Barry Siegel
The Perfect Witness
Guest Review By Harriet Klausner
Ballantine Books
1999
An intriguing and shocking look at the judicial system
In La Graciosa, California, Ira Sullivan is accused of killing his neighbor Bob Wilson. Ira turns to his former law partner Greg Monarch to defend him. Initially, Greg figures that he can easily get his client, who does not remember anything due to drug usage, off the hook. The murder weapon and $33,000 was found in the possession of Sandy Polson. However, Sandy, who is a witness for the DA, explains that Greg gave her the gun and cash and she was too scared to say no to him.
Greg begins to tear apart Sandy’s story, but she conveniently rewrites it to fit every objection he can find. His plan to prove Sandy a liar on the stand fails and is his client is convicted of murder. Greg knows that Sandy is a pathological liar and that the DA wants a scapegoat. Ever the idealist who believes in the justice system (though shaken a bit), Greg has just begun to fight, but the forces opposing him are growing ever stronger.
THE PERFECT WITNESS is a phenomenal legal procedural because of a profound story line that accentuates the conflict between justice and an adequate defense. Greg is a great character as his ideals and friendship are tested to the max. For that matter, so is the American judicial system tested to the max, but unlike Greg, seems to have come up lacking. Fans who read Barry Siegel’s novel will bear witness that this is a near perfect novel.
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