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May God Have Mercy : A True Story of Crime and Punishment
May God Have Mercy A True Story of Crime and Punishment
Author: John C. Tucker
In some states by law, in others by tradition, judges imposing a sentence of death complete the grim ritual with the words "May God have mercy on your soul." — In 1982, in Grundy, Virginia, a young miner named Roger Coleman was sentenced to death for the murder of his sister-in-law. Ten years later, the sentence was carried out, despite the extra...  more »
ISBN-13: 9780385332941
ISBN-10: 0385332947
Publication Date: 8/10/1998
Pages: 368
Rating:
  • Currently 3.4/5 Stars.
 14

3.4 stars, based on 14 ratings
Publisher: Delta
Book Type: Paperback
Other Versions: Hardcover
Members Wishing: 0
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

reviewed May God Have Mercy : A True Story of Crime and Punishment on + 7 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 6
If you only examined the case from the author's viewpoint you would think his execution was a gross miscarriage of justice. DNA tests have confirmed the guilt of a Roger Coleman. He proclaimed he was innocent of murder and rape even as he was strapped into the electric chair and executed more than a decade ago. The results stunned and disappointed those who have fought a 25-year crusade to prove that Roger K. Coleman was innocent. They also dashed hopes among death penalty foes that the case would catalyze opposition to capital punishment across the country. The tests show there is a one in 19 million chance that semen found on the victim's body belonged to someone other than Roger Coleman. As fiction, it would have been a good read. Unfortunately, this is nonfiction and misses the mark.
Philly avatar reviewed May God Have Mercy : A True Story of Crime and Punishment on + 38 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Interesting case study. New info has come to light since the publication of this book.
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