When a Child Kills [Paperback]

Paul Mones (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 1992

An exploration of the world of parracide presents the stories of eight children accused of killing their parents, discussing the facts in their cases and the outcome of their trials. Reprint. AB.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

L.A. attorney Mones eloquently defends brutalized teenage parricides in this well-documented study of juvenile crime and parental sadism.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Not since the highly publicized 60 Minutes interview of Richard Jahnke, who at age 16 killed his father in their Wyoming home, and Alan Prendergast's ensuing book The Poison Tree ( LJ 6/1/86) have we glimpsed the stark reality of parricide. Although very little has been written on the subject, Mones is the leading authority in defending these cases. He humanely conveys the plight of children caught in the web of child abuse and/or neglect. With compassionate insight, he documents the cases of eight children and presents interviews with 12 more, chronicling the years of abuse that led to their desperate actions. Mones's study is more involving than Muriel Gardiner's Deadly Innocents: Portraits of Children Who Kill ( LJ 7/76). In an informative but casual writing style, he presents a strong case for compassion toward those trapped in a justice system unwilling or unable to cope with family violence. Highly recommended.
- Lisa Wise, Steele Memorial Lib., Elmira, N.Y.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Pocket (September 1, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0671674218
• ISBN-13: 978-0671674212
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 3.9 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,505,446 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Eye-opening, January 4, 2005

By 

Englynd - See all my reviews

This review is from: When a Child Kills (Paperback)

This was a phenomenal book. It offerred a unique, unglorified view of the types of situations in which children sometimes turn to violence to escape abuse. A must-read for anyone who finds themselves in a position where they come into contact with children who have been, or are being abused.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An exceptionally insightful view of family violence., September 15, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: When a Child Kills (Paperback)

When A Child Kills is an exceptionally insightful view of family violence and it's tragic outcome. Paul Mones shows us the unflinching truth of what we are doing to our children and what happens when they snap. With sensitivity for the real victims of parenticide, he describes, with numerous case examples, the various players in violent familial relationship and the almost predictable way that some children fight back. Mones discusses how some children are abused, unloved and humiliated repeatedly until they fear and loath their own parent. This fear and loathing mixes with the love they have for the parent and they end up feeling trapped and helpless. When they can no longer take the abuse or fear so desperately the next episode, they strike out at the moment they feel safest(usually when the parent is asleep). Mones explains how the child's fear is the very thing that makes the public believe the murder was in cold blood. I could say you won't want to put this book down but I found that I had to put it down frequently because I was shaking, I was so mad at the parents for the abuse and the untenable situation into which they put their own children. A disturbing, well written, thoughful, honest book. Robert Quinn-O'Connor [e-mail] Collingdale, PA, USA

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars honest author, February 19, 2006

By 

Freundin (USA and Germany) - See all my reviews

This review is from: When a Child Kills: Abused Children Who Kill Their Parents (Hardcover)

After watching the Cody Posey murder trial (Court TV) I wanted to know more about this topic. Cody Posey testified in his trial that he had suffered horrible abuse at the hands of his father. I was very moved by his testimony and disappointed about his conviction. One of the interviewed Court TV trial experts for child abuse cases recommended the book When a Child Kills by Paul Mones. Luckily, my local library had this book.

This book is very shocking. I had to put it down after every chapter in order to process the facts. The author describes in a brutally raw way why some children kill their parents. I wouldn't call it child abuse in some of the described cases, I would call it severe torture.

The book (written in 1991) is timeless. Cody Posey's life story could have been one of the seven sad stories documented in this book. I am an atheist. I think hell is right here on earth.