Category Archives: Criminal Trials

Books about America

Posted on by January 19, 2016

Steven Allen 2 on stageOK, I didn’t want to read Dinesh D’Souza’s new book “Stealing America.” It sounded too hardboiled a perspective even for me! I admit I did see his documentary about “America, Imagine a World Be Without Her?” And I enjoyed it—especially from the point of view of the Founding Fathers. And then I read the book, too. But wouldn’t “Stealing America” just be too much?

Then my wife gave it to me as a gift. Yeah, she saw it on sale. So I figured I had to read it. And I found that it explains the prison experience correctly, and what you can learn there! I should know. I’m now writing “A Patriot in Prison” about my own personal experience. Unjustly accused and sent to prison camp. read more

John Adams and the Law

Posted on by January 3, 2016

JohnAdamsAs you may recall, John Adams accepted the representation of the British soldiers who were charged in the Boston Massacre. No other colonist lawyer was willing to accept their representation for fear of losing standing with friends and countrymen.

Adams felt it was his duty as a lawyer, and representative of the judicial system to step in where they needed someone to speak for them; to see that justice was done and not miscarried because of the emotions of the Bostonians at the time.

John did not only an admirable job, he succeeded in have most of the soldiers acquitted under the law. During his argument in December, 1770, he said: read more

O’Reilly’s “Killing Jesus”

Posted on by November 29, 2015

Illgegal Trial of Christ coverIn 2014 one of my friends recommended that I should read “Killing Jesus” by Bill O’Reilly and Martin Dugard. This particular friend said: “I think they must have used your book ‘The Illegal Trial of Christ” as a reference, because much of what they write sound like what you explained in your book!”

I had already read O’Reilly and Dugard’s books “Killing Lincoln” and “Killing Kennedy” and even “Killing Patton”. I particularly enjoyed “Killing Lincoln” and so had intended to read “Killing Jesus.” read more

Blessings and Trials

Posted on by November 24, 2015

Illgegal Trial of Christ coverWhen I was first asked, as a young lawyer, to give a presentation to a church group about the Trial of Christ from a lawyer’s standpoint, I was somewhat flabbergasted. My response was that they didn’t teach a course about that in law school.

But I told the group that I would try to educate myself enough to make a passable presentation! They gave me 3 months to prepare.

I began to read books and articles to increase my understanding of the history of the times, the geography of the areas involved, and the laws and rules connected with that trial. I learned a lot. My library on the subject has increased substantially. It all became much more interesting to me, and I hope, to others as I made my talks or lectures. With maps and pictures, nevertheless. read more

Freedom, Founding Fathers, and The Trial of Christ

Posted on by October 26, 2015

HeaderIt’s hard to explain, especially in just a few words, but I’ll try. People always ask me why I wrote my books in such seemingly different areas or topics.

My first book, “Founding Fathers—Uncommon Heroes” is a book with chapters about six of our Founding Fathers. Men who had the courage to establish the United States of America. The six men are Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry, and James Madison.

My second book, “The Illegal Trial of Christ,” came at the request of my publisher, who knew I gave popular presentations about this topic. This book includes biographical information about the many players involved in the four trials that took place at the end of Christ’s life. In this book I also explain some of the rules, procedures, and laws in effect at that time. Both Roman law and Hebrew law. By understanding these people and their circumstances, readers will come to recognize and grasp why some things are worded the way they are in the four Gospels. read more

Hebrew Law and U. S. Law

Posted on by September 23, 2015

Illgegal Trial of Christ coverI’ve been re-reading a 2 volume work by Walter Chandler entitled “The Trial of Christ.” This book explains the Hebrew rules of court in great detail. It likewise explains the Roman laws, which were necessary because Judea was a nation conquered by Rome prior to the trial of Christ.

The amazing thing is it’s a wonder that anyone was ever found guilty of a crime punishable by death because the rules were so stringent about witnesses and judges (members of the Sanhedrin). But then as you read the accounts in the four Gospels of what transpired to bring Christ to the cross, you see vividly how many of the laws and rules of procedure were intentionally violated. read more

Witness Against Yourself

Posted on by September 21, 2015

judicial scalesIn Federal criminal cases only about 3% actually go to trial. The remainder are pleaded down by the prosecution in agreement for a guilty plea by the accused.

It is interesting to me that in ancient Hebrew law, the accused could not be convicted based on his own testimony. I was reminded of that as I read this comment in the book “The Trial of Jesus” by Walter Chandler:

“Some weak-minded people, unable to support the torture of a harassing examination, and eager to regain their liberty, make a full confession, accusing themselves in order not to be indicted. . . .from want of responsibility . . . accept or confirm everything of which they know nothing.” (Vol. 1, page 143). read more