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If I Can't Have You No One Can: A Deadly Stalker's Twisted Passion
Richard Namey, 26, drug abuser and woman-beater, had already threatened a previous girlfriend with a gun, but she'd gotten away.Sarah Rodriquez, 21, wasn't so lucky. On April 16, 2002, in Orange County, California, she and her true love, Matt Corbett, 20, were forced off the road by Namey, who shot them both at point-blank range with a.357. Sarah was killed. Corbett was paralyzed for life.After a 42-mile chase, Namey was finally cornered in a drainage tunnel by a police dog. He pleaded manslaughter, claiming he'd really meant to kill himself in front of Sarah. No deal. The man he faced was not your average deputy district Dennis Conway had pulled himself out of a wayward life torn by seemingly insurmountable tragedy and into law school.He knew all about guys like Namey - and exactly where to find the holes in his story. The first-degree murder, life sentence. Score one for the good guys.
- GenresTrue CrimeNonfiction
Paperback
First published November 1, 2006
76 people are currently reading
267 people want to read
About the author
Don Lasseter
31 books37 followersDon Lasseter has written five true crime books for Pinnacle plus 16 magazine articles that were reprinted in Pinnacle's anthology books about murders. In addition to being a crime writer, Mr. Lasseter is a WWII historian who frequently lectures on the subject in schools, at service clubs, and for veteran's groups. He accompanies his talks with slide packages titled "WWII, Then and Now", consisting of photos he took while actually retracing most major battles in Western Europe and in the South Pacific. Taking black and white combat photos with him, Mr. Lasseter laboriously searched for the exact spots on which the photographers stood and shot the same scenes as they look today. He accumulated over 1500 such pictures associated with various battles including the Normandy invasion, Battle of the Bulge, crossing the Rhine, taking Berlin, and other major engagements.
A native Californian, Mr. Lasseter resides in Orange County. He has served as guest lecturer in criminology classes at California State University, Fullerton. Hollywood history is Mr. Lasseter's third major interest. His personal library includes an extensive collection of movie books, and he takes pride in being able to name hundreds of old character actors whose faces are often seen in classic films. One day, Lasseter says, he will write books, both fiction and non-fiction, about the golden era of film production and the people involved.
A native Californian, Mr. Lasseter resides in Orange County. He has served as guest lecturer in criminology classes at California State University, Fullerton. Hollywood history is Mr. Lasseter's third major interest. His personal library includes an extensive collection of movie books, and he takes pride in being able to name hundreds of old character actors whose faces are often seen in classic films. One day, Lasseter says, he will write books, both fiction and non-fiction, about the golden era of film production and the people involved.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
October 19, 2011
I'd say this is written a little better than the average t.c. I was a little surprised in the beginning to read how much of the book revolved around the prosecutor. I don't remember a t.c. ever going so in depth with anyone besides the criminal(s) and/or victim(s). Dennis Conway (the prosecutor) actually has had a pretty interesting life, especially if you think about the impression most people get of the average prosecutor. Most people think of a stuffy, walk-the-straight-line, goody-goody type. Conway wasn't this type. The disasters the man went through in his familial home, his private life, and then his adult family home are alone astonishing. Most people would have buckled under the weight.
So after reading about him a bit I really didn't mind. I didn't *mind* it in the beginning either, it was just something I found somewhat odd.
One thing that really disturbed me is the speculation about Namey's tattoo. I really got the impression that anyone with a tattoo would be a suspected gang member in Lasseter's eyes. Please don't get me wrong, he doesn't like tattoos? No problem. I like them. But my having a butterfly above my daughters name doesn't make me a gang member. I took issue with how this was talked about.
For one, a "picture" of Namey's tattoo was displayed in the book above the following: "The hospital examination of Namey revealed strange tattoos on his legs." What the hell is so strange about the letters "SO CAL". I've visited California exactly one time and that was L.A. and I'm aware that this is representative of Southern California, hence the 'SO. CAL.' minus the periods. But see, what Lasseter doesn't explain is that this picture only shows the 'A', the bottom of the 'L' and a tiny, tiny portion of what must be the 'C'. Is that fair?
To go a step further on this, this is supposedly a hospital picture. Were the hospital or police trying to make this into something it's not? I can't believe I'm commenting "for" a murderer but you know, with all of the ass kissing and bending over backwards going on for criminals, none of which I agree with, I don't think it's right to alter things to make them look worse for anyone. The truth is the truth. As far as I can see the guy went out and got a tattoo because he wanted - for whatever reason - to represent Southern California. Leave that part alone. I mean, this man has done enough to condemn him for! A tattoo?! Really.
This isn't about this book per se but I wanted to include a little note mostly for friends who may read this but also for anyone else who cares. Lasseter outlined the Adriana Vasco case from the book Deadly Mistress by Michael Fleeman (very good book by the way.) This was talked about as an example of Conway's skills as a prosecutor.
I also had a problem with something that a Dr. Christina J. Johns was quoted saying. (I'm interested in other women's thoughts on this.)
"Women do find the rape scenario attractive and appealing and exciting... women want to be raped by Robert Redford."
Okay, I won't touch the Redford thing, I know chicks used to dig him back in the day. Seeing as how this is 2011 and Redford, if he's alive, is probably 104 years old let's go with someone a little more... well, "appealing". For me anyway. Let's use Eminem. He's a cutie. 50. Paul Walker. One of them for this purpose. Let's use the name Paul. I can honestly say that rape has never been "appealing" to me. Nor has it been "attractive" or "exciting". Quite the opposite actually. I think it's disgusting. I think anyone - man or women - who falls to such depths is a disgusting pig who should do the world a favor and kill themselves. (*I don't mean the so call "rape" between two teens having consensual sex.)
I take major issue with Johns not wording her thoughts better. According to her, all women fantasize about being raped at the least, at the most we want to be raped.
I'm not able to grasp why these words left her mouth or why Lasseter thought it a good idea to include this. That sentence alone tells me she's not smart enough to tell me anything. I can't imagine how many women this will piss off. And this is a doctor that said this. She and Lasseter, IMO, slammed any and every woman and man who have ever been a victim of rape or attempted rape. My head spins when I think about this world I inhabit sometimes.
Before Namey shot and killed Sarah and show and paralyzed Matt he'd been no stranger to police. A few highlights of his criminal career:
Namey had previously pulled a gun on an ex-girlfriend, after forcing her car to pull over and after being served with a restraining order (just as with Sarah and Matt.)
Namey assaulted his own sister after she refused to give him money. That one charge, had there been a conviction in reference to the altercation between him and his sister, could have - should have resulted in 1-4 years in prison, up to $10,000 in fines, or both.
Why didn't anything happen? Why do people have to die for the police to do their jobs? If someone is capable of doing this once they're capable of doing it twice.
I'm not saying he should have done life in prison after the first time. No one was physically hurt after all. But if he had done a few years and had a fine he couldn't pay maybe, just freaking maybe, he would have thought twice about doing it again.
An extra thought, I do not understand how defense attorneys - like Namey's and what's-his-name that got Anthony off - sleep at night. Their tactics are so underhanded. I think it should be a law that if an attorney gets someone like that off they need to have them visit in their own home, work for them, something of the sort for a period of time. That brings a smile to my face. Would Namey's attorney have wanted him around his own daughter? His wife maybe? Hmmmmm.
All in all it's a good book. A little over 400 pages and it's actually a fast one. I took five days to finish it because of other things getting in the way. I would have finished it in under two days normally.
So after reading about him a bit I really didn't mind. I didn't *mind* it in the beginning either, it was just something I found somewhat odd.
One thing that really disturbed me is the speculation about Namey's tattoo. I really got the impression that anyone with a tattoo would be a suspected gang member in Lasseter's eyes. Please don't get me wrong, he doesn't like tattoos? No problem. I like them. But my having a butterfly above my daughters name doesn't make me a gang member. I took issue with how this was talked about.
For one, a "picture" of Namey's tattoo was displayed in the book above the following: "The hospital examination of Namey revealed strange tattoos on his legs." What the hell is so strange about the letters "SO CAL". I've visited California exactly one time and that was L.A. and I'm aware that this is representative of Southern California, hence the 'SO. CAL.' minus the periods. But see, what Lasseter doesn't explain is that this picture only shows the 'A', the bottom of the 'L' and a tiny, tiny portion of what must be the 'C'. Is that fair?
To go a step further on this, this is supposedly a hospital picture. Were the hospital or police trying to make this into something it's not? I can't believe I'm commenting "for" a murderer but you know, with all of the ass kissing and bending over backwards going on for criminals, none of which I agree with, I don't think it's right to alter things to make them look worse for anyone. The truth is the truth. As far as I can see the guy went out and got a tattoo because he wanted - for whatever reason - to represent Southern California. Leave that part alone. I mean, this man has done enough to condemn him for! A tattoo?! Really.
This isn't about this book per se but I wanted to include a little note mostly for friends who may read this but also for anyone else who cares. Lasseter outlined the Adriana Vasco case from the book Deadly Mistress by Michael Fleeman (very good book by the way.) This was talked about as an example of Conway's skills as a prosecutor.
I also had a problem with something that a Dr. Christina J. Johns was quoted saying. (I'm interested in other women's thoughts on this.)
"Women do find the rape scenario attractive and appealing and exciting... women want to be raped by Robert Redford."
Okay, I won't touch the Redford thing, I know chicks used to dig him back in the day. Seeing as how this is 2011 and Redford, if he's alive, is probably 104 years old let's go with someone a little more... well, "appealing". For me anyway. Let's use Eminem. He's a cutie. 50. Paul Walker. One of them for this purpose. Let's use the name Paul. I can honestly say that rape has never been "appealing" to me. Nor has it been "attractive" or "exciting". Quite the opposite actually. I think it's disgusting. I think anyone - man or women - who falls to such depths is a disgusting pig who should do the world a favor and kill themselves. (*I don't mean the so call "rape" between two teens having consensual sex.)
I take major issue with Johns not wording her thoughts better. According to her, all women fantasize about being raped at the least, at the most we want to be raped.
I'm not able to grasp why these words left her mouth or why Lasseter thought it a good idea to include this. That sentence alone tells me she's not smart enough to tell me anything. I can't imagine how many women this will piss off. And this is a doctor that said this. She and Lasseter, IMO, slammed any and every woman and man who have ever been a victim of rape or attempted rape. My head spins when I think about this world I inhabit sometimes.
Before Namey shot and killed Sarah and show and paralyzed Matt he'd been no stranger to police. A few highlights of his criminal career:
Namey had previously pulled a gun on an ex-girlfriend, after forcing her car to pull over and after being served with a restraining order (just as with Sarah and Matt.)
Namey assaulted his own sister after she refused to give him money. That one charge, had there been a conviction in reference to the altercation between him and his sister, could have - should have resulted in 1-4 years in prison, up to $10,000 in fines, or both.
Why didn't anything happen? Why do people have to die for the police to do their jobs? If someone is capable of doing this once they're capable of doing it twice.
I'm not saying he should have done life in prison after the first time. No one was physically hurt after all. But if he had done a few years and had a fine he couldn't pay maybe, just freaking maybe, he would have thought twice about doing it again.
An extra thought, I do not understand how defense attorneys - like Namey's and what's-his-name that got Anthony off - sleep at night. Their tactics are so underhanded. I think it should be a law that if an attorney gets someone like that off they need to have them visit in their own home, work for them, something of the sort for a period of time. That brings a smile to my face. Would Namey's attorney have wanted him around his own daughter? His wife maybe? Hmmmmm.
All in all it's a good book. A little over 400 pages and it's actually a fast one. I took five days to finish it because of other things getting in the way. I would have finished it in under two days normally.
April 28, 2017
Absolutely, one of
the best written true crime novels I've read in awhile. I loved attorney Dennis Conway's wit, humor and understanding of our legal system, which frankly astounds, considering the absolute guilt of Rick Namely, and was glad he was given little attention, hence empathy as he is nothing more than a "smudge of excrement among a.....million tons of garbage". I feel particular empathy for Matt Corbin who was totally blameless and a bit too good for the victim, Sarah. I understand mistakes and youthful mistakes even more, but she misled Matt for so long, then becoming afraid realizes her mistake, runs back to Matt...and well, the worst happens. In no way did she deserve what Namely did to her, I'm simply saying Matt even less. Anyway, great book, author and true character, ie. Conway. Highly recommend.
the best written true crime novels I've read in awhile. I loved attorney Dennis Conway's wit, humor and understanding of our legal system, which frankly astounds, considering the absolute guilt of Rick Namely, and was glad he was given little attention, hence empathy as he is nothing more than a "smudge of excrement among a.....million tons of garbage". I feel particular empathy for Matt Corbin who was totally blameless and a bit too good for the victim, Sarah. I understand mistakes and youthful mistakes even more, but she misled Matt for so long, then becoming afraid realizes her mistake, runs back to Matt...and well, the worst happens. In no way did she deserve what Namely did to her, I'm simply saying Matt even less. Anyway, great book, author and true character, ie. Conway. Highly recommend.
September 13, 2018
A Slightly Different Review
I’m writing this review just before I start the book, why would I want to do this ? One important factor that I feel is sadly forgotten in so many true crime books by so many authors ... not everyone knows the facts !
I know some of these cases may be well known over in the States, but not for everyone else, myself included, so I really dislike part way through a book when an author feels the need to tell bits of the ‘story’ before they should be told, and I’ve always meant to give a grumpy review on it.
Why have I bothered this time ? Because the verdicts not just given out of sequence, it’s put into the ‘about this book’ blurb ! So I now know what happened before I even read the first sentence ! I mean c’mon !
So this review is given, in turn, totally out of sequence, fitting I think.
Please ALL true crime authors, give us true crime readers a little more excitement in your books and let the story develop and tell itself as it goes, even if we do know the ending it’s still much more enjoyable and I’d think many people would agree with me.
I’m writing this review just before I start the book, why would I want to do this ? One important factor that I feel is sadly forgotten in so many true crime books by so many authors ... not everyone knows the facts !
I know some of these cases may be well known over in the States, but not for everyone else, myself included, so I really dislike part way through a book when an author feels the need to tell bits of the ‘story’ before they should be told, and I’ve always meant to give a grumpy review on it.
Why have I bothered this time ? Because the verdicts not just given out of sequence, it’s put into the ‘about this book’ blurb ! So I now know what happened before I even read the first sentence ! I mean c’mon !
So this review is given, in turn, totally out of sequence, fitting I think.
Please ALL true crime authors, give us true crime readers a little more excitement in your books and let the story develop and tell itself as it goes, even if we do know the ending it’s still much more enjoyable and I’d think many people would agree with me.
January 11, 2021
This is the story about Richard Namey. When his girlfriend, Sarah Rodriquez tried to break up with him, he was disturbed about it and wouldn’t leave her alone. She obtained a restraining order, but the papers were not served on him as he kept avoiding service, but he knew about the order as Sarah told him about it. She told him to leave her alone or he could be arrested. One day, on April 16, 2002 in Orange County, California, she was in her car with her boyfriend Matt Corbett, who she knew and dated on and off for years. Namey went up to them in the car and shot Matt, paralyzing him and murdered Sarah. He hijacked a car and ran from the police. But when they captured him, he said that his intent was to kill himself, not Sarah. This book goes into the story of Namey and the prosecuting attorney, Dennis Conway, details behind the stories of the lives of these individuals and the trial that found Namey guilty of first-degree murder. This story was very well written, detailed and intriguing.
December 9, 2019
One of his best
I have read a lot of Mr. Lasseters books bu TV this one happens to probaly be my favorite. I dont know how I had missed this book!! As always i found that all his research is very good and i can always count on him just writing the story without his own personal opinion.
After reading this book I cant help but admire the strength that Sarah's family and Matt's family show! I dont know if I could be that strong! But this story def reminds me no one is guaranteed tom so enjoy today! Always make sure those you love know it!! My heart goes out to both families!!
I have read a lot of Mr. Lasseters books bu TV this one happens to probaly be my favorite. I dont know how I had missed this book!! As always i found that all his research is very good and i can always count on him just writing the story without his own personal opinion.
After reading this book I cant help but admire the strength that Sarah's family and Matt's family show! I dont know if I could be that strong! But this story def reminds me no one is guaranteed tom so enjoy today! Always make sure those you love know it!! My heart goes out to both families!!
January 31, 2020
I found a new favorite author!!
Occasionally, not very often, but occasionally, I'll pick a book because of the title a/or description, not because of its author. Sometimes, I'm disputed, yes, but Holy Cow!! Most finely not disappointed with this author!
He writes on such a personal note, you begin to feel you actually KNOW each person in the story!! I absolutely love when such authors come my way!!
Oh yeah, you can bet I'll be reading as many of his books as i can find!
Thank you, Mr. Lasseter, for giving me a thoroughly remarkable journey through for people's lives. You take care to treat each one with dignity, some humor and tenderness.
Occasionally, not very often, but occasionally, I'll pick a book because of the title a/or description, not because of its author. Sometimes, I'm disputed, yes, but Holy Cow!! Most finely not disappointed with this author!
He writes on such a personal note, you begin to feel you actually KNOW each person in the story!! I absolutely love when such authors come my way!!
Oh yeah, you can bet I'll be reading as many of his books as i can find!
Thank you, Mr. Lasseter, for giving me a thoroughly remarkable journey through for people's lives. You take care to treat each one with dignity, some humor and tenderness.
September 15, 2024
Unlike the wacky killers that just choose strangers to torture and kill, this guy was basically a budding domestic abuser. Were I in the jury I would've had a difficult time deciding if this was first degree premeditated or a lesser crime of passion. Neither men or women like being used as someone's backstreet piece, and sometimes the consequences are huge and even an innocent bystander can meet with the violent eruption. Enjoyable read.
January 20, 2023
Great expose’ of a cold blooded killer.
The author did an amazing job of researching material for this book. It reveals how people living among us can be evil to the bone while hiding behind a personna of falsely innocent and friendly demeanor. It also presents the work and diligence of a great prosecutor.
The author did an amazing job of researching material for this book. It reveals how people living among us can be evil to the bone while hiding behind a personna of falsely innocent and friendly demeanor. It also presents the work and diligence of a great prosecutor.
January 3, 2020
Oh my goodness!
This book is riveting, sad, scary and just all around life! We have to learn to love one another as much as possible. If a person is beyond good then... They need live and care from professionals. Safely put away so no harm is put on others.
This book is riveting, sad, scary and just all around life! We have to learn to love one another as much as possible. If a person is beyond good then... They need live and care from professionals. Safely put away so no harm is put on others.
July 31, 2017
This book was so sad, it just goes to show how sick sum people can be. Obsession is a dangerous thing that sometimes can't be controlled.
April 22, 2020
excellent but sad read
June 19, 2024
This is beyond any doubt the most confusing, most idiotic book I have EVER tried reading!!!! This author must be on drugs! He jumps all over the place with characters, names, dates, times, places………I have NO IDEA what the hell is going on in this asinine book. One chapter he’s writing about some character’s grandmother - the very next chapter he’s writing about the ex-boyfriend of the main character……taking the reader back to the ex-boyfriend’s days as a small child —- WHAT???? What in the hell is this idiotic author talking about??? He must have been on drugs when he wrote this one! (I have read other books by this author which were well written and interesting).
NO RATING
NO RATING
April 15, 2015
a little confusing going through 4 different peoples perspective of what happened but a good read but long
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews