Presenting 16 famous criminal cases from Fresno California at the turn
of the 20th century, this gripping history brings fascinating tales of
murder and mayhem to light. Introducing a blend of memorable and tragic
figures, such as the ""Old Broom Man"" or the ""Black Widow,"" a
longtime detective of the Fresno sheriff's office shares his notes on
each filed occurrence. Detailed and historically accurate, an entire
chapter highlights the men who were put to death under the state of
California's justice apparatus. Comparing and contrasting these
sensational past events to the current high-profile criminal cases, this
informed analysis reveals a modern upswing in child abuse, multiple
murders, and kidnapping cases and highlights the extended nature of the
current legal process as compared to the open-and-shut character of the
early 1900s.