Not Just Another Killing in Oakland

Book excerpt: Evan Meisner thought he had a lot of life ahead of him at twenty-two. Instead, he became one of the 103 people murdered in Oakland, California, in 2011. Not Just Another Killing in Oakland is an intriguing blow-by-blow account of People v. Gadlin. From jury selection to the final verdict and sentencing, David H. Fleisig writes with meticulous detail about the events that led to the murder of Evan Meisner, the arrest of the main suspect, and the trial that followed. As a juror and civil trial lawyer, Fleisig offers a unique perspective of what happened in and out of the courtroom and why the jury found no reasonable doubt Gadlin was guilty of the murder. As a father and lawyer, Fleisig goes beyond alibis and trial testimony to explore what lies at the heart of any murder-the shattering of the victim's life and the impact it had on the lives of those he left behind. This book provides insight into what the district attorney, public defender, lead detective, key witnesses, and Evan's family did before and during the trial and their reactions to the outcome. After reading this book you will have an understanding of how the criminal justice system worked, including how the jury's deliberations lead to its verdict.