Case Studies of Famous Trials and the Construction of Guilt and Innocence

From the trials of Oscar Pistorius to O.J. Simpson and Michael Jackson, this innovative book provides a critical review of 11 high profile criminal cases. These case studies examine how ‘guilt’ and ‘innocence’ are constructed in the courts and in wider society, using the themes of evidence and narratives; credibility; rhetoric and oratory in the court room; social status; vulnerability and false confessions; diminished responsibility and the media and social judgments.

Written for criminology, sociology, law, and criminal justice students, the book includes:

• exercises to extend thinking on each case;

• recommended readings for studying the cases and concepts discussed in each chapter;

• an extensive specialist reference list including web links to videos and transcripts pertaining to many of the cases discussed in the book.

The book delivers an accessible examination of the criminological, sociological, psychological and legal processes underpinning the outcome of criminal cases, and their representation in the media and wider society.

Caroline Gorden is Reader in Criminology and Criminal Justice at Wrexham Glyndwr University. Co-author of Constructing Guilt and Innocence: Case Studies of Famous Trials, Caroline delivers the innovative module to her undergraduate students on which the book is based, which has received great feedback from students. Caroline has also published work in relation to women prison leavers and homelessness in Wales.

Christopher Birkbeck is Professor of Criminology at the University of Salford. He designed the original module on Constructing Guilt and Innocence and delivered it for many years at the University of Salford. He has published on a wide variety of topics, including comparative criminology, policing, prisons, probation, and theories of crime.