MURDER ON BIRCHLEAF DRIVE
The True Story
of the
Michelle Young
Murder Case
A compelling and accurate descriptionof a fascinating murder case, from the initial investigation through the twistsand turns of two trials, and all the strategic decisions in between. Oneof the best true crime books I have read. Veryentertaining.
David S. Rudolf, defense attorney for MichaelPeterson, featured in the Netflix series TheStaircase
Psychological thriller meets true crime story at itsbest! MURDER ON BIRCHLEAF DRIVE is a riveting accountof what, at first blush, appears to be a boy-meets-girl romancebut ends in bloody horror. Epstein brilliantly details the unravelingof the couples relationship and eloquently captures the legaldetails, making the most complicated aspects of the murder case completelyunderstandable. Prepare yourself for an intense, heart-pounding read!
Dr. Jean G. Spaulding, Forensic Psychiatrist andAssociate Consulting Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University
Anamazing first book by a talented new author,MURDER ON BIRCHLEAF DRIVE drops the reader into the complex web and dark beautyof the criminal justice system. Epstein skillfully recounts a chillingtale of human emotion, betrayal, and calculated murder. Thisstory cannot be matched by the best of crimefictionits power unleashed by the haunting reality of truth. I hope this isthe first book among many for this gifted author.
Joseph B. Cheshire, V, criminal defense attorneywhose successful representation of Duke University lacrosseplayers falsely accused of sexual assault received national attention andacclaim
Steve Epsteins debut effort is anoutstanding achievement in true crime writing . Aseasoned trial attorney in his own right, he skillfully brings thisheartbreaking case to life with a detailed accounting of both the crime and thecomplex legal battles that followed, while helping us get to know the manyindividuals impacted by the tragic murder of Michelle Fisher Young. Thisis a must-read for anyone interested in seeing our criminal justice system atwork.
Hon.Barbara Jackson, Associate Justice, North CarolinaSupreme Court, 2011-2019; Judge, North Carolina Court of Appeals, 2005-2011
This fascinating and well-told story of a North Carolinamurder and the trials that followed has more twists and turns than the road toMurphy. Clear your schedule and settle down for a long evening with someof the states best trial attorneys. I enjoyed the daylights out of it.
Hon.Robert H. Edmunds, Jr., Associate Justice, North Carolina Supreme Court,2001-2017; Judge, North Carolina Court of Appeals, 1999-2001; U.S. Attorney,Middle District of North Carolina, 1986-1993
MURDER ON BIRCHLEAF DRIVE is a gripping story that captures the true essence of a bizarre who done it murder investigationand prosecution, with remarkable insights and thoughtful analysis. Thebook provides an unvarnished look behind the curtain at how the criminal justicesystem really works. Epstein has skillfully fleshed out the charactersinvolved and courtroom theatrics. Agreat read, and a must- read , for those who arefascinated with the drama of real lifeits even better than fiction.
Colon Willoughby, DistrictAttorney of Wake County, North Carolina, 1987-2014
Some heinous crimes, like premeditated murder, are relatively easy tosolve due to damning physical evidence and direct witnesstestimony. Others, like the one Steven B. Epstein details in hiscaptivating book, MURDER ON BIRCHLEAF DRIVE, are anythingbut simple . The solution to such crimes, resulting injustice for the victim, comes only through unwavering witnesses, dedicated lawenforcement efforts, and well-prepared prosecutors This book documents,accurately, the work it takes to make circumstantial evidencepersuasive. As such it should make the reader appreciate the tenacitythose involved in criminal prosecution must display if justice is to truly bedone on behalf of victims. An excellent book ,and I recommend it highly.
Jerry Boyd, Coronado,California Police Chief (ret.); author of multiple books including FIRESTONEPARK: POLICING SOUTH-CENTRAL LOS ANGELES and MY YEARS AS A CHIEF
Reading MURDER ON BIRCHLEAF DRIVE is like being at the scene of the crime and inside the well of the courtroom during every moment of one of North Carolinas mostnotorious murder trials. Epstein does an exceptional job with the challenging task of describing how it feels to be there as lawenforcement cracks a case and when great lawyers go to battle.
Ripley Rand, U.S. Attorney,Middle District of North Carolina, 2011-2017; Superior Court Judge, 2002-2010
There is no way to put down this book! Once you begin, it draws you in right from the start. I felt as though MichelleYoung could have been my very own sister. Many times I forgot I was reading abook; it is so difficult to fathom this being a true story.
Stacie Overman, co-star of SyFys GhostMine, author of ANGEL KISSES: NO MORE CANCER
MURDERON BIRCHLEAF DRIVE
Copyright 2019 by Steven B. Epstein
Allrights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any way byany means without the written permission of the publisher, except in the caseof brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
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ISBN:978-1-934912-86-7
Libraryof Congress Control Number: 2019936659
Publishedand printed in the United States of America.
Inloving memory of Morris Goldsteinmy Papawho instilled in me a passion forwriting and who taught me good writing is the result of hard work. I hope thepages that follow live up to his example.
Part I
Murder
Friday, November 3, 2006
12:14 p.m.
T heincessant ringing of her cell phone woke Meredith Fisher from a deep sleep.Slowly, she crawled out of bed and stumbled to the bathroom to brush her teeth.She set her phone on the counter and began listening to the voicemail,instantly recognizing the familiar voice of her brother-in-law, Jason Young.
Strange, she thought. In the fouryears she had known her sister Michelles impetuous husband, she couldntrecall a single time he had called her twice in a week, let alone onconsecutive days.
Jason, who grew up in the North Carolinamountains, had been married to Michelle, a native New Yorker, for just overthree years. She was a talented accountant and dedicated mother to the couplestwo-year-old daughter, Cassidy. Though he was a relatively successful salesmanand devoted father, Jason often drank and partied like an impulsive collegestudent. That didnt sit particularly well with Michelle, a meticulous plannerwho charted out every aspect of her life.
Their roller-coaster relationship hadturned especially sour over the last few months. Meredith, three years youngerthan Michelle and a manager at the Lucky 32 restaurant, knew the couplesdifferences well. After their most recent fight on November 1, Michelle hadcalled her sister in frustration to tell her Jason had thrown a TV remote ather.
Im done. I just cant do thisanymore, Michelle whimpered despondently.
Jason had left a voicemail for Merediththe following morning, after she had begun her shift at Lucky 32. He hadoverheard Michelle telling Meredith about the TV remote, he said. He vehementlydenied her account, telling his sister-in-law Michelle was just being dramatic.He implored her to call him back.