Death Penalty on Trial: Crisis in American Justice

by Bill Kurtis

Bill Kurtis, anchor of the wildly popular true-crime TV series Cold Case Files and American Justice, used to support the death penalty. But after observing the machinations of the justice system for thirty years, he came to a stunning realization that changed his Capital punishment is wrong. There can be no real justice in America until it is abolished. In The Death Penalty on Trial, Kurtis takes readers on his most remarkable investigative journey yet. Together, we revisit murder scenes, study the evidence, and explore the tactical decisions made before and during trials that send innocent people to death row. We examine the eight main reasons why the wrong people are condemned to death, including overzealous and dishonest prosecutors, corrupt policemen, unreliable witnesses and expert witnesses, incompetent defense attorneys, bias judges, and jailhouse informants. We see why the new jewel of forensic science, DNA, is revealing more than innocence and guilt, opening a window into the criminal justice system that could touch off a revolution of reform. Ultimately we come to a remarkable The possibility for error in our justice system is simply too great to allow the death penalty to stand as our ultimate punishment.

Genres: Nonfiction

224 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 9, 2004

Reviews

[Christine (KizzieReads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The only reason this did not get 5 stars is that I wanted more. I agree with what Bill Kurtis is saying. More steps need to be taken about putting people on death row. There are too many mistakes happening for the sake of solving a case, rather than ensuring that the right person is convicted. There needs to be 100% proof that they are guilty, instead of just circumstantial evidence and only showing evidence that will help you win, rather than putting the correct person in jail. I will probably be ranting about this on my next video on Youtube.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book, highly recommend. If this doesn't convince you that we have no business using capital punishment then you have no conscience.

It is eerie to discover the number of innocent people sent to death row. And it makes you wonder: with such a high number even with all the safeguards and scrutiny of capital cases, how many innocent people are convicted in lesser cases which go unscrutinized?

[Jade Bossom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kurtis' writing is flawless. This book gives a wonderfully intellectual argument against the death penalty, exposing the corruption of law enforcement officers and prosecutors alike. It truly demonstrates how the prosecution, in their desire to win a case, can cause innocent people to be sentenced to death. I would recommend this to anyone who is a proponent of the death penalty, having been one myself. I also noticed as someone who has watched American Justice for 15 years I couldn't help but read this in his voice, which I got a kick out of.

[Tbone · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a really good book against the death penalty in America. The author (who is on TV all the time) used to be for the death penalty and is now against it and in this book explains why. It is an excellent book as I was very pro death penalty and now after reading this book I am very much somewhere in the middle leaning against it.

[John Willis · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you ever had any doubts about weather we should abolish the death penalty, you should read this book.

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting and thought provoking. I feel like some of his greatest arguments were left for the conclusion. However, I appreciate that the meat of his story was based on facts, not full of inflammatory statements and biased opinions, he shared the facts and let the reader struggle with how it sat with them. With that said, the reader is aware of the stance of the author, but I felt as the reader I was able to form my own opinions and struggle with my personal bias, verses having the author’s bias oppressing the internal turmoil needed for shifting or opening differing perspectives. There was never a moment I felt defensive while reading; as so many journalistic (opinion writing by “journalist”) today seem to be laden with bias and patrician rhetoric that it isn’t thought provoking but bias hardening. This book was what journalistic wrong should be or at least what I would expect from a person in the journalism profession. Very well done.

[Jeremy · Rating 4 out of 5]

that's right, bill kurtis from cold case files and american justice wrote a book about the death penalty. he use to be for it and after doing his shows and investigating the justice system, he is straight-up against it. a topical book right now though it was published 4 years ago. i got it for $3.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

It gave me a real insight to the American justice system. And, I believe the death penalty should be ended once and for all. Why would we want a system that has so many errors? It's like turning in a paper without any revision work. Pretty stupid.

[Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

A look at the problems with the death penalty; its application and the sometimes unjust way in which death sentences are handed down.