Go Set a Watchman—How is It?

go set a watchmanOkay, since everyone else is commenting on the “new” Harper Lee book, Go Set a Watchman, I thought I’d add a few cents.  Well, I’ll really direct you to a great editorial carried in the Star Tribune and written by Howell Raines.  http://www.startribune.com/go-set-a-watchman-on-further-reflection/317644551/

Howell Raines was the former managing editor at the New York Times and has written …

Stupid Mistakes Made by Criminals

In many years as a defense lawyer, I’ve seen some stupid mistakes made by criminals.  Like all of us they screw up.  Unlike most of us, stupid mistakes made by criminalsthey also commit crimes.  Here are some of them from real life:

1.  A burglar named Bob broke into a suburban house through the sliding door on the patio.  Dressed in black, …

Pay Criminals to Stop Murder??

pay criminalsThere was a fascinating commentary in the New York Times this week called, “To Stop Crime, Hand Over Cash,” by Devone Boggan.  http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/05/opinion/sunday/to-stop-crime-hand-over-cash.html?ref=opinion&_r=0  The author thinks we should pay criminals to stop murder.

I’ve worked in the criminal justice system for over thirty years.  Crime prevention has taken many turns—usually in two ways:

1.  More police, more enforcement…

Five Myths about Crime Today

myths about crimeMyself and a prosecutor (I’m a criminal defense lawyer working in a public defender office in Minnesota) spoke to a group of mystery writers last night.  The prosecutor was actually the featured speaker although as we got into issues of criminal justice, the questions flew at both of us.  Here are some of them:

1.  We should just …

The Sixth Extinction—Fascinating and Scary!

the sixth extinctionHere’s a new book I finished that I think you’ll like.  The Sixth Extinction–An Unnatural History by Elizabeth Kolbert.    http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=elizabeth+kolbert   In an effort to read more science related books, I read hers.  She’s a journalist who traveled all over the world interviewing scientists about this issue—so she writes in an interesting and informative way.  I can understand it!…