From the trials of Oscar Pistorius to O.J. Simpson and Michael Jackson, this innovative book provides a critical review of 11 high profile criminal cases. These case studies examine how 'guilt' and 'innocence' are constructed in the courts and in wider society, using the themes of evidence and narratives; credibility; rhetoric and oratory in the court room; social status; vulnerability and false confessions; diminished responsibility and the media and social judgments.
Written for criminology, sociology, law, and criminal justice students, the book includes:
• exercises to extend thinking on each case;
• recommended readings for studying the cases and concepts discussed in each chapter;
• an extensive specialist reference list including web links to videos and transcripts pertaining to many of the cases discussed in the book.
The book delivers an accessible examination of the criminological, sociological, psychological and legal processes underpinning the outcome of criminal cases, and their representation in the media and wider society.
Introduction
1. The Death of Caylee Marie Anthony
2. Storytelling in the Trial of James Hanratty
3. Consistency and Inconsistency in Stories: The Case of Dr Crippen
4. The Role of Credibility and Believability in the Trial of Rosemary West
5. Techniques of Neutralisation and the Conviction of the Oklahoma Bomber, Timothy McVeigh
6. Language Style and Persuasion in the Criminal Trial of O.J. Simpson
7. Social Geometry and the Acquittal of Michael Jackson
8. The Role of Vulnerability in the Alleged False Confession and Subsequent Conviction of Brendan Dassey
9. The Defence of Diminished Responsibility and the Trial of Peter Sutcliffe
10. The 'Reasonable Person' (and Common Sense) in the Trial of Oscar Pistorius the Shooting of Reeva Steenkamp
11. Amanda Knox's Trial in the Media
Afterword
