Customer Reviews

Tunnel Vision: Trial & Error

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

 

 

An interesting book because of its author; a convicted murderer. Marshall and his late sister did a good job with the writing, but fail to answer too many questions. Why Marshall spent thousands supposedly hiring private investigators from Louisiana to check on missing money in his Harrah's account, something which is central to the story, is never really cleared up. Nor does he address why even his two eldest sons concluded that he was guilty -- not by itself proof of guilt, but worth wondering about. As literature and as debate material, ultimately disappointing.

A sorry attempt to explain how he was "framed" for his wifes murder. Bad lawyers, lying cops, corrupt legal system. Yeah right! He is guilty as sin and deserves to be right where he is. This book is a waste.

He, Jeffrey MacDonald, John Orr and Diane Downs should all be roomies.

It amazes me how murderers are allowed permitted to write books designed to paint themselves as "innocent."

I hope no one bought this!

I read Tunnel Vision because I wanted to hear Robert O Marshall's side of the story. I concluded that only the most hard-core of the wrongly convicted junkies could believe his version of this saga. It is simply implausible, incredible and over the top.
First of all, each page drips with Marshall's unabashed narcissism. He's the guy who's the best at everything. The best tennis player, the best blackjack player, the best skier. All the hot women want him. He writes this story like some kind of prisoners fantasy of the high life he once lived.
But after reading the book, I came away with a new theory as to what happened here. I think Marshall steadfastly maintains his innocence because it was never his original intent to have his wife murdered. Many unhappily married men have a dark thought now and then about what life would be like if their wife were just gone and away with. A chance encounter with an out-of-towner, Robert Cumber, turned that dark thought into a sprouting seed.
Marshall met Cumber at a party in May of 1984 ( a party he didn't even want to go to, but his wife insisted he attend. ) He writes that he and Cumber sat at the bar for four hours, ' got tight ', and confided in each other their marital problems. Cumber said he knew a former Sheriff's deputy back in Louisiana.
For Marshall, the great risk assessor, who named his own boat Double Down, the wheels started turning. Who but a former law enforcement officer to be a hired hitman? Marshall proceeded to feel out the situation and decided that summer that it was worth the risk to hire somebody to kill his wife. He would be rich and rid of her and free to be with the new love of his life.
There is a saying, Nobody talks, Everybody walks. Problem was, his hit man decided to talk to save himself when the police investigation found out about him. In the end, Marshall bet it all and he lost.
The other irritating aspect of this book, was the weak substitute of people's real names. For instance, he refers to Mudman Simon as Mo Muddling. Come on, this was a death row inmate. What is he protecting? The guy's reputation?
I gave the book two stars because it was fairly interesting, if obviously a false story Marshall has had decades to manufacture. And I don't think he is a dangerous criminal or a threat to others. In fact, as he was once the big dog in the Toms River social scene, he probably is the brightest guy at New Jersey State Prison. The murder of his wife was a one time desperation deal. He rolled the dice and he lost.

If Rob Marshall is innocent in the death of his wife then he is the most unlucky man on earth. I mean what are the odds that a man from Lousiana,a man Marhall had sent large chunks of money to, would just happen to be in a deserted park in New Jersey after dark when Marshall just randomly pulled in there because of "tire" trouble. And then this Louisiana guy gives Marshall a little bump on the head and kills his sleeping wife for no apparent reason. Its just a little hard to believe, don't you think. I would like to see some of those crime solving psychics take a look at this case, and Scott Peterson and Jeffrey McDonald, and see what conclusion they come to.

I'm innocent! The universal cry of all men (and women) on death row. Or, "ok, the evidence was videotaped and witnessed by six nuns, so NOW I'VE FOUND JESUS so don't kill me."

This man takes chutzpah to a new level. Everybody's soooo mean to him. Those nasty old prosecutors and cops who followed the evidence right to his smarmy door.

The man is guilty and turns and twists to hard to try to wiggle out that this book needs a chiropractor.

If you have read the book Blind Faith you MUST read Tunnel Vision also. Robert Marshall gives you a look into the truth about his story. He tells you what really happened when his family was tragically torn apart by his wife's murder. In his book he is able to clear up many untruths that were published in the book Blind Faith. I was amazed at how "uninvolved" his trial lawyer was with his case. To Robert's great unfortune he had the wrong man defending his life. I HIGHLY recommend this book, it is well written and will give any reader great pause. I hope Robert finds the justice he deserves and is released from prison.