THE THIRTEENTH JUROR

About the Book

THE THIRTEENTH JUROR is based on an actual case, which took place in the south some twenty years ago.  Of course, the location and identities of everyone involved are changed.  Although the facts and events are accurately portrayed, the story has been fictionalized and characters have been added.

Harry Denton is not only the son of a quite wealthy San Antonio businessman, he is like a spoiled brat, even though he has reached adulthood.  In trouble from the time he was a youngster, his father has always gotten him out of every mess in which he found himself.

Harry makes the mistake of confiding in the closest thing he has to a friend that he was driving the truck which killed a young woman in a hit and run death.  But Harry has forgotten he told this same friend he had tried to date Sheryl Rogers but was spurned by the college senior some months before.

As usual, Harry is too drunk to drive himself home, so his pool shooting buddy, Jose Perales, drive´s him home in Harry´s Corvette.  After getting Harry through his front door, Jose drives directly to police headquarters to report what Harry told him about killing Sheryl Rogers.

Eventually, Harry comes to trial for the crime, but is found not guilty partly because of the DAs ineptitude in prosecuting Harry against the well known,high-priced defense lawyer Harry Denton hires.

FBI Agent, Darrell McGrath and San Antonio Homicide Detective, Jim Slater know Harry Denton is the killer of a large number of young women in and around San Antonio, but they have no.  Harry sees the pair as a danger to his well-being, so is determined to get rid of them.

Darrell McGrath´s wife and daughter were killed by a hit and run driver years earlier, so he takes the case against Harry Denton personally.  He has fallen in love with Sheryl Rogers´ mother and, now must protect her against Harry. He has to figure some way to nail him for the other murders.  But, will a vigilante take the law into his own hands before the police can charge Harry with another crime? Can a person dedicated to enforcing the law most of his life disregard the law to ensure his own survival?

About the Author

Bill MacWithey has written many articles and columns on everything from writing to politics. A political advisor and newspaper columnist for 15 years, he conducts fiction writing seminars and teaches creative writing in adult education programs. With fourteen novels in various genres to his credit, Bill MacWithey is one of today’s most prolific authors.