Police State

How America's Cops Get Away with Murder

De: Gerry Spence

Narrado por: Alan Sklar

We all want to feel safe. But safe from what and from whom?

In his 60-plus years as a trial lawyer, Gerry Spence has never represented a person accused of a crime in which the police hadn't themselves violated the law. Whether by covering up their own corrupt dealings, by the falsification or manufacture of evidence, or by the outright murder of innocent civilians, those individuals charged with upholding the law break it every day - in ways more scandalous than the courts have dared admit. The police and prosecutors won't charge or convict themselves, and so the crimes of the criminal justice system are swept under the rug. Nothing changes.

Too many police officers are killers on the loose, and every uninformed American is a potential next victim. Police culture is mired in the dead weight of precedent and ruled by trigger-happy tyrants. Power will march our nation over the police state precipice unless "we the people" take action. The FBI's massacre of the Weaver family at Ruby Ridge, the killing of mortally wounded Fouad Kaady by a group of police officers, the torture of teenaged Dennis Williams by cops seeking a murder confession - again and again, the question arises: When the very men and women we pay to protect us instead persecute us every day, how can we be safe? In Police State, Spence slaps a stinging indictment upon the American justice system and puts forth a plan to restore liberty and justice for all.

©2015 G.L. Spence and Lanelle P. Spence Living Trust (P)2015 Macmillan Audio

Justice is the impetuous child of Truth.

A good collection of case examples from which to draw wisdom from and beat the war drums of reform for a justice system that has wondered well off its intended path. A good listen as an audiobook. Well worth the time to absorb and think about.

Great stories with an even greater point.

There are few story tellers like Gerry Spence and even fewer people in this world that can persuade with passion and empathy for the listener at the same time. Spence lays out his argument with his own experiences and a sense that the reader will follow. The result is that you are left with no choice but to join him in recollection and actually become part of the real life stories he tells. By the end his memories feel like they are your own.

More like the "just us system"

Gerry Spence sounds like a true hero of our time, willing to stand up to the authoritarians within our government & fight back. Great stories, great narrating (most important to me). He allows you to understand who his clients are, because he has empathy for them, he got to know who they are as individuals. The most evil people in a courtroom, usually are not the defendants. I enjoyed this one.

One of the Great's War Stories

This should be required for law students everywhere. Told through Gerry Spence's lyrical voice, we get the inside story of remarkable cases. Beyond great stories, the book provides tips and lessons for success in the courtroom. I am so grateful Spence assembled this recitation of his epic war stories.

Must read!

Great book with details of well know cases never exposed before. Spence is brilliant and this book is as well. Narration was like Spence telling the story himself. Highly recommended this to everyone!

great book

great book by a great trial lawyer who always kept fighting. I've read very few books but was able to make it through this book due to the truth and sincere work of Gerry Spence.

Not a Police Bashing book but an abuse of power book

Despite the title, I was pleasantly surprised it was not a "Police Bashing" book. Although there were multiple stories where Police impropriety was demonstrated, I believe the author was writing as an attempt to open America's eyes.......to find ABUSE of POWER as an unacceptable way of life. Therefore: if you are a parent, a spouse, a supervisor, a pastor, someone associated to law enforcement, or anyone left off the list, that abuses power via the legal system or other manipulations, YOU are the target of this book. If you are a victim of any such abuse, I believe you will enjoy this book. The only reason I did not give it five stars is because......like it or not, personal bias is almost impossible to be completely left out.

Important information

A very good and informative read. Lots of examples and background on how militarizing Law Enforcement agencies has brought us to almost daily instances of abuse of power, excessive force, and 'us vs. the taxpayer's ' attitude that has now become regular policing here.

A Book EVERY SchoolKid and Adult Should Read!

There need to be more people in this country like Gerry Spence.

This man takes on our renegade army of overly-aggressive police with reckless abandon. We've given our protectors entirely too much power, and we've forgotten that, when it's all said and done, they are OUR EMPLOYEES. Yet, they beat us, tase us, and shoot us with little or no valid reasoning. They also falsify evidence, lie on the stand, and make fraudulent arrests for justifications that are wholly up to them, and may include personal vindictiveness or jealousy. Cops are people, just like you and I. They are imperfect. They make mistakes.

The difference between us and them is, they can shoot you, lie about it, and get away with it with impunity. They can file false charges against you, cost you thousands in legal fees, and get no reprimand or punishment when it's eventually found that you were innocent all along. They can plant evidence that can never be linked back to them, since they know the system well enough to subvert it. They are above the law, and they are well aware of it.

And they need to be stopped.

This book is an excellent step in doing that. Everyone needs to read it!

Justice for the weak - very inspiring true cases.

Would you consider the audio edition of Police State to be better than the print version?

Everybody likes to root for the underdog....that is everybody but the bullies in power. So many great stories how the power tyrants get their face rubbed in the dirt. This book reveals just a small sample of the tyranny and miscarriages of justice that occur and have occurred in our republic. The jury system is so valuable to justice....as long as we don't have sheep(le) on the jury. I consider myself ultra conservative & right of right when it comes to politics and I disagree with many of Spence's political views. However I cherish liberty even more than my political views and Spence stands for liberty. Mr. Spence is a true hero for the little people.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Police State?

Randy Weaver/Ruby Ridge tragedy.

What about Alan Sklar’s performance did you like?

I loved the reader - sounds very much like the author.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

no