Accused

My Fight for Truth, Justice and the Strength to Forgive

By: Tonya Craft

Narrated by: Hillary Huber

Tonya Craft, a Georgia kindergarten teacher and loving mother of two, never expected a knock on her door to change her life forever. But in May 2008, false accusations of child molestation turned her world upside down. The trial that followed dragged her reputation through the mud and lent nationwide notoriety to her name. Tonya's life spiraled into a witch-trial nightmare in which she was deemed guilty before her innocence could be determined by a jury. Her children were taken away without even a good-bye, and her own daughter was forced to take the stand against her in a courtroom. The situation seemed hopeless, and Tonya was shell-shocked and heartbroken. But that didn't keep her from finding the strength to fight.

Accused is about more than Tonya's shocking trial and fight for justice. It is the story of a mother's extraordinary love, the faith that sees her through it all, and the forgiveness that sets her free.

©2015 Tonya Craft (P)2015 Tantor

Critic reviews

" Accused, the true story of a Tonya Craft's fight against the criminal justice system, is much more than a blow by blow account of a woman facing a prosecutorial steamroller." (Robert Whitlow, author of The Confession)

Heartwrenching Story

The story of the witch hunt Tonya Craft endured is heartbreaking and shocking. The narrator brings a liveliness to the story's many characters that pulls you deeper in, especially in the courtroom scenes. I have to say, though, that while I sympathized with Tonya's ordeal throughout I didn't like her a lot by the end. Throughout the book, she peppers in phrases like (I'm paraphrasing here) "It was important that the jury know I'm not a perfect person," yet outside of two small failings she takes credit for, she presents herself mostly as the only morally upright person in the room, a person whose every action is altruistic. I really find that hard to buy. Telling people you're not perfect yet behaving as if you think you are would lend credence to ONE of the prosecution's allegations: that Tonya is a bit narcissistic. Still, narcissist does not remotely equal child molester, and this woman is so completely and clearly innocent it's ridiculous that grown adults could have ever put her and the children in their care through all this.

Best Books 2016

Great read, particularly as the trial gets going. Sure hope the sale of this book can contribute towards payment of legal fees

What a great book!

I really didn’t think that this book would be as impactful as it was to me. I listen to true crime all the time and, as much as I enjoy the books, I rarely rate anything this high. Initially I thought the accent was going to annoy me but I found that it actually enhanced the story. The writing was excellent, the word usage was perfect and the sentiment was raw and honest. I really hope that her family finds peace after this nightmare.

Unbelievable!

My heart broke for Tonya Craft and her family. What a travesty of justice!
I admire her ability to forgive.

Unbelievable & amazing.

Unbelievable and amazing. Didn’t want to stop listening. True and sad. Very well written and read.