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Defending A Serial Killer: The Right To Counsel
The Fifth and Sixth Amendments to the Constitution of the United States guarantee the right against self-incrimination, the right to remain silent, and the right to counsel.
A crime wave swept California in the late 1970s. Several young girls were abducted, raped, and murdered. Michael Dee Mattson was convicted of these crimes and sentenced to death.
Law clerk by day, family man by night.
In 1982, Jim Potts—a brilliant, idealistic, African American law student—is honored when one of his professors recruits him to assist in writing a death penalty appeal on behalf of a serial killer.
Potts discovers a loophole in the case that had somehow been overlooked. One that could not only get Mattson off death row, but once presented to the Supreme Court of California, could release him to rape and murder again. When Potts confides in his pregnant wife, she says if Mattson goes free, their marriage is over. But if Potts quits the case, or withholds information, he violates his duty to client and Constitution and risks his career before it even begins.
A moral dilemma with no good way out.
To avoid losing his family and releasing pure evil back into the world, Potts must be smarter than his options; he must find a way to keep his family together, fulfill his duties, and keep Mattson behind bars.
But can he?
A crime wave swept California in the late 1970s. Several young girls were abducted, raped, and murdered. Michael Dee Mattson was convicted of these crimes and sentenced to death.
Law clerk by day, family man by night.
In 1982, Jim Potts—a brilliant, idealistic, African American law student—is honored when one of his professors recruits him to assist in writing a death penalty appeal on behalf of a serial killer.
Potts discovers a loophole in the case that had somehow been overlooked. One that could not only get Mattson off death row, but once presented to the Supreme Court of California, could release him to rape and murder again. When Potts confides in his pregnant wife, she says if Mattson goes free, their marriage is over. But if Potts quits the case, or withholds information, he violates his duty to client and Constitution and risks his career before it even begins.
A moral dilemma with no good way out.
To avoid losing his family and releasing pure evil back into the world, Potts must be smarter than his options; he must find a way to keep his family together, fulfill his duties, and keep Mattson behind bars.
But can he?
264 pages, Paperback
Published July 20, 2021
9 people are currently reading
51 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
July 21, 2021
This truly is not one of the book genres that I usually read. But since I received an advance copy, I thought I would give it a try and found it fascinating.
The author does a very good job of explaining not only his discomfort with taking on this case, but also the impact it has on his wife.
If there is a negative side to this book, I think the author gives too much information. At my level I don’t need to have the actual cases included in the book and the incredible detail they went through through the legal system. I completely understand why they wrote all that —if you did all the work, he might as well share it.
The author does a great job of giving background of both the criminal he is defending and his own legal background.
I recommend this book, If you have a strong stomach.
The author does a very good job of explaining not only his discomfort with taking on this case, but also the impact it has on his wife.
If there is a negative side to this book, I think the author gives too much information. At my level I don’t need to have the actual cases included in the book and the incredible detail they went through through the legal system. I completely understand why they wrote all that —if you did all the work, he might as well share it.
The author does a great job of giving background of both the criminal he is defending and his own legal background.
I recommend this book, If you have a strong stomach.
March 15, 2022
This is a well-researched, professionally-presented book discussing the case of Michael Dee Mattson. It tackles the philosophical and moral question about whether or not a despicable human being deserves to be defended, and how one puts their distaste aside in order to defend a killer. It's packed with information and I found myself highlighting it quite a bit almost as though it was a textbook. It's not a quick read, but rather something you'll need time to process. I learned so much from this book and have already suggested it to several readers.
April 2, 2022
Wow. This book!!
You all know how much I love true crime. I also at one time wanted to be a lawyer. But I knew then and I know now I could never be the defense for criminals.
While I fully understand that everyone has rights, it is so hard to imagine helping someone go free when you know for a fact they are guilty.
Jim Potts was somehow able to put aside his morals and look at the facts of what his job was. It took a major toll on him and even caused problems with his wife, but he did what he was expected to do.
While this book may be very lawyer speak heavy for some, I found it to be quite interesting to hear the thoughts and process of an appeal.
💀 It is out now💀
You all know how much I love true crime. I also at one time wanted to be a lawyer. But I knew then and I know now I could never be the defense for criminals.
While I fully understand that everyone has rights, it is so hard to imagine helping someone go free when you know for a fact they are guilty.
Jim Potts was somehow able to put aside his morals and look at the facts of what his job was. It took a major toll on him and even caused problems with his wife, but he did what he was expected to do.
While this book may be very lawyer speak heavy for some, I found it to be quite interesting to hear the thoughts and process of an appeal.
💀 It is out now💀
October 4, 2021
I don't typically rate DNF but I want to make sure my review is easily visible/searchable.
The content of this book is extremely harmful to Trans individuals. In no universe does being trans or a person assigned male at birth deciding to wear "womens" clothing make that person a serial killer or in any way influence them to become a serial killer.
This book continually emphasizes the killers gender confusion as a reason they killed. That line of thinking is disgusting and dangerous. The author should be ashamed of themselves for actively harming an already marginalized community.
I did receive an advanced copy of this book for review from Edelweiss
The content of this book is extremely harmful to Trans individuals. In no universe does being trans or a person assigned male at birth deciding to wear "womens" clothing make that person a serial killer or in any way influence them to become a serial killer.
This book continually emphasizes the killers gender confusion as a reason they killed. That line of thinking is disgusting and dangerous. The author should be ashamed of themselves for actively harming an already marginalized community.
I did receive an advanced copy of this book for review from Edelweiss
September 2, 2021
This book was a hodgepodge of what should have been a number of shorter pieces. The latter third of the book felt disjointed and didn't need to be included. This book focuses on one case the author helped get a serial killer a new trial during his time in law school. The book addresses the ethical dilemmas he faced and relationship sacrifices that came from him choosing to help a serial killer. This was the aspect of the book that I found most interesting, but then there were a number of random chapters comparing the serial killer he was involved with to other more famous killers, for seemingly no apparent reason. The author didn't even have any direct relationship with the killer, as he was just a clerk for the appeals attorney. A lot of the book was redundant (especially regarding the explanation of the appeals), and felt like the author was just trying to get to a certain length requirement. Lastly, and most pettily, I hate the cover for this book, so much.
September 25, 2025
Rating: 3 ⭐️
Defending A Serial Killer started out really strong, and then slowly got harder and harder to get through. The first half of the book does a good job setting the scene and describing the moral dilemma that the author faces when dealing with this case. I even found the description of the appeals case interesting, and the affirming/dissenting opinions.
The first thing that I struggled with in this book was how repetitive it was. I felt like I was beaten over the head with some of the points made over and over. I understand not everyone understands how certain aspects of law works, but it was just too much.
Secondly, there’s a few chapters near the end of the book that are literally so out of place. I think this book would have been more successful without them.
I will say, though, that the author is very knowledgeable, and did a good job creating an easy to follow narrative in the beginning of the book.
Defending A Serial Killer started out really strong, and then slowly got harder and harder to get through. The first half of the book does a good job setting the scene and describing the moral dilemma that the author faces when dealing with this case. I even found the description of the appeals case interesting, and the affirming/dissenting opinions.
The first thing that I struggled with in this book was how repetitive it was. I felt like I was beaten over the head with some of the points made over and over. I understand not everyone understands how certain aspects of law works, but it was just too much.
Secondly, there’s a few chapters near the end of the book that are literally so out of place. I think this book would have been more successful without them.
I will say, though, that the author is very knowledgeable, and did a good job creating an easy to follow narrative in the beginning of the book.
July 3, 2022
I am giving it 3.5. It isn't a bad book but it is long and drawn out because of all of the legal stuff that was put in it, it felt like it was put in to make the book longer. Then I was also turned off because it stated that one of the police officers was dead then if felt like he could spill the secrets....well now no one can defend those statements can they? So the serial killer and the main police officer that he had an issue with are dead and no one can go back and dispute anything this lawyer states. I am NOT saying that he isn't telling the truth, but I struggle with that part of it. It was a great book on the background and with the information that was given about the actual serial killer part and what he did and that information
November 13, 2022
A great work of creative nonfiction by a black lawyer. If you enjoy stories that involve legal ethics and serial killers, don't miss this one. Defending a Serial Killer should be in all high school libraries and in college curriculum for those studying law.
November 11, 2022
A riveting true account! If you like serial killer fiction and nonfiction, this isn't to be missed.
October 1, 2023
This book is a deeply uncomfortable detailed exploration of a serial killer and his path through investigation and trial.
July 20, 2021
I've always wondered what it would be like to work on a case where you know your client is guilty. Jim Potts was a law student working as a law clerk when he was tapped to assist on an appeal for a serial killer. I can't imagine taking on that responsibility between honoring your duty to your job and the constitution while not wanting to help release a monster to kill again. To complicate matters further, his pregnant wife was threatening to leave him if he did his job and the murderer went free. I automatically felt a John Grisham vibe except this is true.
If you want to know what it's like behind the scenes for those working on a case because it's their job under the constitution, while we set back and go, how could you defend that monster?! "Defending a Serial Killer: The Right to Counsel" is it.
Also, if you're a law student or interested in ethics, juries, or criminal law in general, you can't find a better resource.
If you want to know what it's like behind the scenes for those working on a case because it's their job under the constitution, while we set back and go, how could you defend that monster?! "Defending a Serial Killer: The Right to Counsel" is it.
Also, if you're a law student or interested in ethics, juries, or criminal law in general, you can't find a better resource.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews