Lori St John - The Corruption of Innocence. A Journey for Justice

TO THE READER

This is a work of non-fiction. All the characters and events depicted in this book are real.

The material is derived from my three-plus years investigation of a death penalty case, which includes the reading of a voluminous trial and post-conviction record, estimated at over 156,000 pages. It also stems from the relationship I developed with Joseph ODells post-conviction law firm, as both an investigator and consultant. Other sources of information include interviews with witnesses and jurors, and information obtained through personal knowledge and discussions with Joseph ODell and the lawyers. Referenced in this book are materials that I offer you on my web site, www.loristjohn.com , where I share a variety of never before seen documents and numerous media related materials including TV, radio, video and print articles depicting the wide and international coverage this story received.

Lori St John

A JOURNEY FOR JUSTICE

LORI ST JOHN

Copyright 2013 by Creative Production Services, Inc.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be use or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without prior written consent of the author except as provided by the United States of America copyright law.

Printed in the United States of America

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Creative Production Services, Inc.

The Corruption of Innocence, a Journey for Justice / Creative
Production Services, Inc.

ISBN 978-0-9890401-2-9 (hardcover)

Editing by Ann Fisher
Proofreading by Hilary Westwood
Cover Design by Marc J Cohen
Text Design and composition by Marc J Cohen

To place orders
Email:info@loristjohn.com or visit www.loristjohn.com

Book Discounts for bulk sales are available.

Visit www.loristjohn.com for comprehensive material related to The Corruption of Innocence, including photographs, documents and media related articles, TV, radio and YouTube videos

First Edition

For my darling daughter Jennifer, and to the memory of her father, Dr. Walter Urs

A powerful and compelling true story. The Corruption of Innocence takes the reader on an insiders journeya rare telescopic viewof an egregious miscarriage of justice. Lori St Johns intense commitment to shine a light on a compromised legal system portrays a Herculean effort to discover and share the truth in the death penalty case of a man, Joseph ODell, whom she believes to be innocent. And after you descend into the labyrinth of injustices that happen to this man in court after court, Im willing to wager youll think him innocent, too.

The story reads like a thrillera race against the clock. But time is not on Loris side. The setbacks and constant sabotaging of her efforts keeps narrowing the window of time that is needed to prove ODells innocence. The suspense never lets up, and because there are so many twists and turns, it continues to keep the reader riveted to the unfolding story.

I was privileged to work with Lori and to witness her dedication as she led a fearless fight for justice. It is an inspiring and remarkable story of the power of one persons ability to make a difference and a tragic indictment of a flawed and callous court system.

Sister Helen Prejean, csj

Author of the book Dead Man Walking

As the daughter of a state Attorney General and wife of a prominent orthopedic surgeon, I would have been aghast at the suggestion that one day I would marry a death row inmate on the day of his execution. But here I am in the death house standing in a circle holding hands with a nun, a minister and Joseph Roger ODell III. On the other side of the world, gathered in the town square of Palermo, Italy, parliamentarians watch by satellite broadcast, surrounded by Secret Service men with dark visors shielding the sun from their eyes, while mine have been seared by the horror of what has led to this day. I am hereI know because cameras are everywhere and the marriage is being broadcast around the world, yet I am numb, almost paralyzed from having witnessed and participated in the ceremonial preparation for his death.