John Ferak was on Darkness Radio with host Dave Schrader on Tuesday, May 24th, from 10-11pm Central Time. John will be discussed his new true crime book, FAILURE OF JUSTICE: A Brutal Murder, An Obsessed Cop, Six Wrongful Convictions, as well as his work on the Steven Avery "Making A Murderer" case. Listen to the full interview here. FAILURE OF JUSTICE details the largest wrongful conviction case in U.S. history. It is "Making A Murderer" times … [Read more...]
Author John Ferak’s Work on the “Making A Murderer” Steven Avery Case
Wrongful Convictions At The Crux Of 'Making A Murderer' And FAILURE OF JUSTICE Who would have predicted that a Christmastime 10-part documentary on a true-crime right here in Wisconsin would spark international interest in America's criminal justice system and the plight of wrongful convictions like we've never seen before? My new true crime book, FAILURE OF JUSTICE, describes such a case, as did the Netflix series, 'Making a Murderer,' which … [Read more...]
Prosecutor Proved The Beatrice 6 Innocent And That Their Confessions Were False
John Ferak’s new book "FAILURE OF JUSTICE" about Beatrice, Nebraska brings to mind those strange days when we came face to face with the reality that five people had falsely confessed to participating in a murder. That case confirmed a belief that I have held throughout my career as a prosecutor and as defense counsel. Interrogation is not investigation. The successful solicitation of a confession is no substitute for thorough … [Read more...]
Investigator Tina Vath Unraveled Beatrice’s FAILURE OF JUSTICE Homicide Case
Nebraska Police Investigator Talks About Her Role In The Beatrice 6 Investigation In 2003, I became the Beatrice Police Department’s Criminal Investigator. At the time the department had only one investigator position. I knew the story of the Helen Wilson murder and subsequent investigation that led to the arrest and conviction of six people. I had not reviewed any of the case file and never questioned their guilt or innocence. I just believed … [Read more...]
Did A Psychic Help Solve The Helen Wilson Rape-Murder in Beatrice, Nebraska?
As of February 1988, the Helen Wilson murder investigation was in need of a fresh set of eyes - like a psychic, perhaps? By 1988, more than a hundred potential suspects had been interviewed, examined and excluded. Mostly these were southeastern Nebraska residents, but some were out of state serial rapists from the likes of Kansas and Colorado as well. It didn't matter. Wherever the Beatrice Police Department seemed to go looking, … [Read more...]
Kevin Sullivan Talks About Ted Bundy on The Generation Why Podcast
Kevin Sullivan was recently featured on the The Generation Why Podcast to discuss his new true crime book, THE TRAIL OF TED BUNDY: Digging Up the Untold Stories. Kevin's new book is a look into the life of serial killer Ted Bundy, from those who knew him, to those who chased him, and from those who mourned his many victims. Listen to the full podcast here. Acclaim for Kevin Sullivan and his work on Ted Bundy “Despite the multitude of books … [Read more...]
“Making A Murderer,” FAILURE OF JUSTICE Shine Light on Wrongful Convictions
Millions across the globe have watched 'Making a Murderer' on Netflix. It's the story of Wisconsin's Steven Avery. He goes to prison in the 1980s. He's a victim of a wrongful conviction for a brutal rape. Years later, he goes back to prison for murder and people are now debating whether he was victimized by a broken criminal justice in Wisconsin - again. My new book chronicles the terrible saga of Nebraska's Beatrice 6. FAILURE OF JUSTICE is … [Read more...]
Colorful Characters Brought To Life In Ferak’s True Crime Book On Beatrice 6 Case
Winters in Wisconsin can be downright frigid. Except for shoveling the snow off the driveway and the sidewalks, there isn't much motivation for going out. But back in January of 2014 I was looking forward to venturing outside for a change, even if it was for just a brief moment. It pertained to the infamous Beatrice 6 murder case. God bless the U.S. Post Office. The package arrived on time. Inside the small box was a small computer disk. … [Read more...]
Using Human Scent Dogs to Track Down a Killer
One of the ways the feds were able to track down Joshua Wade after he had already evaded conviction in the murder of Della Brown, was to use human scent dogs. I had never written about Bloodhounds before writing ICE AND BONE, and what I discovered astonished me. The dogs were able to pick up Wade’s scent two whole weeks AFTER he had used the ATM card of one of his victims. This video, which the FBI shared with me, picks up as a dog named … [Read more...]
Frank Girardot Discusses A TASTE FOR MURDER on Crime Time
Frank Girardot Jr. discusses his and co-author Burl Barer's new true crime book, A TASTE FOR MURDER, on Crime Time with host Allison Hope Weiner. A TASTE FOR MURDER details the case of Frank Rodriguez, who aside from being dead, was in perfect health. Watch the full show below to find out why this case was chosen, how Burl and Frank conducted their research, and get an inside look into Frank's murder. Get your copy of the hit true crime A TASTE … [Read more...]