The Defense Never Rests

by F. Lee Bailey

The controversial defense lawyer reviews his career, focusing on the Boston Strangler case, the Sam Sheppard vindication, and the Great Plymouth Mail Robbery

Genres: Nonfiction, Law, True Crime, Biography, Legal, Memoir, Justice

320 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1971

Reviews

[Daniel Walker Sr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Book

[Ken Oder · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an old book, published in 1971. Bailey recounts the early years of his spectacular career as a criminal defense attorney. While still in his early thirties and only a few years out of law school, Bailey represented some of the most notorious criminal defendants in the nation's history, including Sam Shepherd, whose story inspired the television series and movie, The Fugitive, Albert de Salvo, who admitted to Bailey that he was the Boston Strangler, Thomas Richards, accused of being the mastermind of the Great Plymouth Mail Robbery, a theft of 1.5 million dollars, then the largest mail heist ever, and Doctor Death, Carl Coppolino, accused of using an untraceable poison to murder his wife and his lover's husband. Bailey won most of these cases while up against mountains of strong evidence and public opinion hostile to his clients. In my opinion, he was the best criminal defense attorney in the nation during the second half of the twentieth century, and his zeal and prodigious skill comes through in these pages.
Bailey has an engaging story-telling writing style that resembles a pitch to a jury; the true stories are fascinating; and the insight into the characters of the accused is mesmerizing. My only reservation is that he's such a staunch advocate, he doesn't always level with the reader about the weaknesses of his cases and the likely guilt or innocence of his clients. My murder mystery, The Judas Murders, was inspired in part by Doctor Death, Carl Coppolino. I researched his case thoroughly. Bailey did an extraordinary job defending Coppolino, winning an acquittal in New Jersey on the strength of his lawyering skills alone, but losing in Florida because the evidence against his client proved he was a psychopathic murderer despite Bailey's Herculean effort to defend him. But in this book, Bailey omits most of that evidence in telling the story of the case.
Bottom line: This is a great read, especially for a lawyer, but don't accept everything in it as gospel.

[Mary JL · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well known, flamboyant defense attorney F. Lee Bailey discusses is some detail several of his early, prominent courtroom trials. The Toros Murder, The Boston Strangler, Carl Coppolino and so on. The one I found most interesting was the Sam Sheppard murder case.

The "inside look" is well writtten--of course, told from Bailey's point of view only. I found it interesting--not exceptional or gripping but not a waste of time either.

I did take note that Bailey says correctly that most defense lawyers tend to be "mavericks"--very individualistic in their approach. Since defending criminals is never popular, defense lawyers have to be tough.

Bailey also points out--correctly--that many Americans, though not all, do not seem to accept the 'innocent until proven guilty" idea. With much more faith in the infalliability of police and prosecutors that I have, many assume if you are in the court you did it. If found innocent, many assume "a tricky lawyer get him/her off". But our legal system has convicted many innocent parties over the years.

Recommended for person with interest in the court systems and how lawyers perpare their cases.

[Harry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written in 1971, this autobiography covers the first 20 years of Bailey's career as a young, brash and notoriety seeking criminal be lawyer. Indeed he handled some of the most notorious cases of the 60s including Sam Sheppard and the Boston Stranger. The summaries of these cases are well told and riveting. Bailey describes what is wrong with our criminal justice system at the end of the book. A subsequent book, "For the Defense", covers his cases up until 1975. As a "Maverick" or "renegade," Bailey often ran afoul of the established legal system. Unfortunately this led to his eventual disbarment from the Massachusetts and Florida Bars

[Sheree Hoffman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the book. It was in my Father's library ( yes, he was an attorney). Published in 1971, it gives some interesting insight ( much of which is negative ) into the realities of our criminal justice system as he defended those accused of some high profile crimes. He fell from grace in his later years. As an attorney myself, I could relate to much of what Bailey describes as faults within our legal system.

[Irish Gal · Rating 4 out of 5]

The version I read was the original from 1971, way before O.J. (He was a household name even back then, when lawyers couldn't advertise!) A little more detail on the Boston Strangler than I needed, but interesting to read real cases.

[David Strenfel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must read for any Criminal Defense Attorney. This will be a permanent fixture on my bookshelf.

[Angel Belladonna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some cases were interesting and other parts of the book felt like I was reading for homework instead of for pleasure.

[Irina Kovalyova · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent
It might not be to everyone's taste, but it's definitely mine. Based on true stories. A lawyer's work.

[ML · Rating 4 out of 5]

I first found this book in law school and once again as an attorney. To this day I still use some of the techniques in closing argument -- and have heard several other lawyers taking a few pages themselves. Brilliant man -- sad to hear how his story unfolded -- disbarred -- passing the bar at 80 in another state just to have his application denied. The glory of OJ to the infamy of being barred. Be careful when you stare into the abyss, because the abyss stares back into you.

At times the writing is a bit pompous -- but the content is solid.

If one cannot enjoy reading a book over and over again, there is no use in reading it at all.
Hopefully the last chapters in his life end on a Disney-esque note.

[Denis Farley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I met F. Lee in 1968 at a Holiday party given by his European firm in Frankfurt, Germany. The case load at Division JAG was such that junior officers were assigned to act as counselors for the defense or prosecution as well as sitting on the adjudicating board for a Special Courts-martial. During one of these episodes my friend Glen Jones and I were invited by one of Mr. Bailey's partners to research our cases at his offices. By the holiday I guess we were considered 'regular' enough for the festivities.

I particularly enjoyed Mr. Bailey's observations concerning the nature of evidence with regard to eye witnesses. His work with lie detectors was innovative.

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

From someone who doesn't particularly like non-fiction, this book was amazing! Straight up facts but with novel-style descriptions and a sense of humor. Very informative look at the reasoning and methods of a criminal defense lawyer who really knows his stuff.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rated: C

[Joni · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was a teenager when I read this book and I was completely impressed by the world of law and how fascinating the people who were accused of various crimes were defended in court. Highly recommended!

[Eric Ogilvie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good book. However, the focus on tests and equipment for deception or lies is basically outdated.

[James M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lee describes himself as a Type A personality. David Fuhrman would agree, don't you think?

[Jeanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

non-fiction. F.Lee Baileys accounts of murder cases he has defended.

[Chuck Russo · Rating 4 out of 5]

fascinating stories from the courtroom, as re-told by F. Lee Bailey