Publication Date: October 21,
2014
Format: Paperback
Genre: Biography, Justice, law
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Publisher: One World
Length: 342 pages
Buy: Kindle | Paperback
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Synopsis
Bryan Stevenson was a young lawyer when he founded the Equal Justice
Initiative, a legal practice dedicated to defending those most desperate
and in need: the poor, the wrongly condemned, and women and children
trapped in the farthest reaches of our criminal justice system. One of his
first cases was that of Walter McMillian, a young man who was sentenced to
die for a notorious murder he insisted he didn’t commit. The case drew
Bryan into a tangle of conspiracy, political machination, and legal
brinksmanship—and transformed his understanding of mercy and justice
forever.
Just Mercy is at once an unforgettable account of an idealistic, gifted young
lawyer’s coming of age, a moving window into the lives of those he has
defended, and an inspiring argument for compassion in the pursuit of true
justice.
Review:
I know there is a movie about this book and that it is supposed to be
excellent but I haven't seen it. I wanted to read the book before I
saw the movie. If the movie is anything like the book all I can say
is Wow! Stephenson has dedicated his life to justice reform. He
moved to Alabama and started the Equal Justice Initiative and has not
only gotten several people's convictions overturned who were on death row
but also changed many laws that pertain to juvenile offenders.
Through all the triumphs and successes Stephenson has seen he has also
seen his share of heartbreak. Watching people die, particularly when
you know they are innocent is difficult. When its a child, its life
changing. How Stephenson continues this work day after day, year
after year is a testament to his faith and his dedication to his cause.
This book is not for the faint of heart. It will make you angry,
make you cry, make you tired and make you question your stance on what
justice in this country really means. I was always on the fence
about the death penalty, especially knowing that many innocents were
sentenced and brought to death because of corruption within the system and
sometimes just for being black and poor, now I can safely say I would like
to see it abolished.
This story isn't just about Stephenson helping one person who was wrongly
convicted it is about his work to help so many. To change unjust
laws, like the 3 strike rule, and sentencing juveniles to adult facilities
or even to death. He shows case after case of how justice was not
served. How prosecutors held back evidence in order to fit a
narrative of their choosing. How judges refused to admit evidence
that pertained to long term abuse, or refused to look at new evidence in
cases that prove someone's innocence. Is it really justice if we
have innocent people who can't get new trials, or released because of
technicalities? If there is evidence of innocence why is there even a
question of whether it can be submitted or used to gain a release or
retrial? How economic status and race play the biggest role in whether
justice is really served.
Everyone should read this book. Everyone should take heed.
When the system is corrupt you never know if someone you know or
love will get caught in its web.
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