Not Just Evil, David Wilson
Not Just Evil, David Wilson
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Not Just Evil
Murder, Hollywood, and California’s First Insanity Plea

Author: David Wilson

Narrator: Joe Barrett

Unabridged: 5 hr 35 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Tantor Media

Published: 12/06/2016

Categories: Nonfiction, Law


Synopsis

Twelve-year-old Marion Parker was kidnapped from her Los Angeles school by an unknown assailant on December 15, 1927. Her body was found days later, delivered to her father by the killer, who fled with the ransom money. When William Hickman was hunted down and charged with the killing, he admitted to all of it, in terrifying detail, but that was only the start . . .

His insanity plea was the first of its kind in the history of California, and the nature of the crime led to a media frenzy unlike any the country had seen up to that point. Hickman's lawyers argued that their client lived in a fantasy world, inspired by movies, unable to tell right from wrong. The movie industry scrambled to protect its exploding popularity (and profits) from ruinous publicity. Outside of the courtroom, a country grew starved for every awful detail, and the media was only too happy to feed that hunger.

David Wilson, a private investigator for over thirty years, captures the maelstrom of Marion Parker's death in vivid detail. From the crime itself to the manhunt that followed, from the unprecedented trial to its aftermath, Wilson draws the listener in to the birth of the celebrity criminal.

About David Wilson

David Wilson worked for thirty years in the San Francisco Bay Area with his own company providing investigative services. He was hired twice by the U.S. Senate to investigate political corruption involving elected officials. In 1989 he made the first of seven trips to the West African Rain Forest, where he studied the philosophy, theology, and rituals of the indigenous shamans. Based on these studies, he has written ten books on traditional Yoruba culture and has lectured extensively on the topic. He lived for five years in Mexico, where he studied the system of pyramids built throughout South America. He is currently living in New Mexico, exploring sacred sites and working as a jazz musician. He has three children and four grandchildren.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Linda

3.5 Stars Marion Parker was 12-years-old when kidnapped and later murdered and dismembered by William Edward Hickman on December 15, 1927. He asked for $1500 ransom which was delivered by the child's father. The killer left only Marion's torso for her father ... her arms, legs and internal organs wer......more

Goodreads review by Darcia

Hickman's crime, his apparent indifference, and his attempt at using the insanity plea for the first time in California makes for an interesting read. The expansive detail about Hollywood also makes for an interesting read. But combined as they are here, the two aspects don't gel as a singular story......more

Rating: 3 I fail to understand the connection the author tries to create between this murder and film censorship. As I understand a few theaters did not want to show newsreels about the murder but other than that I do not see a significant connection. The trial was not focused on movie violence so......more

Review to follow shortly......more