Defending A Serial Killer: The Right To Counsel
A gripping true crime account of defending the indefensible: a serial killer.
The Fifth and Sixth Amendments guarantee the right to counsel, even for the most heinous criminals. In 1982, Jim Potts, a brilliant law student, is recruited to assist in the death penalty appeal of Michael Dee Mattson, a convicted serial killer. Potts discovers a loophole that could set Mattson free, forcing him to confront a moral dilemma: protect his family and community, or uphold his duty to the Constitution?
For readers of true crime, legal thrillers, and stories of ethical conflict, Defending a Serial Killer explores:
- The complexities of the American judicial system
- The psychological toll on those who defend the guilty
- The impact of crime on victims and their families
Can Potts find a way to keep Mattson behind bars without sacrificing his career or his marriage? The answer lies in a battle between personal ethics and professional obligation.
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Community Reviews
This is a well-researched, professionally-presented book discussing the case of Michael Dee Mattson. It tackles the philosophical and moral question about whether or not a despicable human being deserves to be defended, and how one puts their distaste aside in order to defend a killer. It's packed with information and I found myself highlighting it quite a bit almost as though it was a textbook. It's not a quick read, but rather something you'll need time to process. I learned so much from this book and have already suggested it to several readers.
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