Hello everyone,
I rarely recommend products and/or services, but every once in a while, I learn about, use, or hear about a product or service that is worth recommending/telling you about.
“Getting Life: An Innocent Man’s 25 Year Journey from Prison to Peace” by Michael Morton, is one of the best books I have ever read. The author of the book, Michael Morton, was wrongly convicted of murdering his wife, served 25 years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit, due to the prosecutor on his case hiding evidence. Most of his family and friends gave up on him, but he kept trying to find ways to prove he was innocent, with the help from lawyers at the Innocence Project. Eventually they were able to prove he was innocent, his case was dismissed, and he was released from jail.
Michael Morton then made it his mission to find a way to make sure that what happened to him doesn’t happen to others. The Michael Morton Act became law in Texas on January 1st, 2014. The Michael Morton Act requires prosecutors to share all the evidence they have in their possession with the defense/defendant. The Michael Morton Act has made the criminal case discovery process more transparent for all Texan’s accused of committing a crime.
For anyone interested in purchasing the book, we put a link to the Amazon.com page at the bottom of this post.
Yours in success,
Michael “MJ The Terrible” Johnson
Getting Life: An Innocent Man’s 25 Year Journey from Prison to Peace by Michael Morton
Description
On August 13th, 1986, just one day after his thirty-second birthday, Michael Morton went to work at his usual time. By the end of the day, his wife Christine had been savagely bludgeoned to death in the couple’s bed, and the Williamson County Sherriff’s office in Texas wasted no time in pinning her murder on Michael, despite an absolute lack of physical evidence. Michael was swiftly sentenced to life in prison for a crime he had not committed. He mourned his wife from a prison cell. He lost all contact with their son. Life, as he knew it, was over.
Drawing on his recollections, court transcripts, and more than 1,000 pages of personal journals he wrote in prison, Michael recounts the hidden police reports about an unidentified van parked near his house that were never pursued; the bandana with the killer’s DNA on it, that was never introduced in court; the call from a neighboring county reporting the attempted use of his wife’s credit card, which was never followed up on; and ultimately, how he battled his way through the darkness to become a free man once again.
Reviews
“A devastating and infuriating book, more astonishing than any legal thriller by John Grisham”, about a young father who spent twenty-five years in prison for a crime he did not commit, and his eventual exoneration and return to life as a free man.” The New York Times
“Morton poignantly recounts half a lifetime spent behind bars and underscores the glaring errors of our justice system.” Oprah.com
“A stunning memoir…A great deal has been written about the shortcomings of the American criminal justice system, but perhaps nothing more searing than Morton’s book, ‘Getting Life.’ It is a devastating and infuriating book, more astonishing than any legal thriller by John Grisham. Morton is able to deliver this aching and poignant look at the criminal justice system only because he didn’t get a death sentence. ” Nicholas Kristof of the New York Times
“Imagine spending 25 years in prison for a murder you did not commit. Imagine the murder victim was your wife, the love of your life. And imagine it all happened because prosecutors and law enforcement officials cooked up a case against you and hid evidence that would have identified the real killer. Michael Morton doesn’t have to imagine because he lived it. It’s usually a cliché to say someone has been to hell and back, but in Morton’s case that is exactly what happened, and his stunning and lyrical account of the journey will break your heart, then make you mad, and finally fill you with hope.” David R. Dow, Founder of Texas Innocence Network
“Even for readers who may feel practically jaded about stories of injustice in Texas, even those who followed this case closely in the press could do themselves a favor by picking up Michael Morton’s new memoir. It is extremely well-written and insightful Getting Life is an extraordinary story of unfathomable tragedy, grave injustice, and the strength and courage it takes to find forgiveness.” Austin Chronicle
“An intimate, gripping portrayal of a grievous miscarriage of justice.” Kirkus Reviews
“A true Texas story of how our system of justice can itself be criminal. Michael Morton’s powerful tale will take you with him into mourning, into prison, and finally, thankfully, back out into the light.” Dan Rather
“An eloquent, page-turning memoir.” Publishers Weekly
“In straightforward, thoughtful prose, surprisingly devoid of bitterness, from his personal journals as well as with court transcripts, Morton details his love for his wife and son, his loss of both, and his years spent surviving in prison and trying to prove his innocence. A powerful memoir and a powerful indictment of the U.S. judicial system and its potential to imprison innocent men and women.” Booklist
“Even for readers who may feel practically jaded about stories of injustice in Texas, even those who followed this case closely in the press could do themselves a favor by picking up Michael Morton’s new memoir. It is extremely well-written, insightful, infuriating, and, in places, quite funny.” Austin Chronical
“A lively and intimate account of his rise from pariah to celebrated survivor after DNA evidence and determined lawyers proved his innocence after 25 years in prison. What makes Morton’s story so intriguing is the ease with which most people can put themselves in his place the victim of a crime treated like a criminal and wonder if they could cope, let alone survive.” Austin American-Statesman
“A jarring testament that truth really can be stranger than fiction. The writing is snappy and clean, with more wit than one might expect.” San Antonio Express News
“A tale of grave injustice and, finally, great strength and courage and intelligence.” Hudson Valley News
“Riveting.” Parade Magazine
About the Author
Michael Morton was born in Texas, grew up in California, and moved back to Texas in high school. While living in Austin, Michael was convicted of murdering his wife, a crime he did not commit. He spent almost twenty-five years in prison before being exonerated through the efforts of the Innocence Project, pro bono lawyer John Raley, and advances in DNA technology. Michael is now remarried and lives on a lake in rural East Texas, relishing and appreciating what others may take for granted.
Getting Life: An Innocent Man’s 25 Year Journey from Prison to Peace by Michael Morton – https://amzn.to/3lUjOpI
