Reasonable Doubt

A Shocking Story of Lust and Murder in the American Heartland

By: Steve Vogel

Narrated by: Keith Sellon-Wright

Length: 16 hrs and 48 mins

Publisher's Summary

A mother and her three young children are found hacked to death in their beds. The apparent weapons, an ax and butcher knife, are found nearby. A month later, the husband and father, who was away on a business trip when the bodies were found, is accused of the killings. Police believe he methodically murdered his wife and children before he left. But why? 

A successful businessman and devoted member of a fundamentalist religious group, David Hendricks has the total support of his extended family. Police paint a darker picture, and prosecutors face the daunting task of convicting him on a case based on completely circumstantial evidence.

A New York Times best seller, this book has now been updated with additional content. People often comment they must continually remind themselves that this story is real, that Reasonable Doubt is testament to the fact truth is stranger than fiction. The book has also been used in college-level criminal justice courses to explain and illustrate the legal concept of reasonable doubt.

©1989 Steve Vogel; Postscript to the Paperback Edition copyright 1991 by Steve Vogel; Postscript to the Spring 2018 edition copyright 2018 by Steve Vogel (P)2018 Tantor

Boring!

15/17 hours of this book is just straight court transcripts. The horror of the murders really made me think this excessively long book with nothing but court transcripts was going to be worth pushing through hours on end of a monotonous narrator. Unfortunately, SPOILER, the other shoe never drops...

Poorly written. Jack Olsen would be turning in his grave.

Gripping Tale Well Told

Did he or didn’t he? The reader is presented with facts and colorful background material regarding David Hendricks, accused of the brutal murder of his wife and their three young children. The chief suspect is a perplexing and complicated character that provokes extremely polarized opinions. Each new development was well explained and examined thoughtfully. I think the author did great justice in remaining impartial and fair. I loved this book and think it is one of the finest true crime stories told.

Painful

Hours and hours of lengthy testimony read aloud. I found myself so bored and frustrated.

Too tedious

too repetitious. it's a good story but it kind of dragged on a little bit too long.

AMAZING

this book was just simply amazing had me on edge from start to finish I can't say enough about it

Good Book !

I remember so well these haunting murders. I have always believed that David Hendricks( i'm not sure I spelled the last name right) committed these horrendous murders. I admit at some few points while reading this book, that I pondered if I cud have been wrong. However there is just so much more I think, could have been in his trial by the prosecutors, such as if it we're a robbery, where was all the blood??? after so savagely slaughtering these precious kids and wife. The lack of blood to me that,it fits his ,David's profile. I was 23 year's old when this happened and have never forgotten this savage crime. God, Bless Always Susie,Grace,Rebekah and little Benjamin...... Where the the angels and God Bless you all... Whom did this, probably David Hendricks, the truth will be known by the ultimate Judge.... The narrator did a great job reading this book. 5 star's to you 💞 I want to add that if there had been burglars, in that house there would have been. blood everywhere from these so - called intruders I feel basically little to nothing was taken. I strongly Belive This Was a Very Calculated Murder of the most horrendous kind. The profile I say again is consistent with David Hendricks.... If it was not you David. Hendricks, why don't you have all the time u have spent making millions having this case back on and off the ( Cold Case Files ) ???

Good story but.....

I enjoyed the actual story line, however I had almost stopped it mid way. The testimonies, although actuality, were VERY tiresome and drawn out. I became bored and only continued listening because I was hoping it would end and we would get down to the verdict. Also the reader had a very relaxing voice but THAT coupled with the tiresome story line (testimonies) made it all the more difficult to finish.
I REALLY enjoyed the epilogue!

Not shocking; basically a transcript of the trial

Not the best narrator, and like the title says, over 90% of the book was basically exactly what occurred during the trial and what was said. Not shocking or exciting.

too long lol at some point some

some details could have been skipped over the book got really boring at one point the end was good but the Middle where he talks about stomach contents for hours just makes you want to fast-forward.

Guity for sure

Great book as far as the author but what a sad story. I don't want to give too much away so if you haven't read it don't read this........what a monster he is, living in Florida now. How could it be that he only spent 7 yrs. in prison? I know the justice system failed the Mom and her 3 children. Maybe he will suffer greatly at the end of his pitiful life. Just know that we know who the killer is!!!

Enjoyable

If you understand the ethos of the Plymouth Brethern it makes more sense.
Really enjoyed it and agree with the outcome.

An engaging but drawn out story

I found the overall story interesting, but not compelling. It was hard to stay engaged. It was fine but easily forgettable.

monologue

this one is just too bland, I'm several chapter in and still waiting for something to happen. Sorry am out of patience, can't be bothered to hear the rest.

stomach contents

I always thought I'd love to sit on a jury... until this book! The focal points of the case are really dull.... did we really need to have so much of it included verbatim?

Intriguing and Absorbing

The book was utterly absorbing, the research obviously meticulous, and the whole very well written in a pleasing prose style.
The narrator did not fall into the habit of many narrators, of trying to give each person in the tale a "voice", and so there were no slightly lighter female tones or faintly gruffer masculine ones, which I think was a good choice on the narrator's part, as it would have detracted from the performance.
A fascinating story, the reader is left with a slight unease regarding the murders and the fact that there is obviously nobody incarcerated for their commission, regardless of who actually carried out the terrible, bloody crime.