Representing a man accused of throwing his wife overboard, chic attorney Lauren Hill begins to artfully present her case. But when Judge Howell seems to morph into God, Lauren’s life of infidelity, poor parenthood, and self-absorption is questioned by the Almighty, who charges Lauren with committing the seven deadly sins. But is this real or fantasy? Is Lauren on the edge of a nervous breakdown, or is God presiding and ultimately deciding Lauren’s fate? InDefense of Guilt is a gripping story of self-discovery, justice, and ultimately about love.

This is a great book for those who love legal thrillers of John Grisham, and Scott Turow.

Praise 'In Defense Of Guilt' by Benjamin H. Berkley

“Through edgy protagonist and defense attorney Lauren Hill, Berkley places us in the midst of a murder trial that could itself be the backbone of an exciting legal thriller – but the metaphysical twist that threatens to change the trial into Hill’s own Judgment Day takes In Defense of Guilt to the next level.”-Christopher Leibig, Author, Almost Mortal (2016 Indie Book Award)

“In Defense or Guilt is a fast-paced legal thriller with a spiritual twist. Benjamin Berkley has crafted a main character who fears no consequences until she goes on trial before the “ultimate arbiter.” She defends her client accused of murder while wrestling with her own demons of infidelity, greed and lust. Is salvation the light at the end of the tunnel? Well written and highly recommended. Congratulations to my fellow colleague for such a masterful first endeavor.”-Melanie Bragg, Author Crosstown Park, an Alex Stockton legal thriller

“With IN DEFENSE OF GUILT, Mr. Berkley has written a compellingly unconventional courtroom drama. This unique and fascinating story keeps the reader guessing from beginning to end, while offering an inspirational message that extends far beyond theguilt or innocence of the accused. A truly enjoyable read.”-John J. Jessop, Author of Deadly Pleasure and the Guardian Angel series

You can find out more about the book and author here: https://www.virtualauthorbooktours.com/in-defense-of-guilt-by-benjamin-h-berkley-on-tour/

Read an Excerpt

Chapter Six

What constitutes a fair trial? It usually depends upon which side you ask. Ask one hundred different individuals, and you will likely get one hundred different responses.

Dillon Bradley simply wanted to see justice carried out. For him, it wasn’t how many checkmarks were in the win column, although that did matter to the voters in November. Grieving parents wanted answers, and he believed they deserved to have them. He also believed he and his team would be able to provide them, or at least a majority of the important ones. A guilty verdict would, in theory, clear most of them.

As flawed as the law could sometimes be, Bradley believed the American justice system was the fairest in the world. Granted, he realized the evidence in the present case was somewhat sketchy; however, he honestly believed he had enough to sway a jury and get a conviction.

For Lauren, on the other hand, it was all about winning. She never took a case based on whether she believed in her client’s innocence. She didn’t take one because she was defending a tarnished honor. That was irrelevant to her. She took it based solely on the evidence provided. If she believed the prosecution would not be able to prove beyond reasonable doubt the accused’s guilt, the system worked. All must, by law, be represented and offered a fair trial, and since that was the case, Lauren Hill gave it everything she had. Getting paid handsomely to do so sweetened the deal.

Lauren saw her performance in court as a game of strategy, a chess match. She dressed the king, the defendant, putting him or her in the best possible light, and then stood like a knight in front of him, defending the accused to the very best of her ability. She had a perfect record to uphold. Was it realistic to think it would remain perfect throughout her entire career? Certainly not. It was her job to put off the inevitable as long as she could. And right or wrong, it was her feeling that she wasn’t going to lose this one, either. But she had to admit her opponent was formidable. Could she beat Bradley yet again?

Bradley crossed the floor, carrying a large timeline graph. He handed it to Osterman to set it up, but not before complimenting the young protégé on the fine job he had done. While Jack set up the chart, Bradley told the court to strike Osterman’s previous question.

Lauren sat tensed, ready to pounce.

Bradley began, “Your Honor, I would like to submit into evidence this chart: a timeline of sunrises and sunsets for the latitudes and longitudes of the week of the fateful cruise, specifically, the last day Mrs. Amanda Maze was seen alive.”

“I will allow. Please, continue.”

Lauren leaned over to Ryan and mockingly mouthed yippee to him. He chuckled. She glanced at Maze. He was still fidgety but silent. Out of the corner of her eye, she could swear God was sitting at the bench giving her a stern look, but when she turned, it was only Judge Howell staring at her, eyebrows raised in stern warning. Lauren sat up and faced forward.

Turning to the deputy security chief, Bradley asked, “Mr. Ross, can you see this chart well enough?”

Ross answered in the affirmative.

“It’s a graph that marks the times of sunrises and sunsets the week of the cruise. The time of the sunrise on the day Mrs. Maze was last seen is in red. Can you see this?”

“Yes.”

“What time does it say the sun rose the morning you spoke to Mr. Maze?”

Squinting, Ross answered, “Six twenty-three.”

“Six twenty-three, yes, thank you. So, it must have been somewhere within forty-five minutes to an hour, at the latest, between the time Mr. Maze, by witness account, left the casino and the time you spoke with him on deck, correct?”

“Yes, I suppose so.”

“And did you ask him to account for the time?”

“Yes, yes, I did.”

“Where did the defendant say he was for that short duration?”

Maze, under his breath, said, “Lost on deck during the fog.”

“He didn’t.”

“He didn’t? What do you mean, he didn’t? He must have said he was somewhere.”

“Just that he was lost on the ship.”

“Lost?” Bradley chuckled. “Isn’t it rather difficult for one to get lost on a ship?”

Everyone—reporters, spectators, lawyers—snickered. All, that is, except the parents of the deceased. Unable to bear the mocking laughter, Maze jumped up.

“It was foggy. I was lost in it trying to find the cabin. I loved my wife. I loved her. You don’t kill what you love!”

Judge Howell stood, furiously banging her gavel, as Ryan practically tackled him.

“ORDER! ORDER IN THE COURT! MR. THOMPSON AND MS. HILL—PLEASE—” Judge Howell paused.

Ryan assertively ushered Maze to the back of the courtroom and the exit. Bradley folded his arms, exceptionally pleased with himself.

“—CONTROL YOUR CLIENT!” Judge Howell bellowed.

“Yes, Your Honor,” Lauren offered.

Amused by the way Ryan was holding onto the back of Maze’s jacket, as if he were throwing outside a dog that had snuck into the house and soiled the carpet, the armed deputies at the rear of the courtroom opened the doors ahead of them. Once Ryan and Maze were outside, the guards, grinning widely, quickly closed the doors. Lauren was now alone and in her comfort zone. For a few moments anyway, she was in her element and could focus her attention solely on the proceedings.

Bradley’s Cheshire cat smile didn’t amuse the judge. “If you’re through grinning, Mr. Prosecutor, you may continue any time you are ready.”

Ryan Thompson was furious with Maze, and as he talked to him in a barely controlled voice, his face was flushed and his forehead wrinkled. Had he not been in a professional setting and his job not depended upon him keeping his cool, Ryan would likely have decked the guy. Maze’s untimely explosion had not only made him look foolish in the eyes of the court and jury, but it had also put the defense team fighting for him in a poor light. Now Lauren was going to have to scramble. Bad enough she was obviously under a great deal of stress as it was. Maze’s only job was to sit quietly and remain composed. If he could not do so on his own, it was up to his defense team to make sure he obeyed all guidelines. Maze’s frustrated tirade had done him no favors. The only things Maze had accomplished were to anger Judge Howell, make the jury believe he was unstable, and give Prosecutor Bradley an upper hand.

“We’ve told you before, you cannot spout off like that. What don’t you understand? The only logical conclusion a jury can make when you pull a stunt like that is you’re uncontrollably angry, a loose cannon. You don’t want them to believe you killed your wife.”

GUEST REVIEW

In Defense of Guilt by Benjamin H. Berkley

Review by Katy

Wow. That's the main thing I have to go with as a takeaway from this novel. Just the word, 'Wow.' A stunning story about a woman's internal war and her relationship with God.

Lauren Hill is an attorney who is defending a client who is accused of throwing his wife overboard his boat and killing her. Lauren is a good attorney, and she's sure she can win the case but she has a lot of inner struggles that present themselves masterfully and thoughtfully on the page.

One day while she is defending her client in court, Lauren has a vision of the judge for the case turning into God. Except, she has to ask herself, is it a vision? Or is it real? It turns out her client can see God in the courtroom, too. Are they both crazy? It isn't long before Lauren's inner struggles are brought to light, all her worst traits are revealed and she is left spiritually naked in the middle of the courtroom.

I can't say that I'm a particularly religious person, but this book moved me in a way no other book ever has before. There is just something about a high-powered, high-paid, ball-bursting female attorney having to confront her own inner demons that spoke to me as a woman in today's society. There seems to be such a disconnect between the business world and the spiritual world these days and this book really investigates that disconnect and artfully raises questions about it.

I loved Lauren as a character and was fascinated by her life even if some of it made me cringe to imagine. I'm definitely giving this five stars. I would recommend this to absolutely anyone that loves an inspiring novel or is just interested in a pretty powerful look at society and womanhood.

From as far back as he can remember, Benjamin Berkley was fascinated by the law. Growing up in Long Beach, New York his daily schedule revolved around grainy black-and-white reruns of Perry Mason who, with the help of Della Street, solved the most complicated of crimes imaginable. It was therefore no surprise to his family and friends that Berkley chose law as his career path, now practicing for over 40 years.

“In Defense of Guilt” is Benjamin Berkley’s second novel. He is also the author of four self-help books and is a contributing writer for the Huffington Post. Berkley lives in southern California with his wife Phyllis and their cat Riley. He has two grown children and is always bragging about his five amazing grandchildren. www.benberkley.com