Killing Time: An 18-Year Odyssey from Death Row to Freedom

by John Hollway, Ronald M. Gauthier

In 1984, John Thompson was convicted and sentenced to death for the murder of a white man in New Orleans, Louisiana. He was sent to Angola prison and confined to his cell twenty-three hours a day. However, Thompson adamantly proclaimed his innocence and just needed lawyers who believed that his trial had been mishandled and who would step up to the plate against the powerful DA's office. But who would fight for Thompson's innocence when he didn't have an alibi for the night of the murder and there were two key witnesses to confirm his guilt?

Killing Time is about the eighteen-year quest for John Thompson's freedom from a wrongful murder conviction. After Philadelphia lawyers Michael Banks and Gordon Cooney take on his case, they struggle to find areas of misconduct in his previous trials while grappling with their questions about Thompson's innocence. John Hollway and Ronald M. Gauthier have interviewed Thompson and the lawyers regarding the case and paint a realistic and compelling portrait of life on death row and the corruption in the Louisiana police and DA's office. When it is found that evidence was mishandled in a previous trial that led to his death sentence in the murder case, Thompson is finally on his road to freedom—a journey that continues to this day. Complete with an updated afterword describing Thompson's 2011 civil suit against Harry Connick Sr. and the New Orleans DA's office and the Supreme Court's shocking verdict.

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction, Audiobook, History, Biography, Crime

496 pages, Hardcover

First published May 18, 2010

Reviews

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

A true story a wrongful conviction that took 18 years and immense effort to get overturned against all odds and which is both compelling and appalling.

[Nichole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic and horrifying all at the same time. The injustice this man went through is just unbelievable. And makes you question how many prosecutors offices do things just to be sure they get a conviction of someone...anyone. The book is well written and detailed enough to fully understand what happened while also keeping it entertaining. A must a read.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a fan of true crime, it just amazes me how somebody could do such things, what makes them want to do these things? This however is seeing it from the suspects side and not the victims side.

It's sad that things like this happened. Even sadder that it still happens today. Investigate a crime, focus on one person and do everything in your power, even sweeping things under the rug to get the suspect put away, a happy family and friends, your good name admired even more while an innocent person is put away for life for a crime they didn't commit.

While reading this I discovered how corrupted the DA office was, that the judge was more concerned about sticking with his guns and keeping his name good than opening his eyes and seeing things correctly, and a couple of lawyers that believe the innocence of this person that work for YEARS at no cost to at least give him a fair trial he was never given and constantly denied even though facts that could lead to a mistrial were constantly being dismissed.

The book is so well written that I couldn't hardly put it down. It's a heart wrenching must read. My eyes actually watered a few times, and was saying what the heck a handful of times and just shaking my head!
Sad to see a man get unjustly put away and not be able to see his sons grow up, and give them a family. A grandma who pretty much raised him pass before she could truly see him walk out. A mom who wasn't able to visit him because of her medical conditions. John Thompson lost a lot because of pride and ego of a system that is suppose to help the People, not themselves.

[Eric Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an unbelievable story. The story of John Thompson's false incarceration gives credibility to those that cry innocence from their jail cell and illustrates how those that we entrust to do what is right are tainted and corrupted by their pursuit of power and an inappropriate application of their political ideologies. The one thing that stayed with me throughout this story is how impossible it is that this man was set free. A prideful judge, corrupt DA office and politics were all in full presence. Read this story and if it doesn't lead you to believe in God then you will at least have to concede that there was some form of higher power at work.

[Roberta Lynne Ruben · Rating 4 out of 5]

Worth reading to learn more about the American justice system for White Americans with money vs the lack of concern for truth and honesty for those without the means to support themselves or without educations. Wonderful descriptions of court system for those given the death penalty. The audio version is excellent!

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one read like a novel but it's John's real life. This is why I like reading legal thriller...because in fiction we know we will have justice at the end. But in real life? It's a thin line. It's all he said she said they said blah blah and all will be depend on 12 jurors. At least this one give me hope.

[Rachel Groves · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written and narrated. The narrators ability to give distinct but subtle differences to different voices was highly skilled. This explores a lot of the legal proceedings but balances that with insights into living on death row.

[Pixismiler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book. Took a while to read. With all the names, locations, eye witness accounts, etc. it was very hard to keep up with who said what when.

[Gina · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story itself is obviously sad, but the book was still somehow uplifting and encouraging, not to mention riveting; I am grateful to have read it.

[Mandi Quigley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved reading this, sad that this is probably not a one off thing that happens 😢

[Russell Wardle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book I found it a little long winded but the last 100 or so pages were great

[BlanchRanch]

Good. True story. Frustrating how easily innocents can be convicted. Dense with lots of detail. Jim Williams sucks. Happy ending.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like a play by play of a Law and Order episode except it’s true which makes it superior. Excellent storytelling by the author to give the story to the reader in its full scope.

[Daniel Lang · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recently finished reading *Killing Time: An 18-Year Odyssey from Death Row to Freedom* by John Hollway, and I must say it was a compelling and eye-opening experience. The book chronicles the harrowing journey of John Thompson, a man wrongfully convicted and sentenced to death, and his eventual exoneration after nearly two decades. Hollway's meticulous research and vivid storytelling bring Thompson's story to life in a way that is both heart-wrenching and inspiring.

What struck me the most about this book was its ability to convey the profound emotional and psychological toll that such an ordeal can take on a person. Thompson's resilience and unwavering hope in the face of overwhelming adversity are nothing short of remarkable. The author does an excellent job of highlighting the systemic flaws in the criminal justice system that led to Thompson's wrongful conviction, but he also underscores the incredible strength of the human spirit.

Hollway's writing style is engaging and accessible, making the complex legal aspects of the case understandable without oversimplifying them. The narrative is well-paced, with a perfect balance between the legal proceedings and the personal story of Thompson and his family. I found myself deeply invested in their lives and rooting for their triumph over injustice.

One of the most powerful aspects of the book is its exploration of the broader implications of wrongful convictions. It serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of vigilance and integrity in the pursuit of justice. The book is not just about one man's fight for freedom; it's a call to action for all of us to work towards a fairer and more just society.

While the subject matter is undeniably heavy, Hollway manages to infuse the story with moments of hope and humanity. The unwavering support from Thompson's legal team and the eventual vindication are uplifting and affirm the potential for change and redemption.

Overall, *Killing Time* is a thought-provoking and emotionally resonant read. It's a testament to the power of perseverance and the need for reform in our criminal justice system. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in true crime, social justice, or stories of human resilience.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A true story that will horrify you with the worst and best of the American legal system and its impact on individuals.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audiobook was well narrated and very interesting!

[Breia · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read this book on my Kindle. Perhaps the Kindle edition was not edited thoroughly as there was a plethora of grammatical and formatting issues. The word ‘would’ was capitalized throughout the book. The word ‘all’ was spelled a//. There were random periods and incorrect paragraph indentations and misuse of quotation marks.

The content also needed a ton of editing. Why was it necessary to comment on one of the attorneys cutting himself shaving but only a few pages talked about John’s life after release? I have never been one to skip pages of a book in fear I would miss something but I skipped through large portions of this as unnecessary. I would say at least 100 pages could be trimmed.

The narrative is also very difficult. Nearly the whole book is written in various conversations or interviews instead of a description of the actual events. It makes for disjointed and confusing reading.

All this is not to say the story isn’t extraordinary. The case and the handling of evidence and witnesses were truly egregious. John’s positive attitude throughout his wrongful incarceration is so commendable and I can not fathom the situation for myself. The journey of his final legal council was also very interesting. Instead of focusing on those aspects though, the book details the unnecessary in a bad way.

With editing and a bigger focus on John’s life after death row, it could be a 5 star book. As it stands now, I can’t believe I finished it.

[Paulette · Rating 5 out of 5]

A heart wrenching true story of John Thompson, a man of great strength and hope, who’s wrongful conviction and 18 year false imprisonment take him on a fearful, uncertain journey that is scared with some of the worse prison conditions, 7 execution dates, the knowledge of his innocence and the deliberate failings of prosecutors, the DA and Judge in New Orleans.
This book is well written, researched and documented and in a format that is easy to read and brings the facts and players to life.
Once you start you cannot put this down.

[Leo Polovets · Rating 5 out of 5]

Killing Time is the heartbreaking story of John Thompson, who was convicted for a murder he did not commit. The novel is based on facts but has the pacing and tone of a Grisham thriller that you can’t put down because you wonder what will happen next. I’ve heard about death row inmates being exonerated, but reading this account and hearing first-hand about how close John was to being executed and how much of his life he lost really moved me, and I ended up donating to the foundation for exonerees that John started.

[Vince · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book about John Thompson, a wonderful man and activist in New Orleans, takes it's time as it leads you through the odyssey of John's arrest and conviction for a murder that he didn't commit. I met John before I read the book and read the book as I was working on a report on death penalty. Even though I knew how it turned out for John, the book was harrowing and suspenseful. The arbitrary nature of our criminal justice system and John's request to be heard turns this story into a page turning roller coaster.

[Nicole]

I worked for John Thompson, the subject of this book, at the organization he founded (RAE) and he's truly an inspirational person. He's one of the nicest guys I've met and you would never know the troubles he has been through. I know the story behind "Killing Time", but was very excited to read this book.

[Nina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Facinating story, you just cannot put the book down.
John was our neighbor when we lived in San Francisco.
We had no idea that he was a budding author, writing in the
middle of the night!

[Guin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Uplifting

As bad as John's experience with injustice is, this books highlights the importance of having just a few people believe in you and fighting for you

[Gianna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read for school. Disturbing. Philadelphia lawyer shout outs.