Scoundrels to the Hoosegow: Perry Mason Moments and Entertaining Cases from the Files of a Prosecuting Attorney

by Morley Swingle

I closed my direct examination of narcotics officer Bill Bohnert by asking, "Detective Bohnert, do you see in the courtroom today the man we just saw on the tape, selling the crack cocaine to Darren Bullard?"             Bohnert pointed to Robert Funt.             "He's right there. . . ."             I heard laughter in the courtroom. I glanced at the defendant, who had dutifully raised his hand.             The prisoners seated behind him were laughing. They recognized a Perry Mason moment when they saw one.               Bohnert continued, "He's the one with his hand raised in the air."             It has been said that the public prosecutor has more power over life, liberty, and reputation than any other person—a daunting proposition, but perhaps less intimidating when that official’s perspective is tempered by humor and compassion.             In Scoundrels to the Hoosegow , a veteran prosecutor who is also a consummate storyteller shares more than thirty entertaining legal stories drawn from real life, re-creating, with verve and wit, villains, heroes, and ordinary citizens. In cases both tragic and hilarious, Morley Swingle offers a behind-the-scenes look at the justice system, taking readers from the scene of the crime to the courtroom as he explores the worlds of judges, attorneys, police officers, and criminals.             Informed by a deep appreciation of Mark Twain, Swingle aims to do for his profession what Clemens did for riverboat piloting. He leads readers on an enjoyable romp through crime and punishment, while offering a clear exposition of legal points—from the subtleties of cross-examination to the role of plea bargaining.             In cases ranging from indecent exposure to conspiracy to commit murder, Swingle considers the fine line between pornography and obscenity and discusses sensitive issues surrounding first-degree murder and the death penalty. Whether describing a drunken but well-meaning probationer who frees the dogs on “death row” or the woman who tries to hire a reluctant hit man to dispose of her husband, he combines true crime and legal analysis with a healthy dose of humor—and shares the occasional “Perry Mason moment” in which a trial dramatically shifts direction.             Not since the author of Anatomy of a Murder, Robert Traver,  wrote Small Town D.A. fifty years ago has an American prosecutor penned such a candid, revealing, and funny account of the job—an altogether satisfying book that sentences the reader to many hours of enjoyment.

Genres: True Crime

272 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2007

About the author

Morley Swingle is a former prosecutor now writing mystery/thrillers and law books. As both a state and federal prosecutor, he personally prosecuted 111 homicide cases and tried 178 jury trials. His cases have been featured on Dateline, Forensic Files and Oprah. His historical mystery thrillers include The Gold of Cape Girardeau (praised as absorbing courtroom drama by Elmore Leonard) and Bootheel Man (finalist for the 2008 William Rockhill Nelson Award for fiction). His true crime memoir Scoundrels to the Hoosegow was called “engrossing” and “highly recommended” by Vincent Bugliosi. His short story “Hard Blows” in the Mystery Writers of America anthology The Prosecution Rests was singled out by Publisher’s Weekly as “dramatizing the challenges prosecutors encounter.” His collection of 16 short stories won the 2024 Firebird Award for Crime Fiction. His law books teach search and seizure law and evidence with a dose of humor. Although relatively well-liked for a prosecutor, he occasionally found it necessary to wear a bullet-proof vest.

Reviews

[Rosie Vanalyea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very entertaining legal viniettes

Morley does a great job giving a survey of his legal experiences. I really like how he has the ability to expose even his errors on the job. It is a thoroughly believable fun to read book

[John Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

Couldn't put it down, just wanted to read one more case so I stayed up too late. Thanks Morley Swingle.

[Melinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Each story was terrific!!!

This book gives a glimpse into a day as a prosecuting attorney. I laughed out loud, and I also felt empathy and sorrow for some of the victims' families. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a Scoudrels II. This is for sure the best book I've read this year.

[Kyle · Rating 3 out of 5]

A longtime Missouri District Attorney tells war stories. Some are entertaining, some are thought-provoking, and most of them are self-serving. A recommended quick read for those who like legal-themed shows and books

[Charlie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I of course loved the book because I was involved in some of the cases in the book.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book for lawyers; probably not as interesting to non-lawyers. I enjoyed reading it, although hated some of the defendants, which is probably normal.