One Cut

by Eve Porinchak

Real stories. Real teens. Real crimes.

A backyard brawl turned media circus filled with gang accusations turns a small, quiet town upside down in this second book in the new Simon True series.

On May 22, 1995 at 7 p.m. sixteen-year-old Jimmy Farris and seventeen-year-old Mike McLoren were working out outside Mike’s backyard fort. Four boys hopped the fence, and a fight broke out inside the dark fort made of two-by-four planks and tarps. Within minutes, both Mike and Jimmy had been stabbed. Jimmy died a short time later.

While neighbors knew that the fort was a local hangout where drugs were available, the prosecution depicted the four defendants as gang members, and the crime as gang related. The accusations created a media circus, and added fuel to the growing belief that this affluent, safe, all-white neighborhood was in danger of a full-blown gang war.

Four boys stood trial. All four boys faced life sentences. Why? Because of California’s Felony Murder Rule. The law states that “a death is considered first degree murder when it is commissioned during one of the following felonies: Arson, Rape, Carjacking, Robbery, Burglary, Mayhem, Kidnapping.” In other words, if you—or somebody you are with—intends to commit a felony, and somebody accidentally dies in the process, all parties can be tried and convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life without parole, even if nobody had any intention of committing a murder.

What really happened that day? Was it a case of robbery gone wrong? Gang activity? Or was it something else?

Genres: Nonfiction, True Crime, Crime, Mystery

256 pages, Hardcover

First published May 2, 2017

Reviews

[Debbie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I have to agree with Lexi. I lived in Agoura at this time actually moving there a year before in 94. I had twin boys attending Agoura High at the time as freshmen. Nothing like this ever happened in Agoura therefore myself as well as others from Agoura attended this trial to see for ourselves what was really happened. I was one of many who didn't know people on either side so I had no dog in the fight you might say.
With that said I'm extremely shocked about how many blatant lies this author included in her book. Not to mention all the twisting of the actual truths she did tell. I understand she is friends with the defendants and their families and so her book was probably going to be flavored in their favor. However to just plain lie over and over I was not prepared for I honestly didn't think authors could do that.

Firstly, you kept saying that the witnesses, friends, and victims were not on trial yet you consistantly attacked them and tried to get the readers to see them in negative lights. Most notable was towards the end when you went out of your way to say Jimmy was not as good of a kid as was reported and was a bouncer for a drug dealer so he got what he basically got what he deserves. And how he dressed in black and wore boots so he must not be all that good. I'm sorry what?!!?? How dare you! Ever heard of respecting the dead? Nothing beneficial for you could come from attacking his character so shame on you is right!!
You even tried to take pot shots at Natasha and Mike's gf Stacey. Which I couldn't fathom why. Until I remember what a good witness she was. Obviously you were gonna attack anyone who helped shed light on the case and was a nail in the coffins for your friends.

I could go on but I'm not I'm getting mad all over again. I will say the if anyone wants to do the work they can look up transcripts from the trial and see immediately how untruthful this author is. How she left out the fact that every single person that testified including defendant Jason himself said that none of them were friends with Mike or Jimmy and therefore had no other reason to go over there except to try to rob them. But instead killed a 16 year old boy who was in his friends yard. Minding his own business. You don't like the felony murder law then work to change it but don't call it unfair because it is the law.
Also Micah and Jason's mom was not the saint you painted her as. Not only did we hear her verbally assault Jimmy's parents with filthy words but it also came out during trail that she had been warned for years how violent and destructive her boys were. From teachers, police, and neighbors yet she never tried to do anything about it because they got her pot to smoke.

I only take solace in noticing how few people actually read your book (aside from friends you had create fake profiles to help you, yes I noticed I'm a goodreads connoisseur) so not that many people have read your falsehoods.

[Lexi · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is written from a biased point of view and I found no value in it. The author is good friends with two of the culprits mother (Micah and Jason Holland). What she doesn't include is that those brothers as well as some of the other's had a long list of disgusting and despicable crimes against women, children, and animals. They weren't "actual" gang members they were worst. Because they were constantly trying to prove that they were scary and "badass" which caused them to do unspeakable things to try and achieve fear and respect from the community of delinquents near by. Basically they were wannabes.

I know everyone in this book and did not respond to many requests from different people over the years including this author for my point of view. Because I knew it would be spun around to fit their agenda which is to free everyone from jail. Now don't get me wrong a lot of us agree that SOME of them got way too hard of a sentence. However I'm going to end this with my 2 main points which are:

1: None of the boys that went there that day were remotely friends with Mike and Jimmy. In fact most of them were absolute enemies. So the thought that they went there for any other reason than to rob Mike is not only preposterous but impossible on every level!
2: Jason brought a knife to what he knew would be a fistfight! He pulled it out and stabbed them because the 4 of them were losing a fight to 2 and he was desperate to save himself and his brother from a situation THEY initiated. The law is that even if you just intend to go commit one crime and you end up killing or being with someone that kills during that crime you are guilty of first degree murder with special circumstances.

Shame on you Eve for distorting truths and leaving out any and all facts of the history of crimes these boys were a part of for YEARS not just that day.

Good luck to you

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven't had much contact with the United States Justice System and after reading this book, I am sincerely grateful. Justice isn't always just. After the fight between six teenagers ends with one boy dead, the lives of everyone involved change forever. As the author does a great job of showing, the intentions of the four boys who came to see stab victims Mike McLoren and Jimmy Farris are widely assumed to be that of robbery and murder. The author goes through the series of events that occurred that day in May 1995 from the perspectives of both Mike McLoren and his friend, Jimmy, and the four boys who came to Mike's fort for drugs. A major part of the debate that arose once the four boys were charged was did they come to buy marijuana or steal it. If they came to buy, Jimmy's death looked like manslaughter, which would have had the four boys out of prison in 5-12 years. If the incident was viewed as a robbery (which is how the prosecution saw it), the death became a murder, which could mean life in prison or even death.



A case like this results in a lot of strong emotions coming out and as a reader I felt some of those emotions. The grief of Jimmy's family that lead them to condemn the four boys (Micah, Jason, Tony, and Brandon) and their driver (Chris) completely. The sorrow of the boy's families as they watched their loved ones face complete condemnation and the assumptions and wrong information that went with it. The major irritation I felt as the judge and jury took the word of an untrustworthy witness who'd changed his version of events over and over (Mike McLoren). The anger I felt at the whole incident being connected to gang activity that scared the jury into requesting police protection, even though there was no proof of actual gang involvement. A judge who showed no mercy, who let the verdict stand despite evidence of jury misconduct.



I found this to be both a fascinating book to read and a hard book to read. To read about the tragic consequences of young people using drugs and alcohol about broke my heart. To read about the awful punishment that the five boys received and to feel that it was not just punishment for what amounted to an accident in the heat of the moment in which all six boys participated. What the book does supremely well though is demonstrate the power of seemingly small, insignificant choices and the power they have to change one's life forever. One inch more or less and the knife would have missed Jimmy's heart and Jimmy Farris would still be alive, and four boys wouldn't be sitting in jail with little to no chance of every being free again.

Note: Content wise it's pretty much what you would expect: swearing, teenage drinking and drug use, brief reference to sex, and the brief violence that lead to Jimmy Farris's death.

[Daniela · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has to be one of my most favorite books. The details in each page make you feel as if you are there witnessing that very moment. You can imagine every scene and even the biggest parts, like when you find out that they are all getting big punishments even though it wasn't intended. This book really pulls you in when they start describing the events that lead to the fighting and stabbing. The parts that create the most suspense have to be these 3. When you find out that Micah was high/drunk like Mike and that is why they got into the fight. The 2nd intense part has to be when you find out that they are getting Chris in big trouble too when he didn't know what was going on, all he did was drive around the boys without knowing. And the last most intense part is when Brandon finally gives up and tells them that he did the stabbing, but it wasn't intended. Every page carry's something knew that gets you in that feeling were you need to keep reading because you want to find who did what and what there consequences. One part that did make me mad was when they give the rest a lot of years in prison even though they didn't start everything or do the stabbing. It made sences for Brandon and Micah to get big punishments, but not the rest.

[Tracey Dale · Rating 4 out of 5]

One Cut is a deeply disturbing true story of how quickly a young life can completely change direction. This is not a tale of complete innocents finding themselves randomly caught up in a situation they have no control over, but one of boys dabbling in petty crimes, cheap thrills, and local disputes with other teens — all of them clueless about how quickly these things can escalate.

Eve Porinchak’s well-researched, if somewhat biased account, places us in a football field-sized backyard in sleepy Agoura Hills on the outskirts of Los Angeles on a chilly Monday night in May, 1995. When two groups of local youths clash over a misunderstanding, it tears apart a community and destroys any chance of a normal future for each of the young men involved.

Porinchak takes us inside the homes of the horrified teen’s families, revealing their backgrounds and influences.

She follows with a not-very-pretty picture of sensational media reporting, and a prejudiced legal community who base their prosecution case on ill-considered precedents. The result is an outcome that makes little sense.

This is an uncomfortable read for parents of teenage boys, but an important one.

[Brenda · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I think the author was a bit heavy-handed with her "these poor boys! Look at the bad things that happened to them for no reason!" there was definitely a story that needed to be told here. There were a lot of things in play that literally ruined the lives of six boys. Were they culpable? Absolutely. Did the punishment match the crime? Definitely not.

There were a great many things in play. There was a crackdown on crime during the 90s, there was the mob mentality of wanting to make an example.... and frankly? There were a group of kids who thought they were badass and decided they needed to prove just how macho they were. It didn't quite work out the way they hoped.

[Becka · Rating 1 out of 5]

Disappointing to find that this book, instead of being an objective account of the events surrounding a teen’s murder, was instead contrived to attempt to make the reader feel sorry for the perpetrators of the crime. Don’t want to face imprisonment? Then don’t go looking for trouble with a knife in your hand.

[Ellery Rockey · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a good book if you like crime and true crime stories. It is a group of friends and a murder happens one night while hanging out and how that all plays out.

[Kristin McDonald · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a bad book. It was not what I had thought it would be but it was informative. If you like true crime it is a good young adult book for that genre.

[BG Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

I normally don't read this sort of nonfiction but was surprised at how well the author described the jail, courthouse, prison sceneries, having been through the system and incarcerated myself. If the media had not sensationalized the case, I wonder if the teenagers accused would've been sentenced so harshly. From what I've seen, high profile cases always get the short end of the stick, where the defendants aren't even human anymore, but villains.

The author does a fantastic job in raising questions. Yes, a serious crime was committed, but was Life in prison the best solution? The author embeds accurate slices of information regarding tough on crime over-sentencing laws, prison overcrowding, and corruption. The story is fast-paced, emotional, and easy to get into. Some scenes felt so real, I felt like I was back in prison again - LOL not a place I want to return to. Serious systemic and criminal justice issues are addressed and she explains it in an uncomplicated way. Though this is a YA book, adults will get much out of it as well.

[Brichimt · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I first passed out Eve Porinchak’s One Cutx for feedback, I had no idea how much engagement this true crime story would bring to the young adult readers our committee sought feedback from who were either in juvenile detention facilities or in secondary public schools and who often identified themselves as nonreaders. This title however caught and held their interests, due to the authenticity of the storyline. Authentic usually means conversational dialogue and environment, but not this time. The characters and environment is just the opposite of most of the youth who participated in feedback. They are mostly browns and blacks while the characters in the story are white middle-class teens in Southern California. What pulls them is that these youth got entangled with the justice system and arrested, some under critical pretense, which is much the conditions of environment they live in that find them being racially profiled and arrested at unprecedented rates. The fact that this injustice happened to white teens too, is what brought about engagement and the fact that the story is a real-life well-written truth is what produced a reason for much dialogue amongst those reading the story. A cohesiveness not often experienced by these reluctant readers.

The events took place when the characters were around the same age group of the readers the book is intended for, highlighting a tragedy of enormous proportions in the teen characters’ world... one in which the ordinary routine of comping reefer, went haywire within an instant. The fact that this occurrence is accounted for some twenty-three years in the past is of no importance, for within the framing of the events, the reader can easily see themselves within the story's boundaries, for this scenario is still occurring today... ...continue on BriChisLitSpot https://brichislitspot.blog/2018/04/2...

[Brandon Book Nerd · Rating 5 out of 5]

I know, I know, it's only been 13 days into the new year, but I can easily say that this is one of the best books I've read this year.

From the moment I picked up this book at the "New YA Non-Fiction Books" section at my library, I was in love. I was just drawn to the cover, and the tagline on the side. A real story about teens involved with a murder case? AWESOME. It just makes you wonder, "What does the 'one cut' have anything to do with the murder? Was a pocketknife used like shown on the back cover? If so, who used it?"

Ms. Porinchak's writing style easily intrigues you from the very first sentence, and the way that she describes the (I don't want to say characters necessarily cause it gives a fictitious connotation)... individuals involved just are so awesomely AMAZING.
After nearly seventeen years sharing a maternal bond with her baby boy, her youngest son, whom she described as 'the closest thing to an angel on Earth that I ever knew,' Judie Farris experienced what can only be defined as an extrasensory-perception or sixth-sense moment at 7:18 p.m."...
'Jimmy's been stabbed!' - pg. 8

The fast-paced mystery of this real-life thriller got me on the edge of my seat after every single sentence, and I am now obsessed with the Jimmy Farris case. Thanks a lot, Ms. Porinchak.

No really, I mean it.

This case has been quite the eye-opener, and it's very intriguing how the author put in a lot of effort into explaining a lot about civics and the law, especially to people who have no clue what stuff like "felony murder" or a "Brady violation" is. Now I'm just left with one question: What the heck am I supposed to read next? How do I recover from reading an amazing book such as this?

Okay, maybe two questions then.

[Paula Finefield · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s an ordinary school night, friends hangin’ with friends. Then someone gets an idea, and the others go for it. Soon a confusing argument ensues, an action is taken, and literally within minutes the lives of all the young people involved in the unfortunate affair which occurred are irrevocably changed forever.

One Cut by Eve Porinchak is the true story, not only of the event itself, but of its convoluted, often questionable, most definitely long-reaching aftermath. Ms. Porinchak has done her “homework” well. Through seemingly exhaustive research and the recounting of numerous interviews of many of the individuals involved in the actual event, as well as numerous others who have been drawn into the affair in the years that have followed it, she presents her readers with the story in a compelling narrative style that makes one feel as if the kids in the book could have people we ourselves might have known.

One decision, one mistake – sometimes that’s all it takes.

[Kimberly Pinzon · Rating 4 out of 5]

"How much time is enough time...for taking a life?"

Wow. This is both interesting and heart breaking. A true story about five boys getting railroaded by a criminal justice system who had just embarrassingly lost two cases they should have won based on the mountains of evidence they had (the Menendez brothers and OJ Simpson).

This is a YA novel, so it doesn't get super detailed about court proceedings and laws, and focuses a lot on relationships and emotions. However, there are a lot of sources in the back if you're looking to go more in depth to the case.

The book provides a balanced assessment of the case where it attempts to provide both sides to the question: "How much time is enough time...for taking a life?" A good read, and part of a series of true stories involving tragic teen stories.

[Lynndell · Rating 3 out of 5]

One Cut by Eve Porinchak is a nonfiction story on riveted.com. This true telling of a young man's death brings all sides into the light and shows how complicated seeking justice can become. The media attention and heresy escalated the case that didn't have much solid evidence. Regardless of the lack of evidence and even the fact that the young man driving never left the vehicle, they were all still charged with homicide. The book felt one sided and I believe it was written that way to help show the injustice of the entire case. I read it and still haven't come to any conclusions about where the guilt should be placed and I can't imagine the jury's frustration with this case; 3.5 stars.

[Ann Frohoff · Rating 5 out of 5]

When justice is served, but the inadequate handling of facts are so glaring it leaves you wondering who else should be accountable. I don't want to give anything away, this is a sad story of bad decisions, where no one at all wins. The judge is shameful. As a parent I would, of course, want to have those accountable for the murder of my child. However, there was no way that any of what happened was calculated. This is another important story for our youth (& adults) to read. I hope that schools & teachers pick this book as part of their curriculum.

[Leanne Ellis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disturbing read on how policies can ruin lives like the felony rule that all participants in a crime are equally responsible. Also, how sociological ideas like the "super-predator" are as bad as the "broken windows" theory to "get tough" on crime. All these do is make rich and white middle class folks feel better while minorities consider to suffer from institutional racism. In this case, boys from a troubled home paid the price.

[Brandi · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 Stars

This is a riveting tale of a backyard brawl gone horribly wrong that highlights the issues with our justice system. Would have been stronger with a harder look at the evidence presented. The author is obviously biased toward the accused’s innocence but it’s hard not to agree based on the information presented. I will be seeking out the documentary mentioned that covers this book. Overall, I’m enjoying this Simon True line and recommend these titles to true crime enthusiasts.

[Kendra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Man, I really wanted to be done with this book. It was full of excessive detail about the process leading up to the good part. And I understand why it was written that way, to emphasize the amount of time and red tape that they had to go through before they even got to tell their story. But it was exhausting. It put me off.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad I read it. It was very enlightening and shocking. And I can’t believe it’s a true story. Definitely makes you think.

[Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another book I read for a committee. I really enjoyed this non-fiction book. You can feel the passion of the author! Well-written story of a bunch of teens who went to hang out or buy pot (depending on who you believe ) and one of them ends up stabbed, and dies. The story spirals from there! Another California based book. Again, great non-fiction book for older readers/ high school and up.

[Beth Willstrop · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nicely done. I don't read a lot of non fiction, but this one caught my eye. It certainly is a call to action to revisit criminal justice. It was horrifying to see the inequality of justice between the Dillon case and this one, but more horrifying to realize how fragile the lives of our children can be. This is an excellent choice for high school readers and could lead to insightful talks in reading groups. I'm glad to see Ms Porinchak start this new true crime genre for YA. Excellent!

[Mae · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book will have your emotions going! It is a great depiction of some of what is wrong with our judiciary system and it explores one famous case that was handled in a juvenile manner by the judge assigned to the case and by the appeals court. This book explores the case and the possible miscarriage of justice that occurred due to an event in 1995.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honestly, I'm not a big fan of nonfiction books, but this one had me wanting to keep reading. It's all on a true story of five teenagers and how their life's changed. The way it's written it feels like a regular fiction book, but it's all nonfiction with the usual facts and dates. Would totally recommend to anyone.

[MATEO REYES · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a really interesting book about a little known murder trial. It brought light to many injustices of the justice system in the past, why they existed, and what was done to fix them. At some points, it was a bit repetitive but if you enjoy reading about murder trials this would be a great book for you.

[Lisa M · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a fan of true crime, but haven’t read much of it in awhile. One Cut is written about teens, for teens. But don’t let that stop you from reading if you are not. Lots of questions ran through my mind while reading, but no spoilers here. I recommend for any fan of true crime, and definitely for addition to a HS library. Possible selection for MS readers.

[Ashley Long · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book intriguing and hard to put down. I don't usually do this with nonfiction. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked the book. I will continue to research and follow the stories of the boys, now adult men, who were incarcerated.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a well written interesting story!

[Allison Hackenmiller · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this and I think students would get into it.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great story of a sad case of our justice system at work. Very Law and Order - ripped from headlines story.

[Amanda [Novel Addiction] · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was fascinating. Well written, and broken up into manageable chapters. But man, this made me so incredibly frustrated. This whole thing was a f**k up from the start. These poor guys!