Judgment Ridge: The True Story Behind the Dartmouth Murders by Dick LehrMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
The horrifying tale of two teenagers bored with life in a very small town, with attitudes of superiority, who decided to kill to obtain the money to escape to Australia. One, 16 at the time and the follower who cracked when finally caught was sentenced to 25 years. Now eligible for parole, he recently withdrew his request when the outpouring of the community was totally against it and his victims' daughters opposed it. He will be released sometime in 2027 at the age of 41. He has a construction job lined up, I suppose with his father's company. Ironic, considering construction jobs were once beneath him, an artistic musician. The other, 17 at the time, the instigator, the more brutal knife wielder was given life without parole. In light of a recent law forbidding such a sentence for a minor, no matter the severity or horror of the crime, he is due a sentence hearing this month. So far there has been nothing in the local paper. The hearing is not to reduce the sentence from life but rather to consider whether he should have the possibility of parole. One could hope not, especially since his initial behavior, all that has been publicized, indicates no remorse and continued arrogance.
While the tale is horrifying, the book is well written and is as engrossing as any fictional mystery story.
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