Mean Justice
by Edward Humes
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Besieged by murder, rape, and the most vile conspiracies, the all-American town of Bakersfield, California, found its saviors in a band of bold and savvy prosecutors who stepped in to create one of the toughest anti-crime communities in the nation. There was only one problem: many of those who were arrested, tried, and imprisoned were innocent citizens.In a work as taut and exciting as a suspense novel, Pulitzer Prize-winning author and journalist Edward Humes embarks on a chilling journey show more to the dark side of the justice system. He reveals the powerful true story of retired high-school principal Pat Dunn's battle to prove his innocence. And how Dunn, prosecuted for killing his wife to inherit her millions, was the victim of a case tainted by hidden witnesses, concealed evidence, and behind-the-scenes lobbying by powerful politicians.Even more disturbing, Humes demonstrates how the mean justice dispensed in Bakersfield is part of a growing national trend in which innocence has become the unintended casualty of today's war on crime. American cities are enjoying their lowest crime rates in decades. But at what price? Mean Justice provides answers both compelling and frightening. show lessTags
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Member Reviews
I've read and enjoyed a later work by Edward Humes, The Forever Witness, and decided to find another by him. I was not disappointed.
This is the true story of Patrick Dunn who was charged with the murder of his wife and wrongfully convicted, sentenced to life without parole. The verdict came as a shock to his legal team and became even more shocking as they discovered, post-trial, evidence that was not shared with them, as the law required. Very well written and researched. There is a lot of detail here, but the book never gets bogged down and continues to read like a procedural thriller.
At the end of the book, Mr. Dunn is still in prison, having exhausted avenues of appeal. However, a subsequent Google search showed me that his show more sentence was commuted to make him eligible for parole, which is obtained after 31 years in jail, thanks in large part to his grandson's continued efforts on his behalf.
A great read. show less
This is the true story of Patrick Dunn who was charged with the murder of his wife and wrongfully convicted, sentenced to life without parole. The verdict came as a shock to his legal team and became even more shocking as they discovered, post-trial, evidence that was not shared with them, as the law required. Very well written and researched. There is a lot of detail here, but the book never gets bogged down and continues to read like a procedural thriller.
At the end of the book, Mr. Dunn is still in prison, having exhausted avenues of appeal. However, a subsequent Google search showed me that his show more sentence was commuted to make him eligible for parole, which is obtained after 31 years in jail, thanks in large part to his grandson's continued efforts on his behalf.
A great read. show less
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18+ Works 2,038 Members
Edward Humes is the author of ten critically acclaimed nonfiction books, including Eco Barons, Monkey Girl, Over Here, School of Dreams, Baby E.R., Mean Justice, No Matter How Loud I Shout, and the bestseller Mississippi Mud. He has received a Pulitzer Prize for his journalism and numerous awards for his books. He has written for the New York show more Times, Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Magazine, and Sierra. He lives in California. show less
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- Canonical title
- Mean Justice
- Alternate titles
- Mean Justice
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- Members
- 76
- Popularity
- 414,627
- Reviews
- 1
- Rating
- (4.06)
- Languages
- English
- Media
- Paper, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 7
- ASINs
- 1
