Search for Justice [Abridged, Audiobook] [Audio Cassette]

Robert L Shapiro (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 1996

In this fascinating and revealing look by a crucial participant who was there from the start, Shapiro recaptures the trial of O.J. Simpson, starting with the critical hours before and after O.J.'s arrest and including his own unique perspective on his fellow lawyers, the jury, the defense, the role of DNA, and a controversial verdict that divided a nation. Includes photo inserts. National ads/media. 2 cassettes. (Nonfiction)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Another addition to the ever expanding shelf of literature devoted to the Simpson trial. Attorney Robert Shapiro, architect of the defense strategy and assembler of the "dream team," offers his views of the characters and events of the trial. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

As the lead defense attorney for O.J. Simpson, Shapiro is ably suited to play the role of the avid apologist for both his client and the American criminal justice system, which assumes that a defendant is innocent until guilt is proven beyond a reasonable doubt. The author reminds us that the burden of proof rests with the prosecution and that the defense needs only to cast sufficient doubt on the state's case to bring about acquittal. Countering the prosecution's "mountain of evidence" with a "mountain of doubt," Shapiro shows how he and his colleagues were able to punch holes in such key areas as crime scene management, evidence collection and storage, crime lab techniques and conditions, DNA sample reliability, and the credibility and character of many of the prosecution's witnesses, most notably the now infamous Mark Fuhrman. The author does a good job of convincing the reader that fairness and justice dictated the verdict. His excellent book also penetrates the innermost workings of the defense team. Recommended for anyone interested in the tactics and strategies of criminal trial lawyers.?Phillip Young Blue, New York State Supreme Court Criminal Branch Lib.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Audio Cassette
• Publisher: Hachette Audio (April 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1570424322
• ISBN-13: 978-1570424328
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 2.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,924,260 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The "Quarterback's" journey through the trial of the century, June 13, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Search for Justice (Audio Cassette)

Robert Shapiro tells the story of HIS roller coaster ride from June 13th until the day of the verdict. The readers get an honest peak at the impact that this trial had on perhaps one of the most well-respected criminal attorneys. Shapiro is not reluctant to address his opinion on O.J. Simpson, Johnny Cochran, Marcia Clark, Judge Ito and even the jurors.

6 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars His Search for Truth, March 5, 2003

By 

Acute Observer (N. Jersey Shore) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Search for Justice: A Defense Attorney's Brief on the O.J. Simpson Case (Hardcover)

The Prologue tells about the Bill of Rights, and the duty of a defense lawyer to represent his client. RLS politely tries to educate the willfully ignorant about law and reality. The corporate media should be blamed for its misinformation. The death of a spouse focuses suspicion on a surviving spouse, especially if they were alone and have no alibi. An accusation is enough to destroy a life. This very readable book lacks an index and table of contents; it is not a good reference.

Chapter One tells why RLS has to know if his client committed the crime, else the prosecutor has an advantage. He asked OJ Simpson if he did it: "I did not do this" (p.10). Once the justice system locks in, innocence has nothing to do with the outcome of a case! Against OJ were 45 deputy district attorneys, the resources of the LAPD, and the assistance of the Chicago PD, the FBI, and Interpol. There was never any consideration of a plea bargain by anyone (p.13). Chapter Two tells of his recruitment of the experts. If a detective's job becomes "getting the guy", then that is improper and foolish. In a rush to judgment evidence is overlooked or mishandled, and procedural and investigative mistakes are made. They would let OJ take a lie detector test if the results would be admitted to court; Marcia Clark refused this (pp.26-7). This test creates charts that can be interpreted in different ways, and challenged on the basis of wrong questions framed the wrong way!

The murderer had to hav some bodily injury from this violent struggle. RLS had OJ's physical condition recorded immediately. There was an unprecedented swarm of reporters on this case (p.35). Why was it played up so much by the corporate media? Pages 60-62 explain why the grand jury was dismissed and a preliminary hearing was obtained. Pages 70-72 tell of the problems where four detectives left the Bundy crime scene to travel to Rockingham. The more important the evidence is to the prosecution, the lower the constitutional standard (p.86)! The judge is part of the prosecution team, usually a former prosecutor (p.109). The forensic criteria puts the deaths after 11PM (p.91). Mark Fuhrman was the key detective in the all-important first hours, but his name never appeared in the reports (p.93). Crime laboratories are exempt from regulation and review (p.149), that's why the defense wanted the evidence checked by their experts. The polling as to OJ's guilt was not based on what you knew, but on who your parents were (p.192)! Pages 218-9 summarizes RLS' dispute with F Lee Bailey. The gloves didn't fit because they didn't belong to OJ (p.295). Hair examinations have never been recognized as a positive means of identification (p.302).

EDTA is used to preserve blood samples (p.313). If EDTA is found in blood evidence, then it was planted as real evidence on those socks and the back gate. In August 1995 the McKinney tapes were turned over to the defense. who tried to get them into court. Page 318 suggests to me that the substitute for the coroner committed prosecutorial perjury: submitting opinions for fact. Page 319 tells how Marcia Clark tried to protect a prosecutorial witness from his perjury, then tried to replace the judge! RLS was "stunned" by the speed of the verdict, but isn't that usual when they don't believe the prosecution's case? RLS tells of the errors in the prosecution's case, and why the "mountain of evidence" collapsed (p.352-4). Could the anti-defense attitude in the press corps (p.357) be explained by the policy of the National Association of Editors & Publishers or the corporate media owners? That's a bigger problem than in just one criminal case.

5 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars A Defense Attorney's Moment of Self Glorification, April 26, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: The Search for Justice: A Defense Attorney's Brief on the O.J. Simpson Case (Hardcover)

One book reviewer said that the OJ Simpson Trial will not truly be over until everyone involved has written a book about it. Robert Shapiro has thrown his log on the fire with this recent book.
In it he delivers an account of the OJ Simpson trial in a manner that makes him look like the savior of the American justice system. F. Lee Bailey is an underhanded crook who leaked information to the media and who can't cross examine to save his life.
Cochran is a blatant race card player who was all fluff and no substance, and even had the audacity to compare Mark Fuhrman to Hitler. On top of that, Shapiro was the only person who was willing to cooperate with the LAPD.

This self righteous angle takes away from any value the book might possess. Unfortunately it is the only angle that separates it from the library of commentary the trial has generated.

My recommendation is to leave it on the shelf, because you can probably get better facts on the trial around the water cooler at work.