Defending A Serial Killer: The Right To Counsel

A gripping true crime account of defending the indefensible: a serial killer.

The Fifth and Sixth Amendments guarantee the right to counsel, even for the most heinous criminals. In 1982, Jim Potts, a brilliant law student, is recruited to assist in the death penalty appeal of Michael Dee Mattson, a convicted serial killer. Potts discovers a loophole that could set Mattson free, forcing him to confront a moral dilemma: protect his family and community, or uphold his duty to the Constitution?

For readers of true crime, legal thrillers, and stories of ethical conflict, Defending a Serial Killer explores:

• The complexities of the American judicial system
• The psychological toll on those who defend the guilty
• The impact of crime on victims and their families

Can Potts find a way to keep Mattson behind bars without sacrificing his career or his marriage? The answer lies in a battle between personal ethics and professional obligation.

Jim Potts, JD is a lawyer and author with a B.A. and Juris Doctorate Degree. He is a former Reserve Captain, a P.O.S. T. Certified Terrorist Investigator, a member of the Open Source Intelligence Team, and a twenty-year member of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, with the rank of Captain. Potts is a certified Mediator through the Los Angeles County Bar Association and a former Master Teacher for the University of Phoenix (Southern California Campus), having taught undergraduate and graduate levels. His course curriculums included United States Constitutional Law, Criminal Law, Criminal Procedure, Ethics, Business Law, and Employment Law. He has represented employers and industries regarding State & Federal employment law compliance for forty years.

Potts travels the nation speaking on domestic terrorism in front of political groups, business associations, community-based organizations, schools, businesses, as well as conducts active shooter training for thousands in and out of the workplace. He has a radio show on Sundays at 3pm on LA Talk Radio, where he continues to provide domestic terrorism safety tips. Jim’s blog, "Listen Up!" has fans in over 55 countries.