Customer Reviews

Guilty Until Proven Innocent

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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.

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.

Very well written. If you like court proceedings, etc. you will like this book. Tedious legalities but author kept it interesting

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...

This case of unsolved murder fascinates me on many levels - the justice level, psychologically, emotionally, and so on.
This book was written in 1977, only 4 years after the murder of Peter Reilly's mother.

I am from CT and have recently been introduced to the Peter Reilly case. Several other books have come to my attention, and I have read them. I have yet to read this one, although I will say at a glance it has the best photographs I have seen and also appears to be extremely thorough. I look forward to reading it in its entirety soon.

I found this book boring. After all the excellent reviews I wanted to read the book and agree that the topic is worthy but think that others might just find it as overlong and tiring as I did.