“Sam, could you do me a favor?” Thus begins a story that has now become part of America’s true crime hall of fame. It is a gory, grotesque tale befitting a Stephen King novel. It is also a David and Goliath saga — the story of a young lawyer fresh from the Public Defender’s Office whose first client in private practice turns out to be the worst serial killer in our nation’s history.
Sam …
Sam Amirante had just opened his first law practice when he got a phone call from his friend John Wayne Gacy, a well-known and well-liked community figure. Gacy was upset about what he called “police harassment” and asked Amirante for help. With the police following his every move in connection with the disappearance of a local teenager, Gacy eventually gives a drunken, dramatic, early morning confession — to his new lawyer. Gacy is eventually charged with murder and Amirante suddenly becomes the defense attorney for one of American’s most disturbing serial killers. It is his first case. This is a gripping narrative that reenacts the gruesome killings and the famous trial that shocked a nation.
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Written by Gacy’s defense attorney, Sam Amirante, this was a great view of this serial killer from the stand point of the defense of a man who never had a shred of mercy for anyone. Gacy was his 1st client of his newly started private practice. The defense attorney felt that ALL citizens of the United States deserve a fair and impartial trial. The 2 lawyers worked tirelessly to follow the Constitutional rights of a completely despicable man. He knew of Gacy’s guilt, but still held up his end of the Constitution. A very interesting read.
This is the first book I have read on the Gacy homicides. While I was born and raised on Chicago’s northwest side (just googled addresses: only 7.2 miles from his home!) I was only eleven years old when Gacy was finally caught. In an early chapter in his book Judge Amirante describes, as body after body is being pulled from Gacy’s home, family members associated with law enforcement wondering ‘where has dad been lately?’ That is my dominant memory and overriding experience as my father was a Chicago Police Violent Crimes Detective at the time, fifteen years of his thirty years on the job. We never discussed it but I imagine he must have been involved and following-up in some way. I distinctly remember reading the stories in the Trib, not fully comprehending or understanding the magnitude of what was happening, only that it was Christmas vacation time from school and I had not and would not see my dad in days; I know I asked that exact question out loud. The many jokes he describes people telling: “ How cold is it in John Gacy’s house? 33 below”…funny for fifth graders, highly insensitive and disrespectful to the victims as an adult. Defending a Monster is an easy read and well written from a unique perspective. Perhaps it is because Judge Amirante and I are both Chicagoans and that I am familiar with the verbiage, speaking style, and many, many, many of the locations mentioned in his book (I was born in Resurrection Hospital, “Res”, the same hospital his son is admitted to for an illness, etc) but it feels more like the judge is retelling his story directly to me in conversation. Unfortunately and still tragically, every word is true.
This story shares with us the mind of a predator, serial killer and activist in his community all rolled into one. He deceived everyone, including the police and his lawyers…..at least initially. We learn of the many young boys this horrible man tricked & murdered in cold blood, without focusing on gory details. We read from the lawyer’s point of view, his struggle to give his crazy, madman client the constitutional right to a trial, not because he thought John Wayne Gasy was innocent, but because our constitution demanded everyone this right. Whether your interest lies in true crime, law, biography or just a good read. This is a book to read.
I really enjoyed the perspective of this book. Often times books are written by the prosecution or a criminologist, but this book being written by the defence gave a different view. I respect his view and the fact that even now he is on John’s side for his mental illness (althought I dont personally share this view). I liked how he made him human as well as a monster. I feel to often people only show the monster. Overall a great read and very informative.
The author, who was Gacy’s defense attorney, paints a picture of an individual who, despite being a twisted serial rapist and murderer, was at the same time a garrulous, at times likeable human being who seemed strangely detached from his evil crimes.
A very artful way of seeing the other side of a mass killer after spending so much time defending him in a court of law. Very clever and interesting to follow.
Not bad. Well written.
Intense. A portrait of a truly evil man. Well written.
This is lawyer Sam Amirante’s account of his defense of John Wayne Gacy. Wow! if you have ever wondered how someone can defend a monster, how they go about it, and why, this is the book to read. I have nothing but awe and respect for all the work Amirante did in trying to get the jury to understand the workings of this mass murderer;s mind. I actually understood how hard Gacy tried to be “normal”. Too bad he wasn’t caught after 1 or 2 killings. He could have been helped, psychiatrists would have learned something about criminal behavior, and Amirante may have won the case.. But, as it is, I too would have entered a guilty verdict. Thirty some bodies buried beneath his house and thrown in the river is just too hard to comprehend.
Deep dive into the mind of an insane serial killer. I learned things I never knew about Gacy. Well written and a true page turner!
Gacy’s lawyer wrote the book so first hand.
This book is written by the attorney that represents Cary. A very different perspective. Interesting
Only for those who are into true crime
Always wondered about Gacy, why he killed young men and hid them under his house. Book explains his actions.
Having lived through this horror in Chicago, and knowing people that associated with John Wayne Gacy, it was a haunting and memorable read. Seeing it from his attorneys view was very interesting. I certainly wouldn’t have wanted to be his attorney!
This book takes place in my neighborhood. John Gary was a customer in my restauran . Makes it even more real to life
Don’t bother if you know who he is it’s all redundant
Interesting, but I did not like the author’s (his lawyer’s) style. Mostly knew the story, gave a few insights but did not like the style.
Brought back lot of memories. Books like this stay with you for awhile. Don’t read before bed
Very Scary, but I felt it told the real story.