Editorial Content for False Witness

In FALSE WITNESS, Phillip Margolin demonstrates how the justice system doesn’t always get it right, especially when some of the most influential players are corrupt.

Karen Wyatt is an upstanding attorney in Portland, Oregon, staying on the right side of the law and working to expose those who don’t. In fact, that’s what got her arrested, disbarred and thrown into prison. Someone didn’t like the job she was doing. But they picked a fight with the wrong person. Karen wasn’t about to sit around and rot in jail. She spent her time digging until she uncovered evidence that proved her innocence. By the end of her day in court, she walked out a free woman, ready to get her law license restored. Naturally, not everyone is happy about that. She still has enemies among the cops and the DA’s office. Plus, she never discovered who set her up. But that’s at the top of her to-do list now.

"Margolin once again has proven his expertise when it comes to the law and the courtroom. He has penned yet another legal thriller that satisfies on many levels."

Karen opens up a law office and gets to work. At one point, she lands a client whose case seems like an easy win. Jack Blackburn is a down-on-his-luck guy who just needs a break. He might not get off for the auto theft charge, but murder? No way. He was caught driving a rare 2019 Jaguar XJR575 that belonged to a rich guy for whom his friend, Billy, worked. A rich guy who ended up dead. The story he tells the cops when they pull him over sounds fishy. But he swears he knows nothing about the rich guy or any murder. Karen believes him, but her opponent in the DA’s office is out for blood. Oscar Vanderlasky doesn’t really care about Blackburn. It’s Karen he wants to take down. So there’s no way he’s going to be reasonable about this case.

A complication arises when a connection to Lucifer’s Disciples surfaces. Walter Zegda, the motorcycle gang’s leader, is not only brilliant but brutal, which makes for a deadly combination. Even the police don’t want to tangle with Zegda or his guys. There’s a rumor --- almost certainly true --- that Lucifer’s Disciples have a bought-and-paid-for contact inside the DA’s office, and probably more than one police officer is on their payroll. Lucky for Karen, she received a big payout for her wrongful conviction, so she can afford to hire the best in her efforts to dismantle the gang and expose the mole. But will it be enough? When drugs are involved, the stakes skyrocket.

Everyone tiptoes around the gang link, hoping to leave them out of Blackburn’s case. As for witnesses, will Karen need to call Congressman Thomas Horan? He has been highly respected, at least until recently, and has valuable information. But his story about what happened to him during the time he went missing is beyond crazy.

Circumstances and egos collide in FALSE WITNESS. Phillip Margolin’s crusader for justice here has a tough job. Can Karen reveal who’s dirty among the ranks and also save herself? Margolin once again has proven his expertise when it comes to the law and the courtroom. He has penned yet another legal thriller that satisfies on many levels.