About Scoundrels to the Hoosegow: Perry Mason Moments and Entertaining Cases From the Files of a Prosecuting Attorney by Morley Swingle
“Morley Swingle’s Scoundrels to the Hoosegow is not only consistently fascinating, but there is much to be learned from it about life in and out of an American courtroom. I highly recommend this engrossing book.” Vincent Bugliosi, Author of Helter Skelter
THIS 2023 E-BOOK EDITION OF SCOUNDRELS TO THE HOOSEGOW HAS ADDED FIVE NEW BONUS CHAPTERS:
“The Case of the Bitch-Slapped Bungler”
“The Case of the Serial Killer’s Semen”
“The Case of the Well-Timed Wink”
“The Case of the Altruistic Artist”
“The Case of the Tattered Tongue”
“The Case of the Serial Killer’s Semen” tells the behind-the-scenes story of the prosecution of serial killer Timothy Wayne Krajcir.
“The Case of the Well-Timed Wink” puts the reader on the receiving end of an unusual but effective cross-examination technique used by renowned St. Louis trial lawyer Scott Rosenblum.
In Scoundrels to the Hoosegow, a veteran prosecutor who is also a consummate storyteller shares more than thirty fascinating legal stories drawn from real life, recreating with verve and wit, villains, heroes, and ordinary citizens. In cases both tragic and hilarious, Morley Swingle offers a behind-the-scenes look at the justice system, taking readers from crime scenes to courtrooms as he explores the world of prosecutors, judges, defense attorneys, police officers and criminals.
Informed by a deep appreciation of Mark Twain, Swingle aims to do for his profession what Clemens did for riverboat piloting. He leads readers on an enjoyable romp through crime and punishment, while offering a clear exposition of legal points—from the subtleties of cross-examination to the pitfalls of plea bargaining.
In cases ranging from indecent exposure to serial murder, Swingle discusses sensitive issues faced daily by prosecutors. Whether describing a drunken but well-meaning probationer who frees dogs from the Humane Society, or the woman who tries to hire a reluctant hit man to dispose of her husband, or a woman who rents an X-rated video and wants the store prosecuted for promoting pornography, he combines true crime and legal analysis with a healthy dose of humor—and shares the occasional “Perry Mason moment” where a trial dramatically shifts direction.
Not since Robert Traver, author of Anatomy of a Murder, penned Small Town D.A. has an American prosecutor written such a candid, revealing, and funny account of the job—an altogether satisfying book that sentences the reader to many hours of enjoyment.
“Morley Swingle proves that some lawyers can actually write entertainingly.” Harry Levins, St. Louis Post-Dispatch
“Morley Swingle is a rarity among lawyers, and almost unique among prosecutors: a man who loves the books as much as the courtroom, and who writes as well as he dissects witnesses on the stand. Swingle presents the life of a country prosecutor with verve and wit. Scoundrels is a highly enjoyable romp through crime and punishment. If Tom Wolfe’s Bonfire of the Vanities captured the essence of criminal practice in a major metropolis, then Scoundrels surely captures the essence of that practice in small town and rural America.” Robert H. Dierker, Jr., Retired Circuit Court Judge
“Morley Swingle, a career prosecutor with a fine sense of humor and an appreciation of the English language, has produced an often funny, sometimes moving, but always interesting account of his 25 years as a prosecutor. The reader will gain an understanding of the importance of the prosecutor in our criminal justice system and the nature of decisions a prosecutor must make. Such an undertaking is easy to acquire when the presentation is spiced with humor. The reader will also learn that Missouri has its share—maybe more than its share—of weird and sometimes dangerous scoundrels.” Edward H. Hunvald, Professor of Law, University of Missouri
“Through true tales from his career, Morley Swingle offers an insightful look into the life of a small-town prosecutor. From the bright lights of Oprah to the gritty details of crimes, Swingle deftly details both the comic foibles of lawbreakers and the sometimes-tragic consequences of their criminal behavior. Along the way, the reader gains an appreciative feel for the wide range of issues prosecutors must address and the often-difficult decisions they must make.” Gary P. Toohey, Editor, Journal of the Missouri Bar
“Swingle has written an interesting, easily approachable—and rare—account of daily life as a prosecuting attorney. I am unaware of any prosecutor who writes better than Swingle. The book is refreshing. Mark Twain almost certainly would have enjoyed it.” Steve Weinberg, St. Louis Post-Dispatch
“Morley Swingle is a terrific writer and an even better entertainer. Lawyers and non-lawyers alike will enjoy being along for this informative and entertaining trip to the hoosegow.” Alan J. Courture, Forward, Reviews of Indie Books.
“Scoundrels is for anybody who likes a good mystery, or true crime. Those who read Ann Rule, Joe McGinniss or John Grisham will enjoy this recounting of hilarious and true situations, and some really serous and deadly cases. Swingle writes with wonderful literacy.” Lithuanian Librarian
“Morley Swingle knows how to tell a good story. It’s a skill the veteran prosecutor honed in his opening and closing arguments at countless trials.” Mark Bliss, Southeast Missourian
“The underlying serious nature of Scoundrels is difficult to detect without a careful reading. That’s because Swingle hopes to convey humor and irony.” Steve Weinberg, St. Louis Post-Dispatch
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Author Bio:
Morley Swingle is a former prosecutor now writing mystery/thrillers and law books. As both a state and federal prosecutor, he personally prosecuted 111 homicide cases and tried 178 jury trials. His cases have been featured on Dateline, Forensic Files and Oprah. His historical mystery thrillers include The Gold of Cape Girardeau (praised as absorbing courtroom drama by Elmore Leonard) and Bootheel Man (finalist for the 2008 William Rockhill Nelson Award for fiction). His true crime memoir Scoundrels to the Hoosegow was called “engrossing” and “highly recommended” by Vincent Bugliosi. His short story “Hard Blows” in the Mystery Writers of America anthology The Prosecution Rests was singled out by Publisher’s Weekly as “dramatizing the challenges prosecutors encounter.” Although relatively well-liked for a prosecutor, he occasionally found it necessary to wear a bullet-proof vest.