Alcatraz Justice

by Ernest B. Lageson Jr.

In May of 1946, Alcatraz was rocked by the most sensational and bloody escape attempt in the island's history Six convicts obtained guns and took nine guards hostage, one of whom was the author's father. Before the uprising was quelled, two guards and three prisoners lay dead and fifteen officers had been wounded.Drawing from his background as a litigation attorney with thirty-five years of jury trial experience, Ernest Lageson gives life to the drama played out after the crime. Presiding over the trial was a judge who, it could be argued, was prejudicial in favor of the prosecution, and who berated one young defense attorney mercilessly in front of the jury The most experienced of the defense team was ill-prepared and self-aggrandizing with the press. One of the defendants was severely mentally challenged and had been diagnosed as schizophrenic. In a dramatic, four-week courtroom battle, the surviving insurgents were found guilty of first-degree murder.

337 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2002

Reviews

[Kim]

I bought this book while visiting Alcatraz. The author was doing a signing and told some fascinating stories about being a kid living on Alcatraz.

[Timothy Kelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A glimpse of justice in the 1940s. Interesting read.

[Cheyanne Rash]

I met the author in Alcatraz for a field trip! Only a couple of us opted to go to the signing instead of other activities and I was so glad that I did! He told us amazing stories of his life! Wish I wasn’t so rushed and could have talked longer, but he signed and personalized the book for me!