Wicked Deeds: Murder In America

James M. O'Kane

Transaction Publishers

About this ebook

To most Americans, homicide appears to be a random act,one committed by a deranged and irrational killer in a haphazard, unpredictable manner. Murder is seen as a chaotic, disorganized act beyond the realm of reason. In Wicked Deeds, James O'Kane shows that homicide is actually rather predictable, and patterned with respect to its assailants and victims, the circumstances in which it takes place, the time and location where it occurs, and the motives which precipitate the murderous act. Engagingly written and solidly grounded in evidence, this is a definitive study of murder in the United States. O'Kane explores the phenomena of homicide, illustrating the journalists' "who, what, why, when, and where" of murder. He differentiates criminal homicide, such as murder in the first and second degree, from other types of killings, including legal and quasi-legal killings. These include suicide, abortion, accidental death, terrorism, and other non-criminal types of homicide, such as justifiable and excusable homicide. The author's focus is criminal homicide, and he uses age, sex, race, and socioeconomic status, as well as demographic data to explain ever-recurring patterns of murder in the United States. Wicked Deeds analyzes numerous categories of murder: intimate partner homicide, child and family murders, multiple victim killings, including mass murder and serial homicide. Each type of murder is illustrated by accounts of actual murders reported in the media and on internet sites. Approximately 200 cases illustrate the typical homicides as well as the bizarre ones. In portraying the patterns and regularities of murder in the United States, Wicked Deeds is an essential treatment of a subject too often given over to sensationalism. It will be of keen interest to professionals and students of criminal justice, as well as those interested in American culture and the general reader who wants to grasp the patterns underlying the headlines.

Ratings and reviews

The claim that Wicked Deeds and I suppose that means James M. O'Kane, analyzes numerous categories of murder is erroneous. He is so far out on Story # 76. It must be that he scanned the countries news articles and then put those he laiked the best in a book. The sentence "Each type of murder is illustrated by accounts of actual murders reported in the media and on internet sites.", supports my stance. The particial sentence "OKane shows that homicide is actually rather predictable," is equally flawed. The statements that Lorenz was shy, that hostilities festered between the two parties mentioned in #76 is incorrect, as is the reference that "Lorenz came out of his house with a .380". Lorenz never came out of his house during the "times" that Eldridge began his drunken rage. Eldridge was actually warned three (3) times with the phrase "Don't come in my house", but failed to listen, and proceeded to enter. Like the media this writer has chosen to taken incorrect information from newspapers and internet comments to produce a "flawed book". Trust me, I know the facts of this case intimately. Take my word for it that there are far better ways to spend $34.95 than on this book.

I Cannot say I can give this book a rating. Reason being? Well I happen to be the young lady in story # 33. At the time I was a teenager when the the crime took place, and as far as I can see some of the things mentioned were untrue facts. How do I know? Well because I was there. I would first like to say that the victim was NOT walking his dog. Where did that even come from? Yes he was taking a walk but....walking his dog? I can only imagine how all the other stories have been falsely enhanced to get a readers attention....And for what ? To make money right? Nice try but at least when writing a book, have your facts straight.

The writers account of #76 is far from accurate, bits and pieces of poor news media sensationalism crap. You want to write the real story? Bring a contract, your checkbook and a copier.