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The Black Dahlia case. The Manson murders. The Zodiac Killer. The slaughter of JonBenet Ramsay. These killings, among many others in Bill James's astonishing chronicle of the history of American crime, have all created a frenzy of interest and speculation about human nature. And while many of us choose to avoid the news about gruesome murders, Bill James contends that these crime stories, which create such frenzy (and have throughout history), are as important to understanding our society, culture and history as anything we may consider to be a more 'serious' subject. The topic envelopes our society so completely, we almost forget about it. James looks at the ways in which society has changed by examining the development of how crimes have been committed, investigated and prosecuted. The booktakes on such issues as the rise of an organized police force, the controversial use of the death penalty, the introduction of evidence such as fingerprinting and DNA, and the unexpected ways in which the most shocking crimes have shaped the criminal justice system and our perceptions of violence.
Originally published: 2011. With new addendum.
The case of a wealthy North Carolina woman who, after leading a life of deceit, is finally brought to trial for murdering her husband.
The horrifying true story of the brutal murder of one of Janet Leigh's "body doubles" in Psycho, and another murder a decade later -- committed by a real-life Norman Bates. On June 3, 1988, Myra Davis, 71, one of Janet Leigh's "body doubles" in Psycho, was found dead -- raped and strangled in her Beverly Hills home. Her homicide remained unsolved until investigators linked her killing with that of 60-year-old Jean Orlof, who was sexually assaulted and strangled on March 28, 1998. Police arrested local handyman Kenneth Hunt, who, they believed, like Psycho's Norman Bates, targeted older women for his vicious attacks. With the help of DNA evidence, a jury found him guilty of both murders -- and finally ended his trail of terrifying violence.
On a November afternoon in 1992, 24-year-old Bobby Coulson murdered his parents, two sisters, and a brother-in-law. He bound and gagged his first victim, his mother, and set her on fire. When Bobby was arrested for the crimes, everyone believed he'd done it for his parents' $600,000 estate. But his actual motives were much deeper and darker. Now, featuring Bobby's mother's diary, interviews with family members and friends, here is the gripping story of a mother whose love wasn't enough to save her son or herself. Photos.
In April 1996, a man was taken into custody by police for throwing debris into New Jersey's Passaic River. The trash bags actually contained 65 pieces of a human body. The victim was cancer researcher Dr. Yakov Gluzman--and his wife had ordered the killing. Now, Tim Hays reveals the shocking details behind this horrific crime of jealousy, greed, scorn, and revenge--and of a murderous woman who eluded prosecutors until justice finally caught up with her. Photos.
In 1978, Larry Singleton brutally raped and mutilated a 15-year-old girl--using a hatchet to turn her arms into bloody stumps. The girl survived--and bravely testified against the monster. However, Singleton was paroled after spending eight years in prison--and stabbed another young woman to death. Now, as Singleton awaits punishment for a savage murder, an outraged public is left to question a legal system that let a serial slasher free to kill. Photos.
The explosive true crime that shocked the nation! On December 4, 1995, 16-year-old Adrianne Jones, a beautiful high school sophomore, was found murdered. Texas detectives soon put together a story of teenage love, secret guilt, ruthless revenge, and two "perfect" teenagers--Diane Zamora and David Graham. Includes eight pages of riveting photos, some never before published. Available in April.