Guilty Until Proven Innocent

by Donald S. Connery

Book Overview

In 1973, at age 18, Peter Reilly discovered his mother murdered--and was sentenced to jail after a false confession was extracted. No motive, physical evidence, or eyewitnesses linked him to the crime. This is the story of his ordeal with a new afterword on how it has affected the justice system today.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0425233235
• ISBN13: 9780425233238
• Release Date: January 2010
• Publisher: Berkley Books
• Length: 439 Pages
• Weight: 0.52 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 4.1" x 6.6"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

Compelling read !

A twist on the typical "true crime" where guilt is found out - - here, demonstrating innocence is the goal. At the very worst, you won't be disappointed! Thanks to the author for his service in WWII...

Riveting case that still happens today

I always wanted to know the specifics of this case. The truth was that there was no physical evidence to link Peter Reily to this crime. Yet the Police still arrested him. The author goes on to state that this case was a textbook one on false confession. When you read the transcript of the questioning and the tactics; you'll see that this is true. The sad fact is that are many cases like this one that never get attention. This author was one of the founders of DNA testing. This book in paticular was one I could not put down. What I found so compelling was that the police never investigated other leads. There were several others mentioned in this book that were never followed to this day.

Guilty until Proven Innocent

A teen comes home to find his mom murdered.The police convince him after 30 hours without food or sleep that he "blacked out" and did it. But he doesn't remember. He signs a confession.Found guilty. Reads like a novel, but it's all true. The dialogue in this book is from the actural interogation tapes and interviews with the accused or first hand participants. Sounds like something that may happen in a good old boy area. Not true. The scene is rural northwestern Connecticut. I read "Death in Canaan" and saw that movie years ago. This book, by a renouned reporter and journalist who happens to live in the area really makes it real. It could happen to you, or your teenager.