A lifeless new-born baby is found discarded in a motel dumpster. Authorities quickly arrest the infant's teenage parents, charging them with murder. Did Amy Grossberg and Brian Peterson, in fact, murder their own baby? When Tammy Wynette died suddenly at a relatively young age, why was no autopsy performed? Was someone trying to hide the real cause of death? Did Sam Sheppard (who later served as the basis for the television series "The Fugutive") really kill his wife? And if not, who committed the murder? Things are not always as they appear, as world-renowned forensic pathologist Dr Cyril Wecht shows in this riveting behind-the-scenes look at nine famous cases.Drawing on police reports, depositions, trial testimony, and autopsy reports - as well as his four decades of experience - in "Mortal Evidence" Dr Wecht, with the assistance of co-authors Greg Saitz and Mark Curriden, raises important issues and offers fresh perspectives on each case. In the nationally known baby case involving Amy Grossberg and Brian Peterson, Dr Wecht reviews the evidence and comes to a startling conclusion. In fascinating detail, he demonstrates how the tools of forensic pathology often uncover murky, long-hidden secrets that track seemingly unsolvable crimes. Writing in the first-person, Dr Wecht leads readers into the heart of the investigation, focusing each chapter on a single engrossing drama.He reveals the most startling evidence that shows why, in his professional judgement, JonBenet Ramsey's killer most likely came from within her home. Dr Wecht also offers insight into the O.J. Simpson trial and the murder of Nicole Simpson and Ron Goldman, and shocking revelations about Robert Berdella's conviction for grisly torture and sex-abuse crimes against young men. The other cases covered include the drug-related death of casino magnate Ted Binion; the 1982 showdown between religious sect members and police in Miracle Valley, Arizona; and Robert Curley's death by long-term, methodical thallium poisoning. Whether you find the fictional plots of such dramas as 'C.S.I.' and crime scene documentaries exciting or you are just fascinated by true crime investigation, you'll be amazed by the true stories Dr. Wecht has to tell in this amazing real-life thriller. As this intriguing page-turner proves, the science of forensic pathology has changed the face of detective work forever.
Cyril H. Wecht, M.D., J.D. (Pittsburgh, PA), one of the world's leading pathologists, is the author of Who Killed JonBenet Ramsey?, Grave Secrets, Cause of Death, and hundreds of professional publications. He has served as president of both the American College of Legal Medicine and the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, and has appeared on numerous nationally syndicated television programs including NBC's Dateline, Larry King Live, 20/20, Burden of Proof, and many others. Greg Saitz (Parsippany, NJ), for many years a crime and court reporter for The (Newark) Star Ledger, now works on the business desk. Mark Curriden (Dallas, TX) is the lawyer-media strategist for Vinson & Elkins, LLP, and the former legal writer for The Dallas Morning News and The Atlanta Constitution. >.
Teenage Baby Killers?: The Truth Behind the Death of Baby Boy Grossberg; A Fallen Beauty Queen: Who Killed JonBenet Ramsey?; Sex, Drugs, and a Dead Casino Magnate: How Ted Binion Died; The Real Fugitive: Sam Sheppard and His Wife's Murder; Shoot-Out in Miracle Valley: The Killing of Religious Sect Members; Standing by Her Man: Tammy Wynette's Final Song; The Trials of O.J.: The Final Verdict; Robert Berdella: Madman or Just Murderer?; Heavy Metal Murder: The Curious Demise of Robert Curley; Index.
""Dr. Cyril Wecht has brilliantly fused his skills as a forensic pathologist, attorney and author to show how the world of forensic science is used and misused by prosecutors, defense attorneys, police and expert witnesses. Mortal Evidence is a primer on how the criminal justice system really works." -Dr. Michael M. Baden, Forensic Pathologist and former Chief Medical Examiner, New York City "Wecht is a master. Whether you agree or disagree with his conclusions - regarding Jon Benet Ramsey, Ted Binion, Sam Sheppard or OJ Simpson - you ignore his findings at great peril. In Mortal Evidence, Wecht brings back the dead and has them testify from the grave." -Alan Dershowitz, Harvard Law School "Each case leaves a chilling feeling as Dr. Wecht examines the footsteps of what each killer or killers may have done in some of America's most notorious crimes ... As always, Dr. Wecht finds the clues that others overlook." -Greta Van Susteren, Host of Fox News Channel's "On the Record"
