Danger Road: A True Crime Story of Murder and Redemption [Paperback]

John P. Contini (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 15, 2012

Danger Road chronicles the incredible true story of three drug dealers who were brutally murdered in 1983 on Danger Road in the Florida Everglades. Lured into a phony drug deal each victim hoped would be his big retirement score, they allegedly found themselves at the business end of a gun wielded by a Miami-Dade police officer. But police and prosecutors say Officer Gilbert Fernandez, Jr. and his crew weren't there to arrest the drug dealers. They were there to execute them and steal their eight kilos of cocaine.

The story details the transformation of Fernandez, a former Mr. Florida bodybuilding champion and black-belt karate instructor, who by many accounts turned his life around during the intervening years between the 1983 murders and his triple-murder indictment in 1990. The man once named " Miami 's Meanest Cop" no longer abused and intimidated detainees like he did when he was a police officer; he had become a loving father who lived to convert people to his newfound faith in Christianity. In spite of this radical transformation, Fernandez found himself on trial for his life in 1991. Danger Road is the story of that trial, told by John P. Contini, the Fort Lauderdale Criminal Lawyer who represented him.

Contini gives readers a unique insider perspective on the mindsets of both a defense attorney in a capital murder case and a defendant who had become a completely different person by the time of his trial. Danger Road also reveals details about the influence of the media on the trial, and the biased judge and prosecutors who were hell-bent to send Fernandez to the chair. By ripping the lid off the behind-the-scenes machinations of our legal system, one of the author's goals was to cause readers to take another look at the way justice is dispensed in our society.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Danger Road rips the curtain off a high profile murder case that has the highest stakes possible: life or death. Then it takes you into the bowels of the justice system and on this journey you go from the darkest, coldest heart to the crowning glory of the human condition. Danger Road is a searing and scintillating gawk at the truth about our legal system and ourselves." --Howard Finkelstein, trial lawyer

"John Contini has written a fascinating true crime book of one of the most high profile murder cases in Broward County history. In addition, he has managed to superbly display the psychology behind the tense moments in the courtroom with his frank disclosure of his own insightful self-talk during that time. It is as honest as it gets and I was not able to put the book down.. and I already knew the ending!" --Michael Brannon, forensic psychologist

"John's work goes beyond just being another true crime book: It is a riveting morality treatise affording extraordinary insight into a homicide's rippling effects not only on the immediate participants but also on all who are touched by the ongoing waves of its horror - yet revealing hope that a measure of good can spring out of even the machinations of evil. " --Brian Cavanagh, Chief of Homicide, Broward State Attorney's Office

John Contini has written a fascinating true crime book of one of the most high profile murder cases in Broward County history. In addition, he has managed to superbly display the psychology behind the tense moments in the courtroom with his frank disclosure of his own insightful self-talk during that time. It is as honest as it gets and I was not able to put the book down.. and I already knew the ending! --Michael Brannon, forensic psychologist

John s work goes beyond just being another true crime book: It is a riveting morality treatise affording extraordinary insight into a homicide's rippling effects not only on the immediate participants but also on all who are touched by the ongoing waves of its horror - yet revealing hope that a measure of good can spring out of even the machinations of evil. --Brian Cavanagh, Chief of Homicide, Broward State Attorney"s Office

About the Author

John Patrick Contini is a former prosecutor and veteran South Florida criminal defense attorney since 1983. With over twenty years experience as a trial attorney, John appears in Federal Courts throughout the nation and Florida: Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, Palm Beach, Tampa and Orlando; Ft. Worth, TX; Charlotte, NC; Trenton, NJ; Pittsburgh, PA; Boston, MA; and Cleveland OH, to date. John received his B.A. in 1979 from the University of MA and his Juris Doctor in 1982 from the New England School of Law.

"Being a good lawyer is not just about winning and it's not just about caring for people--it's both. I personally believe that it's no fun being a lawyer unless you can genuinely help people, and allow them to get on with their lives. The question I am most often asked as a South Florida criminal defense attorney is: 'How can you defend someone when you know they are guilty?' For me, the answer is easy. I believe in condemning the act, not the person (John 8:11). This principle is consistent with my Faith. In Matt. 9:12, Jesus essentially answers the same question this way: 'It's not the healthy who need a physician, but the sick. I desire mercy, not sacrifice... ' I unapologetically enjoy helping someone who is otherwise shunned and condemned by others, and society." --John Patrick Contini

He is a frequent speaker at area schools, drug and alcohol rehabilitation facilities (i.e. Faith Farm), jails and prisons, juvenile boot camps, church youth groups, and radio/cable TV talk shows. He was privileged to speak at Faith Deliverance Cathedral, Dr. Rorie; of Hollywood, FL and New Hope Ministries, Apostle Frank Lloyd, of Ft. Lauderdale, FL, as well as dozens more. John is a member of:

* The Massachusetts Bar

* The Florida Bar

* The U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth and Eleventh Circuit

* The United States District Court for the Southern and Middle Districts of Florida

* The National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

* The Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

* The Broward Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

* The Association of Trial Lawyers of America

Product Details

• Paperback: 254 pages
• Publisher: Liberty Press Publishing; 2nd printing edition (March 15, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0977317404
• ISBN-13: 978-0977317400
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,185,795 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

John P. Contini became a Broward County prosecutor in 1983 and has been a criminal defense attorney since 1987. He received his B.A. in 1979 from the University of Massachusetts and his Juris Doctor in 1982 from the New England School of Law. Among other professional associations, he is a member of the Florida and Massachusetts Bar Associations, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and the Association of Trial Lawyers of America.

John has earned a reputation as an attorney who will defend the indefensible. According to him, "The criminally accused are treated like modern-day lepers. Those who are shunned and ostracized by society need our help and mercy the most. After all, we must demonstrate forgiveness if we want to be forgiven ourselves."

Public Appearances:
Over a 20-year period, John has been interviewed regarding criminal cases for television news shows on every South Florida news network. Video clips of some of his appearances on the news are available at his Web sites, located at www.JohnContini.com and www.jpcontini.com. You may also check out John's YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/johncontini.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This Book Will Absorb Your Mind, December 2, 2006

By 

C. M. Manis (Sunrise, Florida) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Danger Road (Hardcover)

One you start reading Danger Road, you won't be able to stop. This book chronicles a real life tragedy, the legal aftermath of the murder of three drug dealers. If you have ever wanted to know what the REAL legal justice system is all about, this book is for you. You don't need to be a legal expert to understand what is going on in the courtroom. The author was the defense attorney in this case who explains what is happening, why it is happening, and the real world impact these proceedings have on the people's lives who were affected in this case. What I found most intriguing was the way we get to know what the attorney was thinking as the trial evolved. This is a must read for anyone who wants to know the truth about the American criminal justice system. Turn off your cell phone; you won't be able to put this book down.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Redemtion, March 8, 2007

By 

Larry G. Groot (Seattle, Wa.) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Danger Road: A True Crime Story of Murder and Redemption (Paperback)

I'm not a big fan of defense lawyers but John Contini is an exception. His story is a story of his failings as much as the failings of the man he defended. Both are an excellent display of God's forgiveness and redemtion in the heart of man.

4.0 out of 5 stars He Redeems All, July 27, 2011

By 

dub "Le Mec" (MIA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Danger Road: A True Crime Story of Murder and Redemption (Paperback)

You know the old saying that goes: At the bottom of the ocean are sharks, used car salesmen and attorneys? Well I'm here to gladly tell you that such saying does not apply to this guy. John Contini-the author of "Danger Road" is truly a remarkable individual and on any given day might be mistaken for a minister by trade as opposed to an attorney. The book chronicles the gripping tale of a Miami-Dade County Cop accused of a triple murder, his specific request for a Christian Defense attorney, the entire trial proceedings and what became of the accused killer when it was all said and done! As a reader, you're taught the inner workings of the judicial system as well the jurors' plight, being involved in such a weighty case as this one. This book fits all categories and is a definite recommendation on my list: future/student attorneys-checked. Veteran attorneys-also checked. Strong Biblical Christians--checked. Those who are still lost and have no knowledge that God redeems all-even those who are convicted of heinous crimes--Double check!! I am sure that taking on this trial contributed greatly to Mr. Contini's contagious faith in the Lord. May God bless him richly, and enlighten all who are lucky enough to put their hands on a copy of this book.

God Bless All.

Mr. E