They already had fame and wealth, but murder made them notorious. Here, author Gini Graham Scott reexamines some of the most high-profile crimes of the century, committed by America's most prominent public figures. She also examines how a number of these privileged men and women wielded their influence and power, exploited their good looks and deceptive personas, and used their vast fortunes to escape punishment for their crimes. Some of these names are still in the news today; some of their stories have even become films. Among the well-known names are Michael Skakel, Lizzie Borden, Claus von Bulow, and John du Pont, most recently featured in Foxcatcher, a nominee and winner for numerous film awards in 2014. Besides featuring the stories of the fascinating accused and sometimes convicted killers, the book provides a compelling look at the relationship between money, celebrity and justice in America.
