Killer Excuses

Book excerpt: This is a courtroom-drama collection of some of the most extraordinary defences tried in Australian manslaughter and murder trials. Most people have used ridiculous excuses to avoid punishment, but when it comes to classic excuses one group of people leaves all others for dead - killers. The courts have made up their minds, now it's your turn. 'I was trying to exorcise a demon.' 'I thought he was a deer.' 'We were just having sex - in the sea.' Classic excuses used by killers to try and avoid punishment. Intriguing insights into human behaviour. 'Whydunits' fascinating explanations on why people kill. Author Wayne Howell covered the courts for the Herald Sun newspaper and AAP for ten of his eighteen years in journalism. He is the author of three collections of true crime stories.