Tales from the Morgue: Forensic Answers to Nine Famous Cases Including the Scott Peterson & Chandra Levy Cases [Hardcover]

Cyril H. Wecht (Author), Mark Curriden (Author), Angela Powell (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 159102353X | ISBN-13: 978-1591023531 | Publication Date: October 2005

Was Scott Peterson convicted of murdering Laci Peterson based upon circumstantial evidence alone? Did Washington intern Chandra Levy know her killer? In "Tales from the Morgue", Dr Cyril Wecht, one of the most sought-after forensic pathologists in the world, shares his insights and scientific expertise on nine cases that he has officially investigated - high-profile cases as well as other lesser-known but highly intriguing mysteries. Dr Wecht takes the reader inside some of the nation's most bizarre and intriguing medico-legal investigations and shows how forensic scientists help to solve crimes - and why they sometimes fail in their efforts. His vast experience and his willingness to take on the establishment if necessary and provide proof that runs counter to popular opinion make this book a page-turner.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Starred Review. Esteemed Pittsburgh pathologist Wecht, who's been called on to lend his expertise to the JonBenet Ramsey and O.J. Simpson cases, sorts out the evidence, or lack thereof, in the scandalous circumstances of Scott Peterson and Chandra Levy, explains why he thinks the JFK assassination was a conspiracy and agrees with the original Marilyn Monroe autopsy that found no signs of foul play. He makes an articulate argument in defense of basketball star Jayson Williams, accused of manslaughter in a 2002 shooting death on his New Jersey estate, but the most fascinating and disturbing cases are the least well known. The 1995 death of Jonny Gammage, a black man who died at the hands of police during a traffic stop, and the alleged 1989 suicide of Marine Corps captain Jeffrey Digman are prime examples. In one case, Wecht concludes that a 1985 plane crash that killed 248 American soldiers was caused by sabotage and covered up by officials. What makes Wecht's arguments so persuasive is that he lets scientific facts-or at least his expert interpretation of them-do the talking. Photos.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From School Library Journal

Adult/High School–Young people drawn to the broad fields of criminal justice, medicine, or science will be fascinated by the forensic findings presented here. The thought-provoking cases span 40 years of renowned pathologist Wecht's career and are arranged chronologically from most recent (2002) to oldest (1962). They were also selected to uphold or refute the legal-medical decisions made by other professionals. The subjects include John F. Kennedy, Marilyn Monroe, Chandra Levy, Scott Peterson, and the airliner crash in Gander, Newfoundland. Context provided for each scenario is intertwined with detailed forensic evidence. The conclusions may or may not agree with popular judgments. In three instances, strong arguments are made that subterfuge was used to mask critical forensic evidence, and Wecht challenges authorities to reopen the cases. Readers may view Tales as another collection of his memoirs. Like Grave Secrets (Penguin, 1996) and Mortal Evidence (Prometheus, 2004), this chatty yet analytical book is written to appeal to laypersons, and it does. Its whodunit aspect is magnetic.–Claudia C. Holland, Chantilly Regional Library, Fairfax County, VA
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 314 pages
• Publisher: Prometheus Books (October 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 159102353X
• ISBN-13: 978-1591023531
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.4 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #312,602 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Cyril H. Wecht, MD, JD, one of the world's leading forensic pathologists/lawyers, is the author or co-author of A Question of Murder, Tales from the Morgue, Mortal Evidence, 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 Dateline NBC, 48 Hours Mystery, 20/20, On the Record with Greta Van Susteren, Geraldo at Large, Issues with Jane Velez- Mitchell, and many others.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Analyze This, May 24, 2006

By 

R. Schultz (Chicago) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Tales from the Morgue: Forensic Answers to Nine Famous Cases Including the Scott Peterson & Chandra Levy Cases (Hardcover)

This book is not particularly well-written. It's somewhat cobbled-together, a Frankenstein creation of mismatched parts.

And here and there the reasoning doesn't seem sound. For example, Dr. Wecht's summary feeling that Scott Peterson was unfairly convicted of killing his wife and unborn son isn't sensible. He is basing his objection on the fact that all the evidence against Peterson was circumstantial. Well, but given the weight of that evidence...

Then in his chapter on the accidental shooting committed by Johnny Gammage, basketball player, Wecht quotes the forensic testimony he gave on the stand. This testimony is garbled and contradictory. Wecht couldn't have been of much help to the attorneys for whom he was testifying.

Again, in his analysis of the 1985 crash of the military plane Arrow Jet 950 in Newfoundland, Wecht seems to overlook a key possibility. He takes issue with the official conclusion that the crash occurred because of inadequate plane de-icing, and that the fire that engulfed the plane only occurred after impact. Wecht thinks the condition of the dead passengers and crew belie this conclusion, because he found smoke in some of the victims' lungs. Wecht's own theory is that it's likelier some sort of explosion (possibly even a terrorist bomb) rocked the plane in mid-air, causing an in-flight fire. But finding smoke in victims' lungs could also mean that some of the passengers survived a few moments after the crash and inhaled smoke from the fire that did in fact occur only after impact - couldn't it?

Some better chapters follow, but by this time I was growing leery of Wecht's interpretations. So even though he presents an interesting, concise account of the Kennedy assassination, I don't quite trust his dissenting conclusion about it, especially since the majority of his peers reviewing recently released material come to opposite conclusions. However his theory sounds correct.

Similarly his chapter on Marilyn Monroe's death sounds as if it could be the final word on the subject. His unsensational theory about her cause of death should quash all the lurid, teasing TV speculations that periodically get aired. But even here, Wecht undermines an otherwise good analysis. He sees fit to gratuitously interject the fact that Marilyn Monroe wasn't his "type," that he prefers "cool brunettes." Informing us of his taste in woman while he contemplates Monroe's stomach and colon contents, makes him sound like the ultimate jerk. He perpetrates one final indignity on Monroe.

But there is value in reading about these different cases on which Wecht says he consulted. You'll get summaries of the facts of each case. And you will learn how much of forensics is art rather than science. You'll come to better distinguish the dramatized certitudes of the CSI series from real life, where there are often as many different opinions about the cause of a crime as there are forensic scientists working on the case.

12 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stellar Examination of Crime Cases, November 9, 2005

By 

Benjamin N. Selvon (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tales from the Morgue: Forensic Answers to Nine Famous Cases Including the Scott Peterson & Chandra Levy Cases (Hardcover)

Cyril H. Wecht deserves his starred review. His investigations are stellar. His work is unparalleled.

Here we have a true top-notch investigative crime book. Wecht is eminently analytical on some truly thorny, gruesome cases-and his insights are above any in other books on these cases.

Wecht scrutinizes these cases with salient awareness and comprehension. His examinations of enigmatic cases are clear and concise and well-defined. His prose is readable and gripping. He discerns carefully and easily and allows the reader to savor the process.

He delves the JFK controversy. His grips his fingers into Marilyn Monroe's supposed homicide and asserts some shocking conclusions. He engages every last detail. The results are penetrating.

Wecht is a venerated pathologist who is unrelentingly investigative. He is not afraid to dredge up government cover-ups. He doesn't let facts stay hidden. He's a modern day sleuth on par with Sherlock Holmes. Finally, an investigator who doesn't mope around in rigmarole. He goes for the good stuff. And does it with precision.

Wecht is at the top of his field. This book is a testimony to his uncanny expertise. Anyone with an appreciation for prime criminal analysis needs this book. I applaud Wecht's paramount efforts.

9 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Hard to Evaluate, March 7, 2006

By 

Loyd E. Eskildson "Pragmatist" (Phoenix, AZ.) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Tales from the Morgue: Forensic Answers to Nine Famous Cases Including the Scott Peterson & Chandra Levy Cases (Hardcover)

"Tales From the Morgue" presents Dr. Wecht's analyses of 9 cases, from old to recent, and involving unknowns to JFK. Most of the book is taken up with background information - eg. Scott Peterson and Marilyn Monroe's lives, and in a number of cases Wecht's second opinion adds nothing to what had already been concluded. However, in two others (JFK's assassination, The Gander Air Crash) his conclusions, while well documented, vary markedly from the official record.

Scott Peterson: Wecht was hired by the defense to do an autopsy review on Laci and Connor's bodies. Wecht found no evidence pointing to Scott, but did observe that the body was found only one mile from where Scott went fishing, leaving only two explanations: 1)Scott did it, or 2)Someone else did it and tried to frame Scott. Since the latter seems extremely implausible, one is left with the conclusion that Scott did it, even though Dr. Wecht was amazed that anyone would be convicted solely on circumstantial evidence.

Jayson Williams: Basketball star accused of reckless manslaughter in the accidental shooting of a chauffer at his house. Wecht's analysis went into great detail, but ultimately offered no clear insight on WIlliams' guilt or innocence.

Chandra Levy: Wecht concluded that she was probably strangled - adding nothing useful to the case beyond what already had been concluded. (To be fair, however, the body had been outside for over a year before being found, and there was probably very little that could be concluded.)

Gander Air Crash: Occurred 12/85, killing 248 soldiers returning from Mid-East duty. The official report concluded that wing ice was the cause; however, a minority report concluded that this was not likely. One witness reported seeing a fireball prior to the crash, and toxicology reports found very high carbon-monoxide levels in over four dozen soldiers. Wecht concluded that there had been a fire prior to the crash and suggested the investigation be re-opened. Unfortunately, most of the evidence had since been destroyed. Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility for the crash - supposedly an outgrowth of Oliver North having shorted Iran on promised missiles. Thus, fear of exposing Iran-Contra wrongdoings supposedly prevented Reagan or Bush I from reopening the case.

JFK: Wecht spent two days reviewing the evidence at the National Archives. Concluded that there were two shooters, and at least four shots were fired - not possible with only the gun Oswald was using. Wecht's conclusion is that the initial autopsy was sloppy, and subsequently was covered up to avoid embarrassment.

Marilyn Monroe: A fairly mundane case - no evidence of illegal drug use, but did find high levels (about 8X a fatal amount) of a sedative (chloral hydrate) in her blood.

Bottom Line: Dr. Wecht concluded that conspiracies existed in two high profile cases. I'm not much for conspiracy theories, but then we have had cover-ups galore in the last few years - so he may well be correct.