Inadmissible Evidence

Joe Estrada is a NYC assistant DA assigned to handle the retrial of a prominent Hispanic entrepreneur and do-gooder accused of raping and killing his assistant, a hot blonde. He gets the assignment because of his surname, even though he's of Spanish descent, not Latin American. The women are all gorgeous; the Texans are all bigots, crooks, or bigoted crooks; the Latino activists are all hotheaded fools; and the cops are all cynical and taciturn. Sorry, but it just isn't thrilling. BUT -- it's a great soup-to-nuts account of a murder trial. Of course, I don't know how accurate the picture really is, but it rang true. I was fascinated. In fact, the overall weakness of the story might work to its advantage, by keeping you focused on the trial process.

Joe Estrada has been given the case of a lifetime. As a prosecutor for New York City, he must see to it that Roberto Morales, community hero, must not escape justice for murder. Battling courtroom angst, personal issues, and racial tensions, Joe struggles to get the ultimate verdict, even as his case hangs on inadmissible evidence. Philip Friedman pulls no stops in this engaging work of art. There is strong dialogue with first-rate legal bantering; the racial fracture mirrors the OJ case. Enthusiasts of legal action will find Inadmissible Evidence a delectable treat.

Exciting, thrilling, will keep you on the edge of your seat. Read this book in a day and a half. Couldn't put it down.