Death Over a Diamond Stud: The Assassination of the Orleans Parish District Attorney

by Christopher Pena

Overview

The gripping true story of the first judicial murder of the 20th century is delivered in stunning detail, from the crooks and crevices of the city streets and courthouses, to the very fibers of the hangman's noose. The murder of the newly elected District Attorney J. Ward Gurley sent shock waves through the city of New Orleans not only because of the brutal and brazen nature of the killing, but because the suspect's name had previously been in the city newspapers. The journey of Lewis Lyons from working family man to the cold-blooded killer of his own attorney is a heartbreaking saga that begins with a tragic miscarriage of justice concerning a stolen diamond stud.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781455624164
Publisher:	Arcadia Publishing SC
Publication date:	10/19/2018
Pages:	224
Sales rank:	1,162,062
Product dimensions:	5.80(w) x 9.10(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Native New Orleanian Christopher G. Peña is a writer and researcher. One of the foremost historians of Southeast Louisiana Civil War History, he has published several books on Louisiana history and written numerous essays and articles. Peña earned his history degree from Nicholls State University, where he also taught for several decades. He lives with his family in Knoxville, Tennessee..

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments 9

Chapter 1 Execution Day 13

Chapter 2 The Diamond Stud 31

Chapter 3 Justice Denied 43

Chapter 4 The Assassination 53

Chapter 5 At Charity 67

Chapter 6 Arraignment and Representation 81

Chapter 7 The Joys of Convalescence 89

Chapter 8 A Tedious Process 97

Chapter 9 It Begins 109

Chapter 10 The Defense 119

Chapter 11 Their Expert Witness 133

Chapter 12 The Verdict 143

Chapter 13 His Sentencing and Unforeseen Brothers 155

Chapter 14 Awaiting Death 167

Chapter 15 The Doomed Tower 183

Epilogue In Memoriam 193

Bibliography 217

Index 220