Dying for Daddy: A True Story of Family Killer Jack Barron

This book was very good, it was a very easy read (I read it in a day and a half), and the author did a good job of making me feel like I knew the characters. The story is about a man, Jack Barron, who smothered his wife, then the following year smothered his 4-year-old son, and then the following year smothered his 4-year-old daughter. After all of that, he even smothered his own mother. It is incredible that nothing was done before all these murders, but the author does a good job of explaining the problems facing law enforcement. The only true disappointment is that the book was written after the preliminary exam and before the trial. I did some research and learned that Jack Barron was tried by a judge, not a jury, and was convicted of murdering his mother, wife, and son. He was acquitted of murdering his daughter. He was sentenced to life in prison w/o parole. The full text of Irene's letter is included in the court opinion. She complained that Jack never talked to her about anything anymore. The letter was ruled inadmissible after the preliminary hearing, but during the trial Jack testified that he and Irene had only gotten into 2 minor disagreements during their marriage because they always talked things out. He also testified that they never discussed divorce. The judge let the letter into evidence for impeachment. Jack challenged that ruling on appeal but he lost. The most recent information I can find is that the California Court of Appeals affirmed his convictions and a rehearing was denied in May 2002. In sum, I recommend this book to true-crime readers.

All in all a pretty good, engaging book. I felt so sorry for Irene and Roberta and the children and I really can't see how the police could fail to investigate when these healthy people died in that house, one after another. I think the author's suggestion that the deaths had something to do with Jack's father wears a little thin; I think it is more likely Munchausen's by proxy. I also believe it a bit unfair that the book would be published before Jack was brought to trial. I mean, he might be found innocent. All the same, good work.

To be added to my previous review.Jack Barron was convicted of 1st Degree murders of Irene Barron, Jeremy Barron, and Roberta Butler, in April 2000, and was sentenced to 3 consecutive life terms without the possibility of parole. He was acquitted, unthinkably, as being responsible for his daughter's death, Ashley. He is now in the Corcoran Penal Institution located in California.

As a private investigator, formerly operating in Sacramento, I'd recommend reading this book with an eye for its insight into various social and professional values, and human dynamics. I was crying for this family before halfway through the book. Having dealt with many of the officials and agencies involved in the case, I can say that Mr. Smith showed more than good research in his treatment. He poses a poignant question of social importance, to which, unfortunately, I know the answer. He does so tactfully, accurately and constructively. Wherever you live, his question is relevant. If you live in Sacramento County, this book should begin to open your eyes to an all-too-common failure of the one agency you may someday need most desperately to trust. (They still think it's "unprofessional" to cry for the victims they leave in their wake. - When you call them, I hope you can change that view.)

I find the content of this book to be reasonably accurate with minor discrepancies. Although I never met the author, I did provide him with an audio tape describing some errors. It may be of interest to readers that the trial is still pending and presently scheduled for a date sometime late this month, August, or early September 1998. There has been several post-ponements since September 1995. Also of interest to readers may be the fact that neither my wife or myself have ever been contacted by the Sacramento County Sheriff's Department regarding these deaths, although we are the principal surviving victims. We are convinced, along with all our relatives and many friends that this department was sorely amiss in their investigations from the very beginning. Hopefully now, Jack Barron will in the near future be brought to trial and convicted so that we may finally put to rest this terrible action perpertrated by him.