The Court's Expert - Hardcover

Isham, Richard

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1477248137 ISBN 13: 9781477248133

Publisher: Authorhouse, 2012

Synopsis

Isham's legal thriller takes the reader on a journey through the Central Valley of California. Experienced trial attorneys battle to protect and vindicate their clients' rights. A wealthy rancher dies under suspicious circumstances and his care-giver is accused of murdering him. Motive? Of course, according to the care-giver, the deceased made a handshake promise to give her his mountain property upon his death in return for her promise to care for him for the rest of his life. Not only did his heirs dismiss her claim, they incited criminal charges against her. She is abruptly arrested and charged with capital homicide. Her troubles compound after she files a will contest to enforce her claim against the estate. To prove her civil case she must testify against the estate, but thereby waive her privilege against self-incrimination in the murder case. Will inconsistent verdicts be rendered by the two juries in these closely-related cases?

About this title

From the Author:

This is my first book and draws heavily on my nearly five decades of law practice. Students in my paralegal classes consider the book a realistic look at law practice. This is a classic example of a "will contest" case and provides a vivid inside look, through a fictional account.

From the Back Cover:

Charlie Malone, a seasoned criminal defense attorney, ravaged by his professional life style, finds his way into a highly challenging and perplexing case. His client, Marti Barnes, has two related cases. She is charged with first degree murder of her former employer, an elderly patient under her care at his home in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. At the same time she makes a claim against his estate to enforce her patient's promise of a pension following his death.

Barnes is caught in a quandry since to establish her claim in the will contest case she must testify, but in doing so she waives her Fifth Amendment self-incrimination privilege. The trial judge appoints a forensic expert to advise the court on the medical issues and the case proceeds to mediation, settlement conferences and then to trial, if necessary, subject to being resolved in the meantime if the parties can reach settlement.

About this edition

• Publisher: Authorhouse
• Publication date: 2012
• ISBN 10: 1477248137
• ISBN 13: 9781477248133
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 258