John P. Contini - Danger Road. A True Crime Story of Murder and Redemption

DANGER ROAD

Author's Web Sites

www.JPContini.com

www.DangerRoadTheBook.com

Individual copies: 1.800.957.6476

DANGER ROAD

A true crime story
of murder and
redemption

By John P. Contini

DANGER ROAD

A true crime story
of murder and
redemption

By John P. Contini

Danger Road copyright 2006 John P. Contini

All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner (except for reprints in the context of reviews) without written permission from John P. Contini. For information, write to John P. Contini & Associates, P.A. 1975 East Sunrise Boulevard, Suite 701, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33304

Printed in the United States of America
First Edition: May 2006
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2

ISBN 0-9773174-0-4
ISBN 978-0-9773174-0-0

Cover design by Jeff Tidwell

Danger Road is distributed
by Bookworld Companies.

This book is based on the trial of Gilbert Fernandez, Jr. on charges of first-degree murder. The testimony and dialogue have been abbreviated and modified where necessary to consolidate timeframes and events, allowing for improved content flow. Where possible, testimony was reprinted verbatim from archived trial transcripts. Additionally, many of the events described are based on police reports, trial transcripts, newspaper articles, and the recollections and perceptions of the author, John P. Contini.

These recollections and perceptions have further been buttressed by recent interviews with former Fernandez case prosecutors Jim Lewis and Cindy Imperato; former court personnel members Mike Ruvolo, Denise Hughes and Beth Kessler; and trial spectators, including Reverend Dave Blood and Dr. Bill Kelly. Their comments have been reprinted verbatim in some instances and paraphrased in others, and there have been modifications made for space and esthetic reasons. In some cases, names have been changed to protect privacy. These alterations have caused no material changes to any aspect of this true crime story.

DANGER ROAD rips the curtain off a high profile murder case that has the highest stakes possible: life or death. Then it takes you into the bowels of the justice system and on this journey you go from the darkest, coldest heart to the crowning glory of the human condition. DANGER ROAD is a searing and scintillating gawk at the truth about our legal system and ourselves.

John Contini proves that when you fight monsters you don't have to become a monsteryou can become a man of God.

Howard Finkelstein
Broward County Public Defender
Help Me Howard Television Segment

John's work goes beyond just being another true crime book: It is a riveting morality treatise affording extraordinary insight into a homicide's rippling effects not only on the immediate participants, but on all who are touched by the ongoing waves of its horroryet revealing hope that a measure of good can spring out of even the machinations of evil.

Brian Cavanagh
Chief of Homicide
Office of the Broward State Attorney

DANGER ROAD by John Contini is a great work of art which provides insight into the trial of a death penalty case.

Every lawyer and judge should obtain a copy of this brilliant book by a veteran attorney.

Alan H. Schreiber
The elected Public Defender
of Broward County from 1976-2004

A must read about Fort Lauderdale's Cocaine Cowboy era, rogue cops and ambitious young prosecutors cutting deals with evil to obtain a conviction. Tonight, read about a real life criminal defense attorney, who actually slugs it out in the courtroom, instead of listening to the television talking head lawyers, the second-guessers, who have never tried a death penalty case.

H. Dohn Williams Jr.
Attorney at Law and a brother in Law

John Contini's new book is a great read for lawyer and non lawyer alike. It is fast paced, dramatic and real. He will become the John Grisham of real courtroom suspense writing.

Bob Stone
Attorney at Law

DANGER ROAD is a must read for an attorney or anyone interested in the law. This book shows how our legal system really works.

James Facciolo III
Attorney at Law
Professor of Behavioral Science and Legal Studies
Nova Southeastern University

As a trial attorney, I have precious little time to read for pleasure. However, I recently picked up a copy of John Contini's DANGER ROAD and could not put it down. I read it in one day. The story is compelling, as are the characters. The book reads like a movie, so you feel like you are a part of the actual courtroom drama.

Reed Tolber
Attorney at Law

John Contini has written a fascinating true crime book of one of the most high profile murder cases in Broward County history. In addition, he has managed to superbly display the psychology behind the tense moments in the courtroom with his frank disclosure of his own insightful self-talk during that time. It is as honest as it gets and I was not able to put the book downand I already knew the ending!

Dr. Michael Brannon
Forensic Psychologist

Wow!! I just finished DANGER ROAD. I could not put it down

Stephanie O'Neal
Christian Television Network

Reading DANGER ROAD made me feel like I was actually inside the investigation, the courtroom and the minds of the people involved in the crime.

Anita Mitchell
Senior Editor
Liberty Press Publishing

I see inmate Gil Fernandez on a regular basis. Other inmates respect him, prison guards respect him. We are spiritual brothers, me on the outside, Gil on the inside. Gil is so powerful that the other inmates give him their precious phone minutes so that he can comfort others. Gil is a man of God, he never wavers.

Minister Gerry James
Prison Minister, Kairos
Florida State Prison
Starke, Florida

I had the privilege of meeting with John Contini for lunch and got his book, DANGER ROAD. He took the time to write such a nice message and signed it. What a great guy. Just took a trip and read his book. I could not put the book down. I enjoy true stories and enjoyed the book very much. Mr. Contini is quite the writer with great expression!

Kerry Avila

A very powerful story of trial, tribulation and redemption. I am filled with awe at the prospect of meeting John Contini when he speaks at the University. He is a person of such strong spiritual conviction.

Dr. Ed Aqua
Director of Lifelong Learning
Nova Southeastern University

I thoroughly enjoyed John's book, DANGER ROAD. I had worked with Judge Tyson for many years and John described his temperament and personality perfectly. Having been a criminal attorney, both prosecutor and defense attorney for a combined 16 years it was truly enjoyable to be in trial again. John's book encourages you to feel you are a part of the case, whichever side you choose. John writes so passionately that you cannot put this book down!

Melinda (Mindy) Brown

Lawyer's true-life crime tale a sizzler. A book about the 1991 trial of an ex-policeman and bodybuilder accused of killing three men in the Everglades has become a must-read at the Broward County Courthouse.