Justice Plays Roulette

Book excerpt: JUSTICE PLAYS ROULETTE: The True Story of Homicide Detective Glenn Ford as Lead Detective on the Case of the Norfolk Four. Glenn Ford was a homicide detective for twenty years. Thanks to hard work, integrity, and a bit of luck, Ford became one of the most successful homicide detectives of his generation but at the end of his thirty-year career in law enforcement, Ford was convicted of extortion. He lost everything-including his freedom-yet to this day Ford maintains his innocence. Ford's story is a cautionary tale about the limits of law enforcement and the criminal justice system which catapulted his life onto a disastrous and unexpected roller coaster ride. Several factors created the perfect storm to unravel Ford's fate. A key thread was the city's most famous homicide, the Case of the Norfolk Four which involved the rape and murder of a beautiful 19-year-old wife of a Navy man while he was at sea; Ford was the lead detective. This account does not contest anyone's guilt or innocence; the courts and the criminal justice system had the final say which Ford accepts. This story simply shares the shocking twists and turns which Ford experienced. AUTHOR STASE MICHAELS worked as an analyst in the police department during many of the events described in this story. As observer and friend of the Ford family, Michaels had access to background details reported in this story. As biographer to Homicide Detective Glenn Ford she communicated regularly with Ford and his family before, during, and after his ordeal. Though scenes are fictionalized for story purposes, the novel is based on facts and conversations of those involved. However, circumstances have changed and people have moved on with their lives. MICHAELS IS THE AUTHOR of eight books; this novel is her ninth. As an analyst in the police department for nine years she wrote policy and carried out research. Michaels has a B.A. in Psychology from McGill University, an M.A. in Psychology from the College of William and Mary, and an M.A. in Transpersonal Studies from Atlantic University. As an expert in dream analysis her books "A LITTLE BIT OF DREAMS" and "NIGHTMARES: THE DARK SIDE OF DREAMS AND DREAMING" are current best sellers. Michaels lived in Virginia; she currently resides in Toronto.