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Shattered Justice: A Savage Murder and the Death of Three Families' Innocence
A family's horror— one child murdered . . .another destroyed.
The Crowes’ neighbors in the peaceful middle classcommunity in San Diego’s North County were shockedby the savagery of the crime—a young girl murdered,stabbed repeatedly, in her own bed in the dead of night.The lack of any evidence of forced entry led the Escondidopolice to their inevitable someone in the familywas responsible for 12-year-old Stephanie Crowe’s slaying.The investigation quickly zeroed in on the victim’s olderbrother, Michael, and two teenage friends—three lonerswho enjoyed inhabiting dark fantasy worlds of quests andviolence. Through efficient, by-the-book police work, theboys were broken down and ultimately confessed. The onlyproblem was the detectives had gotten everything wrong . . .
Shattered Justice is the riveting and disturbing trueaccount of a horrific tragedy and the terrible crimethat followed—a nightmare of four innocent livesshattered, one by a killer’s blade, three byobsession and twisted law.
The Crowes’ neighbors in the peaceful middle classcommunity in San Diego’s North County were shockedby the savagery of the crime—a young girl murdered,stabbed repeatedly, in her own bed in the dead of night.The lack of any evidence of forced entry led the Escondidopolice to their inevitable someone in the familywas responsible for 12-year-old Stephanie Crowe’s slaying.The investigation quickly zeroed in on the victim’s olderbrother, Michael, and two teenage friends—three lonerswho enjoyed inhabiting dark fantasy worlds of quests andviolence. Through efficient, by-the-book police work, theboys were broken down and ultimately confessed. The onlyproblem was the detectives had gotten everything wrong . . .
Shattered Justice is the riveting and disturbing trueaccount of a horrific tragedy and the terrible crimethat followed—a nightmare of four innocent livesshattered, one by a killer’s blade, three byobsession and twisted law.
- GenresTrue CrimeNonfiction
320 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published August 1, 2006
About the author
John Philpin
14 books14 followersAuthor John Philpin, one of the first independent criminal profilers, is an internationally recognized expert on violent behavior and criminal investigation. Philpin is a frequent consultant to law enforcement and the media.
Philpin has been a guest commentator on Court TV, 20/20 Downtown, Unsolved Mysteries, America's Most Wanted, Inside Edition, Chronicle, The Geoff Metcalf Show, The Jim Bohannon Show, Northwest Afternoon and CBC's As It Happens.
Philpin is a regular contributor of exclusive true crime commentaries and short stories for KariSable.com True Crime and Justice Web site.
A retired psychologist, he has authored and co-written seven books and numerous articles, and the featured character in an eighth, drawing on his experience.
A recipient of numerous awards for contributions in murder investigations, his forensic work was featured in Philip E. Ginsburg's Shadow of Death the investigation of a series of murders along interstate highway corridors of Vermont and New Hampshire in the 1980s.
Philpin has been a guest commentator on Court TV, 20/20 Downtown, Unsolved Mysteries, America's Most Wanted, Inside Edition, Chronicle, The Geoff Metcalf Show, The Jim Bohannon Show, Northwest Afternoon and CBC's As It Happens.
Philpin is a regular contributor of exclusive true crime commentaries and short stories for KariSable.com True Crime and Justice Web site.
A retired psychologist, he has authored and co-written seven books and numerous articles, and the featured character in an eighth, drawing on his experience.
A recipient of numerous awards for contributions in murder investigations, his forensic work was featured in Philip E. Ginsburg's Shadow of Death the investigation of a series of murders along interstate highway corridors of Vermont and New Hampshire in the 1980s.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
December 5, 2015
This is like the Californian version of the West Memphis Three case, down to the cops who thought black clothes and interests outside the mainstream were evidence of murder. Only the lucky discovery of some physical evidence kept three innocent young men from wasting their lives in jail. Very worth reading if your true crime interests include near miscarriages of justice.
November 12, 2014
Disturbing that this happens
well written rough end, too abrupt. excellent analysis of mistreatment of the boys. a little thin everywhere else. many lose ends, at time it seemed the author wanted to look at issues of prejudice that are then dropped and add little to nothing to the story. character development lacked some depth. the end felt empty and addressed nothing of what happened to the three young men the true victims. overall a good read but a bit lacking focus.
well written rough end, too abrupt. excellent analysis of mistreatment of the boys. a little thin everywhere else. many lose ends, at time it seemed the author wanted to look at issues of prejudice that are then dropped and add little to nothing to the story. character development lacked some depth. the end felt empty and addressed nothing of what happened to the three young men the true victims. overall a good read but a bit lacking focus.
March 10, 2015
True crime
This report was typical in the act of some police detectives that decide who the perpetrator is and mask the evidence to fit. I cannot believe the parents did not get involved provide legal council for their kids as soon as they were interviewed.
This report was typical in the act of some police detectives that decide who the perpetrator is and mask the evidence to fit. I cannot believe the parents did not get involved provide legal council for their kids as soon as they were interviewed.
May 19, 2010
Very interesting account of a murder investigation gone awry & the detective who used his fresh eyes to find the real killer of a young girl.
December 30, 2013
A clear look at police work
a very well written work showing how an investigation c
go wrong with the wrong people running the case. thank God for good police officers.
a very well written work showing how an investigation c
go wrong with the wrong people running the case. thank God for good police officers.
April 15, 2024
This book is almost all word for word transcripts of cops interrogating three young boys for the murder of one of the boy's sister. They were almost convicted because the cops decided early on that the brother of the girl had to be the one. It is not a spoiler, it says on the back cover, that the boys were not the one's that murdered the girl. However, it is a good example of how innocent children can be manipulated into not knowing what to believe is true. I would have liked to have found out more about the background of the boys and their parents.
October 24, 2025
Exceptional read
This is a must read for true crime fans. "When will enough, be enough" quote from truly memorable homicide detective.
This is a must read for true crime fans. "When will enough, be enough" quote from truly memorable homicide detective.
November 9, 2015
Shattered Justice
I have seen the movie about this and it's a shame how the cops treated these kids just to make themselves look good. Glad it was resolved but imo the real murderer did not get enough time in prison. Book is very repetitive.
I have seen the movie about this and it's a shame how the cops treated these kids just to make themselves look good. Glad it was resolved but imo the real murderer did not get enough time in prison. Book is very repetitive.
July 5, 2012
Good true crime investigation this time. How many other botched investigations are out there. Hire a lawyer for your kids.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews