Murder On Trial: 1620-2002

By Lawrence B. Goodheart

A historical romp through the fascinating subject of murder jurisprudence in the United States from the colonial period to the present, showing how changing social mores have influenced the application of murder law.

This fascinating collection examines murder jurisprudence-the social rules that govern the arrest, trial, and punishment of people accused of murder-in the United States from the colonial period to the present. The contributors show how changing social mores have influenced the application of murder law by highlighting the ways cultural biases like racism, changing ideas about childhood and insanity, and the ameliorative effects of middle class status and paternal imagery both helped and handicapped persons accused of murder. Such famous cases as the Lizzie Borden axe murder and African American activist Abu-Jamal's murder trial are included.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0791463788
• ISBN13: 9780791463789
• Release Date: March 2005
• Publisher: State University of New York Press
• Length: 287 Pages
• Weight: 0.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 6.1" x 8.9"
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

Very interesting read

I bought this book as my great grand father's brother in law is one of the defendants in the book. I was unable to find out much about the trial and this gave me a lot of interesting information. It was well documented and well written.