Proof Evident
a John Dicke novel
Reviews
"Proof Evident"
a John Dicke NovelClick here for more reviews...
Reviewer: Joyce Handzo- Reviewed 6/15/06 www.inthelibraryreviews.net
Proof Evident was obviously written by an author who is familiar with the legal system. The controversial and occasionally crafty plea of insanity has been shown to be effective in certain high profile cases, leading the public to wonder at its validity. In an amazing exploration of this subject, these pages highlight a case that will be sure to bring some sanity and clarity to this line of defense.
Avery Jackson, a former judge and current university professor, walks into a crowded room, kills Sheriff Hardacre at point blank range and later admits that he has no recollection of the event. The prosecutor appears to have an airtight case, but the defense lawyers decide to do some sleuthing. What they uncover is mind boggling -- literally. The psychological aspect of this murder is complicated and compelling. As the pieces fall into place, the scales of justice become weighed down with startling new facts and implications. As the case goes to the jury, readers will hasten to the final page for the much-anticipated verdict.
The legal aspect of this book was extremely well done, providing fascinating bits of information in a comfortable writing style. From the actual murder, to the arrest and the subsequent court proceedings, readers get a front row seat, complete with all the necessary explanations. As the defense attorneys pursue their own line of investigation, the ramifications of their discoveries pose new questions. The final picture of the psychological abuse suffered by the defendant provides a horrifying, yet realistic scenario.
Although the plot packs a thrilling sense of intrigue, the characterizations fell short at times. The intellectual allure of this book overshadowed what could have been a stronger emotional appeal. Irrelevant sex scenes and stilted dialogue took some of the edge off the action. Yet, the author was able to maintain a high level of interest in this unique handling of a popular subject.
Proof Evident is an amazing perspective on justice!
Reviewer: Lillian Brummet - Reviewed – May 2006
www.sunshinecable.com/~drumit
Proof Evident is a newly released crime fiction novel by lawyer and controversial psychologist, John Dicke. The story line is based around a criminal case for Judge Avery Jackson who coldly murdered Sheriff Hardacre during his speech to 150 city officials. The problem is, Mr. Jackson has no memory of the event at all.Jack Maine leaves the public service and starts up a private practice with the assistance of his talented wife while taking on this difficult and seemingly doomed case. His dedicated and patient staff includes a master investigator and a phenomenal young novice lawyer both of whom are fully aware they may not see a paycheck for some time.
Jack¹s nemesis is the quick-witted and well-financed defense team led by an ambitious attorney that is set on becoming "seen". Death follows this case everywhere. Just when the lawyers feel they are getting somewhere - people start dropping like flies. Soon a CIA scandal is discovered that threatens national security, which powerful people are desperate to cover-up; meanwhile a drug ring threatens to take control of every aspect of the community.John Dicke addresses the issue of pleading Not Guilty By Reason of Insanity, which is a much larger issue than I had previously been aware of. Even mentioning the plea will turn off a jury, who are hardened by the preconception that the plea is repeatedly used to falsely gain sympathy, and therefore, receive a lighter sentence for a crime they are guilty of committing.
John also shows the intense stress of an exhausting case, which can be exhilarating to intrigued lawyers bored with the mundane courthouse activities, and the temptations that could destroy those that have more desire than sense. Mr. Dicke uses elements of real life, historical events including the government scandal.
It is my opinion that Proof Evident is a book for deep-thinking individuals who favor courtroom drama - because there is a lot of it. I found myself wanting to skip through those sections, but had I done so the ending would have left me shocked and baffled. I loved the eventful conclusion and was surprised by a few characters as well. Overall, I think John Dicke has created an interesting novel that deserves to be given a chance by readers of this genre.
Shirley Johnson, Senior Reviewer
MidWest Book Review - Reviewed April 2006In this outstanding work by Dr. John Dicke we are treated to a murder mystery that takes us from the murder of the popular local sheriff by a Judge Jackson , to the trial with all the drama in-between. The entire way that the author presents the murder sets your mind on alert and when the Judge has no memory of committing it, well, you simply have to find out what is going on. Excellent way to make you want to read on.
We meet characters that are well defined and rich in personality and flare, and we are allowed to dip into their lives which wraps us deeper around the happenings and the mystery that involves this case.
As the attorneys begin to search and unravel some clues to what truly lays behind this murder the possible answers become frightening and those whom the finger begins to point at are certainly not those you would want to falsely accuse. And at best even having proof positive could well put all those pointing the finger in the line of danger.
What a read! I will tell you there is not one boring section in this entire book. It is a fast paced, well written read that draws you from one clue to another with the added excitement of trial battle. This is one outstanding read that I proudly recommend.
A top-notch work, well done Dr. Dicke.
Reviewed by Barbara Buhrer for MyShelf.com, 2006Before 150 civic leaders, former black judge and Professor Avery Jackson shot newly elected sheriff Gene Hardacre in Dayton, Ohio as he was giving a televised speech. There is no doubt that Jackson is the man who pulled the trigger; it is all documented in the TV news cameras.
The question is "Why?"
Jackson's lawyer, Jack Maine, can find no defense to keep Jackson from the death penalty other than Jackson's mental state. Maine probes into Jackson's past, and then into his subconscious. This uncovers a history of mind-control experiments and projects by the CIA which affected Jackson. Maine finds political corruption with drug smugglers that triggered Jackson's subconscious. It is now Maine's task to convince the jury of Jackson's condition, and therefore his innocence.
This is a compelling novel that delves into the difficulty of pursuing the insanity plea. It is a condemnation of the abuse of power by the CIA and the military who created multiple personalities in unsuspecting individuals for their own nefarious purposes. It is a chilling realization that this should have and could have happened. The research of Maine and the courtroom drama is excellent.
A real psychological thriller.
Reviewed by Ginger K. W. Stratton, May 2006 www.reviewingtheevidence.com
Avery Jackson is a judge who, after making an unpopular ruling on a case, lost the last election and is now a law professor at a local university. Following class one morning he walks into a Rotary luncheon meeting and, before 150 civic leaders and the media, shoots and kills the newly-elected sheriff. He is surprised when he finds himself in jail for he remembers nothing of the killing.
The public defender dies under mysterious circumstances shortly after he begins to prepare Jackson's defense and a former public defender, now in private practice, takes over the case. Following the Hinckley case, insanity defenses are difficult to win, meaning that Jackson's new lawyer, Jack Maine, is forced to have psychologists dig even deeper into Jackson's mind for clues and uncover a programmed killer. Their findings put the lives of everyone connected with the investigation at risk.
While preparing for the Jackson trial, Jack is given yet another seemingly unwinnable case when the court reporter girlfriend of the former public defender is charged with his murder from an overdose of pure heroin. Though she was the one who dialed 911, when the police arrive they find she has pure heroin, a single-edged razor, and straw in her purse.
The investigations uncover high-stake drug trafficking and lead to a web of corruption in state and local politics, international racketeering, rogue police, the mafia, and mind control experiments conducted by the CIA during the Vietnam War. You have to wonder if all this could have happened. If essentially true-to-life in its details, it is horrible. If just fiction, well, it sure makes a suspenseful story.
Using information released under the Freedom Of Information Act regarding the CIA mind control experiments of the 1950s, 60s, and 70s, and his experience as a trial lawyer and forensic psychologist, John Dicke has created one of the most astonishing, and chilling courtroom dramas in print. Some scenes literally took my breath away. I felt I was sitting on pins and needles all the time while I was reading it.Click here for more reviews...
John A. Dicke, Psy.D, J.D.
proofevident@comcast.net
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