Murder of Angela Mischelle Lawless, The: An Honest Sheriff and the Exoneration of an Innocent Man

Murder of Angela Mischelle Lawless, The: An Honest Sheriff and the Exoneration of an Innocent Man

In a small Missouri town in 1992, the body of 19-year-old Mischelle Lawless was found in her car, stalled on the side of a road. 18-year-old Josh Kezer was arrested and charged for her murder—even though he was in a different state at the time, as proven by witnesses—and spent the next 16 years of his life in prison. How was Josh imprisoned for a crime he didn’t commit? Author Stephen R. Snodgrass expertly unveils the web of manipulation and corruption that led to Josh’s conviction. Everything that could go wrong in the American criminal justice system did, from witnesses who were coached by law enforcement to lie, to withheld exculpatory evidence, and an unscrupulous prosecutor knowingly using false, recanted testimony. Snodgrass draws on interviews with Josh himself, the research of Sheriff Rick Walter, the first responder to the scene, and his own legal analysis, to reveal the truth behind the case, the conviction, and the exoneration. This book is a timely, compassionate work of true crime that calls for better and more equitable justice for all. “In 1992 Missouri, 18-year-old Kezer was arrested for the murder of teenager Angela Mischelle Lawless. Despite Kezer and Lawless being unacquainted and multiple witnesses attesting to him being several hundred miles away during the homicide, Kezer was convicted of Lawless' murder. He remained in jail until his conviction was overturned in 2009. The Murder of Angela Mischelle Lawless elevates the true-crime genre by including Kezer as an author alongside lawyer Snodgrass, a member of the legal team that overturned Kezer's conviction. Kezer's recounting of a turbulent upbringing and the devastation of a murder conviction add a deeply shattering tenor to Snodgrass' expert legal perspective. Snodgrass shows how inaccurate eyewitness testimony, irresponsible prosecution and law enforcement, and neglectful legal representation led to an innocent man's conviction and a murder remaining unsolved. The authors then share how the honesty and steadfastness of Kezer's supporters and legal team, along with Kezer's own dedication, allowed him to reclaim his innocence. Readers of legal true crime, along with those interested in criminal-justice reform, will appreciate Kezer's deeply moving account and Snodgrass' thorough legal exploration.” ― Booklist “The 1992 case of a gang member, Joshua Kezer, wrongly convicted of murdering a young woman in southeast Missouri, is examined in this work. The author Snodgrass, a civil litigation attorney, was brought in to aid Kezer's defense after a woman involved with a prison ministry reached out to friends. The book illustrates how pressure to find the killer of a young woman, understaffed rural police, and political ambition all led to the conviction of an innocent man. Snodgrass indicates that the defendant was framed by jailhouse informants seeking leniency for themselves, and the prosecutor knowingly used their false testimony. Furthermore, despite no connection to the victim, no physical evidence, and no proof that he was even in the state at the time, he was found guilty and imprisoned for 16 years. That's when a part-time deputy who had investigated the murder scene was elected sheriff. He reopened the case and is still searching for the murderer. A state court judge freed Kezer. The book notes what he and the lawyers are doing now. True crime readers will likely appreciate this detailed examination of a flawed case.” ― Library Journal “Josh Kezer's story is yet another tragic account of our failed criminal justice system and further proof that anyone can be wrongfully convicted. Josh was the victim of fabricated testimony by individuals, but more importantly he was the victim of a system that allows such testimony to be used by the government to convict the innocent. There is much to learn from Josh's story and much to do to stop it from happening again.” ―Justin Brooks, Director, California Innocence Project, Director, Latin American Institute of Law and Justice, California Western School of Law, Author of You Might Go to Prison, Even Though You're Innocent “The Murder of Angela Mischelle Lawless is a detailed account of the people, events, and murder trial that captivated a small town in Southeastern Missouri. As a volunteer in corrections in the Chapel at the Missouri State Penitentiary and later Jefferson City Correctional Center, I became familiar with Joshua Kezer's case. Joshua was and remains a complex but compassionate person, always seeking the “why” of any situation. He continues his fight for justice. Our friendship has continued and deepened since Joshua's exoneration. His faith remains his greatest asset. Details not previously known are revealed and will leave the reader with a better understanding of the judicial system: the good, bad, and ugly. Heartbreaking and intriguing, it's a must-read and riveting account for crime story enthusiasts and the general reader alike.” ―James Jackson, former pastor at the Mis