Customer Reviews

Of Murder and Madness: A True Story

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Famous, flamboyant, but brilliant Wyoming attorney Gerry Spence tells the start-to-finish story of a murder trial he was involved in.

For years, this book was out-of-print; few libraries had copies. So, when I ran across this book in the 'true crime' section of a University bookstore, I was elated.

Once I began reading it, there was no stopping me. [Spence is THAT kind of writer. He doesn't bore you for ten pages. He puts the hook in you after a few pages].

The book is rather lengthy, but that's okay. All he has to say needs to be said...in order to understand the crime committed, the background info that LED to the crime, and the actual courtroom drama itself.

This book is a VERY good read for anyone undecided on the death penalty. [It might even confuse you more as to where you're at regarding the death penalty. But that's fine. It will give you something to think about for quite some time].

Yes. This book is a definite page turner. Once started, I doubt you'll be able to put it down. I know I couldn't.

Best part is: it's the type of 'true crime' that could happen in Anywhere, U.S.A. NOT like the Charles Manson "Helter Skelter" true-crime that is sensationalized.

I'd suggest this book to anyone interested in: 1) death penalty cases. Pro or con. 2) real life justice and our legal system.

This is not a book for the faint hearted. Be cautious.

What a wonderful surprise this book is. Spence may be an "aw shucks" country lawyer on his T.V. appearances but "Of Murder And Madness" reveals him to be a deep thinker and a talented writer. Here, he parallels his own life with that of a murderer he defends. It is really most extraordinary. A good read and an informative discussion of the insanity defense. Luckily it's still in print. What a clever combination of legal thriller and autobiography. Read it. You really won't be sorry.

Trial attorney Gerry Spence writes a fascinating tale about one of his trials in which he defends the American underdog. Spence describes a chivalrous undertaking on his part, feeling that a more intellectually advanced human being should become involved with the problems of the less advanced, the unfortunate and the meek. In his book Half Moon and Empty Stars, Spence writes a defense story about the fateful American Indians in modern times, and in Of Murder and Madness his subjects are Mexican Americans in Wyoming and their dire circumstances. As the defense lawyer in a murder case, he takes us behind the scenes unveiling the caprice of the "courthouse club" and the criminal shortcomings of the Welfare Department. He says an insane society produces "skitz" (schizophrenia sufferers). The story of psychotic Joe is interwoven with Spence's autobiography and philosophical outlooks. The battle in this trial is for the lost soul of the defendant, a noble cause for one determined trial attorney. Gerborg

Hardly worth one star.Spence is unable to stick to the story, to stay with the storyline. The way some people like to hear themselves talk, Spence likes to read what he writes. The book could be OK but he meanders off on tangents about prostitutes, Mexicans, and a lot of things that have little to do with the storyline.

A wonderful read. Jerry Spence has done it again

How Mr. Spence can be proud of getting a stone cold killer off is beyond me. Joe Esquibell wasn't insane at the time he shot his
wife in the head IN FRONT OF EIGHT WITNESSES ! Mr. Spence and the Doc at the hospital were just tired of the whole
case, it having dragged on for 7 yrs., and the Doc. finally agreed to say that in his opinion (his 3rd flip-flop) Joe was insane at the
time he pulled the trigger. It was a sham. It was a lie.

And then after Joe is freed he of course returns to his old violent abusive boozing lifestyle and gets himself killed. And of all things
Mr. Spence wants the killer of Joe punished even tho he knows it was in self defense, that Joe attacked the guy first.

As you can see I obviously missed whatever good point you all above got out of this book.

Joe Esquibell was a user, abuser, violently jealous, violent in general, boozer. He never worked a day in his life. He had 5
illegitimate kids by three women (one a 14 y/o) that we are told of (you know he had more) that he never supported in any way
shape or form. He was a killer. If there was anyone who deserved the gas chamber it was he. And as far as
insane or not, to me it makes no difference. You take a life...you pay with your own. What's the good in keeping an insane person alive anyway? Especially one who kills. I don't understand it...an insane person has no life. They are the LIVINGDEAD. I think it's cruel to keep them alive in those hospitals where you know damn well they are treated like sh!t.

And what kind of women and/or man has baby after baby after baby when they know they can not support them (they can't
even support themselves for chirst sake!)..., when they don't really want them nor care about them. That is SICK. That's abuse. It's a sin. Joe Esquibell's mother out to be shot. She and her sheepherder husband (alcoholic) are responsible for this whole bloody mess. But that in no way absolves Joe, as Mr. Spence seems to think. Gerry Spence ought to be ashamed.

It's an ugly story about stupid thoughtless trashy people and Mr. Spence attempt to parallel his own life to Joes is a stretch (mr. spence used condoms :o) )