to both author and reader. Overall it was very engaging, and made me feel like I was right there in the court room too.
June 7, 2018
Inside a jury
I found a deeper understanding of the duties, stress, and everlasting impact of those who serve in critical trial juries. The first person telling view served well in the telling of the experience of a juror and the formation his eventual verdict. I would have liked a more complete character development of the other jurors but realize the book would have been too lengthy. It would be an interesting twist to have each juror have a chapter to reveal their view more completely. Very interesting read.
I found a deeper understanding of the duties, stress, and everlasting impact of those who serve in critical trial juries. The first person telling view served well in the telling of the experience of a juror and the formation his eventual verdict. I would have liked a more complete character development of the other jurors but realize the book would have been too lengthy. It would be an interesting twist to have each juror have a chapter to reveal their view more completely. Very interesting read.
September 16, 2017
Very interesting
perspective...I was torn as to how to rate this as there were parts I personally did not understand, as though the author fully understood his point but didn't make it as clear to the reader....I still give it four stars because it was very insightful. The justice system is a strange and complicated mechanism and hopefully prevails, no matter the state in which one lives!
perspective...I was torn as to how to rate this as there were parts I personally did not understand, as though the author fully understood his point but didn't make it as clear to the reader....I still give it four stars because it was very insightful. The justice system is a strange and complicated mechanism and hopefully prevails, no matter the state in which one lives!
November 19, 2017
Interesting
Good read coming from a different view. I look forward to reading more from Paul Sanders, as his writing style will only get better and better with each work. Nice job Paul on both being a juror and an aythir
Good read coming from a different view. I look forward to reading more from Paul Sanders, as his writing style will only get better and better with each work. Nice job Paul on both being a juror and an aythir
January 16, 2018
Well written. You feel like you know the characters or at least someone very much like them.
A new author to me but I'm ready for more. He writes with insight to the feelings and experiences of the audience.
A new author to me but I'm ready for more. He writes with insight to the feelings and experiences of the audience.
February 4, 2018
Very interesting.
Very interesting read. It was a little long as some parts had some filler information. Other than that it was great. It gave good insight on the judicial process from a juror's standpoint.
Very interesting read. It was a little long as some parts had some filler information. Other than that it was great. It gave good insight on the judicial process from a juror's standpoint.
February 22, 2018
This was a very interesting book that moved along at a good pace.
The author was clear and gave a good descriptions in how they got to their decisions. Paul included both the good and bad.
The author was clear and gave a good descriptions in how they got to their decisions. Paul included both the good and bad.
March 4, 2018
Starts off great, but goes too long and gets boring
I started off really loving it. A little over half way through it got boring....to many little details. I literally forced myself to finish it.
I started off really loving it. A little over half way through it got boring....to many little details. I literally forced myself to finish it.
March 26, 2018
Inside view of jury deliberations.
A little long. The story could have been told concisely. Author had to much of his own bio. Still, worth the read if you like courtroom insider perspective. I would give 3 1/2 if I could.
A little long. The story could have been told concisely. Author had to much of his own bio. Still, worth the read if you like courtroom insider perspective. I would give 3 1/2 if I could.
May 23, 2018
A very good read
Really takes you into the courtroom and in the jury box as jurors try to balance the scales of justice in their very hands. Personal, intriguing and well written. Excellent!
Really takes you into the courtroom and in the jury box as jurors try to balance the scales of justice in their very hands. Personal, intriguing and well written. Excellent!
July 16, 2019
Well told story
Art first I didn't realize I was reading a true account of a trial. But then I started thinking this is so well researched and that's when I realised. This is a tale of something horrific but so well written and a great insight into the legal system
Art first I didn't realize I was reading a true account of a trial. But then I started thinking this is so well researched and that's when I realised. This is a tale of something horrific but so well written and a great insight into the legal system
July 31, 2020
Very interesting read from a jurors perspective
This was an accidental find on my kindle. It was a very interesting story about a horrible murder from the perspective of one of 15 jurors and alternates. The authors back story and how it influenced him during deliberations is an unusual bonus. I would say that the writing required some editing , however.
This was an accidental find on my kindle. It was a very interesting story about a horrible murder from the perspective of one of 15 jurors and alternates. The authors back story and how it influenced him during deliberations is an unusual bonus. I would say that the writing required some editing , however.
August 27, 2017
Fantastic
This is a must read, for anyone who is chosen to serve on a jury. I have served, and what the author depicts is true.
This is a must read, for anyone who is chosen to serve on a jury. I have served, and what the author depicts is true.
January 11, 2018
Awesome
Talk about an inside look. It really made me stop, think and appreciate all the time and work a jury puts in. Excellent read for anyone
Talk about an inside look. It really made me stop, think and appreciate all the time and work a jury puts in. Excellent read for anyone
January 14, 2018
Good book on the inside workings of the court room. I appreciated the amount of information and commentary from a juror.
June 21, 2018
Excellent
This is a story of a lying woman who felt she was just in her actions, she destroy many lifes. May she be haunted for the test of her life for the pain she caused
This is a story of a lying woman who felt she was just in her actions, she destroy many lifes. May she be haunted for the test of her life for the pain she caused
July 17, 2018
Engaging
The process of the jury deliberations was truly interesting. I do not think I would have kept my emotions separated like this jury did.
The process of the jury deliberations was truly interesting. I do not think I would have kept my emotions separated like this jury did.
October 10, 2018
Grusome
July 20, 2025
An interesting saga of a trial as seen through the eyes of a juror.
December 22, 2014
True Crime done well
A heartfelt look at the justice system. The writer's infusion of personal experience with abuse makes this believable and keeps the story from sounding forced. He really needs to invest in a better proofreader. There were many grammatical errors as well as a couple of duplicated paragraphs that any proofer should catch immediately.
A heartfelt look at the justice system. The writer's infusion of personal experience with abuse makes this believable and keeps the story from sounding forced. He really needs to invest in a better proofreader. There were many grammatical errors as well as a couple of duplicated paragraphs that any proofer should catch immediately.
January 9, 2015
Murder from a different angle
This book was very well written from a jurors point of view. I loved the way the story played out and it was really interesting hearing how a jury thinks and reacts.
This book was very well written from a jurors point of view. I loved the way the story played out and it was really interesting hearing how a jury thinks and reacts.
September 13, 2018
I love this & I can't wait for more.
I will be also leaving a review on Goodreads @ Amazon.
And letting everyone know about it.
So i gave it a 5 Stars.
I will be also leaving a review on Goodreads @ Amazon.
And letting everyone know about it.
So i gave it a 5 Stars.
abandoned
June 1, 2018didnt start didnt look interesting
Read
June 9, 2018Really good book
This was an excellent book, it had a lot of twists and turns. I learned something about the court systems. I read this book twice.
This was an excellent book, it had a lot of twists and turns. I learned something about the court systems. I read this book twice.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews