“Echoes
of My Soul” is Tanenbaum’s first nonfiction venture in over 25 years. He chose
a subject close to his heart because of the people involved, which includes his
mentors, D.A. Frank Hogan, John Keenan, and Mel Glass, to whom Tanenbaum
credits in helping formulate his professional career. “Echoes of My Soul” is an
insider’s account of the rape-murders of Janet Wylie and Emily Hoffert, which
became known as the Career Girls Murders Case. It also focuses attention on the
coercive methods used by police to elicit false confessions from George
Whitmore, wrongly accused for committing the murders.
The
methods/force used by police to elicit false confessions from Whitmore became
instrumental in the Supreme Court’s landmark decision that prescribed what we
know as the Miranda Warnings. Miranda requires law enforcement to advise
suspects subject to custodial interrogation of their rights, including but not
limited to the right to have an attorney present during questioning and the
right to remain silent. The Wylie-Hoffert case is also held to be partly
responsible for New York State’s abolition of the death penalty.
Tanenbaum
incorporated trial transcripts and never before publicly viewed crime scene
photos, along with D.A. Mel Glass’s direct input, to write a stirring account
of events that forever changed law enforcement procedures and the steps taken
to further protect citizens against wrongful prosecution. “Echoes” is a story
of drama, anguish, perseverance, and a fight for justice in the face of
injustice. But don’t forget that “Echoes” is also about the victims, Emily
Hoffert and Janice Wylie, brutally murdered in their apartment, and the search
for their killer.
“Echoes”
could have been a tedious, laboring read rife with legal jargon most readers
would never connect with. Instead, Tanenbaum crafted his book into a fast paced
thriller/mystery using fact to keep readers on the edge of their seats. This is
a seriously good book that while entertaining, never wavers from its mission to
tell the truth and chronicle a search for justice on many levels – much like
Robert Tanenbaum.
Q)
What made you decide to return to nonfiction for the first time since 1987?
A)
I was requested by my mentor at the NY District Attorney’s Office (“DAO”), Mel
Glass, to write the truth, the inside account of the Wylie/Hoffert double
murder/rape case. In my judgment, it is
the single most important case ever to come out of the NYDAO. The manner in which the case was investigated
and prosecuted in the N.Y. Supreme Court has become the paradigm of the
Ministry of Justice, the beacon of integrity for all of law enforcement to
measure up to and emulate. When mistakes
are made, admit to them and correct them.
Seek truth and do justice without fear or favor as professionally and
effectively as possible.
Q)
How did being a part of the Kennedy and King investigations affect you?
A)
When I served as deputy chief counsel to the congressional committee
investigation into the assassinations of JFK and Martin Luther King Jr., I was
astounded by the incompleteness and lack of professionalism of the Warren
Commission effort. The federal executive
intelligence agencies responsible for the investigation had their own agendas
that regrettably conflicted with the search for truth.
Having
been trained in the DAO of legendary D.A. Frank Hogan, I was undeterred by
those who sought to influence the investigation by applying political pressures
or other considerations that were anathema to the search for truth. Ultimately, when the committee actively
compromised the integrity of the probe, I tendered my resignation. The committee members’ political crassness
and timidity breached their duty to inform the American people about the truth.
Q)
Working within the justice system forever changes a person’s outlook about
society. Do you
foresee a day when you can truly walk away and live a life
outside the halls of justice?
A)
The concept of American execeptionalism is rooted in our Judeo/Christian value
system. Its essence is that we are a
moral people who attempt to institutionalize virtue, while recognizing that
evil exists, and that it must be confronted and defeated decisively.
At
its most compelling, there is a moral dimension to our value system that exists
and ought to influence and determine the decisions that we make in our private
and public lives. Certainly, public
officials are mandated pursuant to our founding documents, The Declaration of
Independence/Constitution – two promissory notes – to be guided by and act
consonant with these moral and legal precepts.
To
do justice in our lives, to be civil, tolerant, rational and forthright is to
enhance the dignity not only of ourselves but of the public office we may
occupy, the job we hold and the culture in which we thrive. These values are everlasting. We need to experience them so that we may
always be reminded who we are and from where we came. When faced with cultural coarsening, we seek
affirmation of triumph. Echoes of My
Soul satisfies that need.
Whether
inside or out from the halls of justice, my life, my moral quest remains the
same.
Q)
The events portrayed in “Echoes” are extremely important and masterfully told.
Do you sometimes fear the book’s entertainment value might override the
critical message?
A)
Seems to me that the more entertaining the presentation, the more intense the
message.
Q)
The obvious question: Will there be more nonfiction works from you, and if so,
what’s on the horizon?
A)
I will definitely engage in presenting more dramatic, tempestuous and garish
confrontational non-fiction accounts.
It’s important to continue the process of enlightening through the prism
of satisfying entertainment.
Q)
A question purely out of curiosity. As a retired police chief, I’ve been known
to throw cheese puffs at the TV when law enforcement procedures, and especially
Miranda, are bastardized to fit an implausible story. Do your hackles ever get
raised at the misinformation TV spews out from time to time?
A)
Yes, ABSOLUTELY! I share your concern
that it is of the utmost importance for the media to have legitimate experts
knowledgeable and savvy about the criminal justice system to discuss the
crucial issues of the day.
Unfortunately, we experience, all too frequently, less than competent
pontificating talking heads spinning inaccurate reportage!
DA Kentner is an
award-winning author www.kevad.net
No comments:
Post a Comment