Innocent Until Interrogated

The True Story of the Buddhist Temple Massacre and the Tucson Four

Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Social Science, Crimes & Criminals, Murder, True Crime
Cover of the book Innocent Until Interrogated by Gary L. Stuart, University of Arizona Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Gary L. Stuart ISBN: 9780816504497
Publisher: University of Arizona Press Publication: August 12, 2012
Imprint: University of Arizona Press Language: English
Author: Gary L. Stuart
ISBN: 9780816504497
Publisher: University of Arizona Press
Publication: August 12, 2012
Imprint: University of Arizona Press
Language: English

On a sweltering August morning, a woman walked into a Buddhist temple near Phoenix and discovered the most horrific crime in Arizona history. Nine Buddhist temple members—six of them monks committed to lives of non-violence—lay dead in a pool of blood, shot execution style. The massive manhunt that followed turned up no leads until a tip from a psychiatric patient led to the arrest of five suspects. Each initially denied their involvement in the crime, yet one by one, under intense interrogation, they confessed.

Soon after, all five men recanted, saying their confessions had been coerced. One was freed after providing an alibi, but the remaining suspects—dubbed “The Tucson Four” by the media—remained in custody even though no physical evidence linked them to the crime.

Seven weeks later, investigators discovered—almost by chance—physical evidence that implicated two entirely new suspects. The Tucson Four were finally freed on November 22 after two teenage boys confessed to the crime, yet troubling questions remained. Why were confessions forced out of innocent suspects? Why and how did legal authorities build a case without evidence? And, ultimately, how did so much go so wrong?

In this first book-length treatment of the Buddhist Temple Massacre, Gary L. Stuart explores the unspeakable crime, the inexplicable confessions, and the troubling behavior of police officials. Stuart’s impeccable research for the book included a review of the complete legal records of the case, an examination of all the physical evidence, a survey of three years of print and broadcast news, and more than fifty personal interviews related to the case. Like In Cold Blood, and The Executioner’s Song, Innocent Until Interrogated is a riveting read that provides not only a striking account of the crime and the investigation but also a disturbing look at the American justice system at its very worst.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

On a sweltering August morning, a woman walked into a Buddhist temple near Phoenix and discovered the most horrific crime in Arizona history. Nine Buddhist temple members—six of them monks committed to lives of non-violence—lay dead in a pool of blood, shot execution style. The massive manhunt that followed turned up no leads until a tip from a psychiatric patient led to the arrest of five suspects. Each initially denied their involvement in the crime, yet one by one, under intense interrogation, they confessed.

Soon after, all five men recanted, saying their confessions had been coerced. One was freed after providing an alibi, but the remaining suspects—dubbed “The Tucson Four” by the media—remained in custody even though no physical evidence linked them to the crime.

Seven weeks later, investigators discovered—almost by chance—physical evidence that implicated two entirely new suspects. The Tucson Four were finally freed on November 22 after two teenage boys confessed to the crime, yet troubling questions remained. Why were confessions forced out of innocent suspects? Why and how did legal authorities build a case without evidence? And, ultimately, how did so much go so wrong?

In this first book-length treatment of the Buddhist Temple Massacre, Gary L. Stuart explores the unspeakable crime, the inexplicable confessions, and the troubling behavior of police officials. Stuart’s impeccable research for the book included a review of the complete legal records of the case, an examination of all the physical evidence, a survey of three years of print and broadcast news, and more than fifty personal interviews related to the case. Like In Cold Blood, and The Executioner’s Song, Innocent Until Interrogated is a riveting read that provides not only a striking account of the crime and the investigation but also a disturbing look at the American justice system at its very worst.

More books from University of Arizona Press

Cover of the book Universities and Indian Country by Gary L. Stuart
Cover of the book Latino Placemaking and Planning by Gary L. Stuart
Cover of the book A Passion for the True and Just by Gary L. Stuart
Cover of the book George Hunt by Gary L. Stuart
Cover of the book Latinas and Latinos on TV by Gary L. Stuart
Cover of the book Arizona Politicians by Gary L. Stuart
Cover of the book History Is in the Land by Gary L. Stuart
Cover of the book Beyond Alterity by Gary L. Stuart
Cover of the book In the Shadow of Cortés by Gary L. Stuart
Cover of the book Stand Up and Fight by Gary L. Stuart
Cover of the book Florida by Gary L. Stuart
Cover of the book The King of Lighting Fixtures by Gary L. Stuart
Cover of the book The El Mozote Massacre by Gary L. Stuart
Cover of the book Starving for Justice by Gary L. Stuart
Cover of the book Aztlán Arizona by Gary L. Stuart
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy