ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

By a long shot, the best part of writing nonfiction is the pleasure of meeting so many terrific people while researching the subject. Ranking in very close second place are the amazing coincidences that leave me dumbstruck. Some of them seem to prove the “six degrees of separation” theory. Two remarkable incidents came up in this case.

I sat outside a Starbucks with Joji Yoshiyama, asking him all about Ann and his family history. He spoke of his experiences during World War II as an “internee,” then mentioned that his best friend in the Colorado camp was a kid named Eddy Tanaka, who later became the director of Public Welfare in Los Angeles County. It blew me away.

Ed Tanaka and I had been classmates, among only twenty-eight seniors, at Courtland High School, a few miles down the Sacramento River from California’s capital city. I e-mailed Ed and told him of meeting Joji. They subsequently got together for lunch, seeing one another for the first time in six decades.

Digging into Beth Silverman’s background, I learned that she had grown up in Westlake Village, the daughter of a prominent physician. At Christmas I visited in-laws who also live in the large community, and asked if any of them knew a Dr. Silverman. Yes. He had delivered several children in the room, including my niece and nephew, twins, who would soon celebrate their fifth birthday. By sheer happenstance, Beth and her father later showed up at their birthday party. I love it!

The list of marvelous new friends I made on this project includes Emi and Jerry Ryan, who welcomed Ron Bowers and me into their beautiful Mesa, Arizona, home. They patiently allowed us to drag them through those painful years, answered all of our questions and provided us with numerous photos depicting the history of Emi’s family. Emi is one of my favorite people ever, and Jerry is the perfect mate for her. Joji, also personable and accommodating, came up with even more great photos.

Bowers and I visited the charming Dee Ann Wood in her home. She, too, provided pictures and guided us on a driving tour of the key sites where this story unfolded.

Barbara Kaplan, the juror who believed her service on the panel had been preordained, gave me a fascinating interview. Juror Georgette Adams also volunteered to help me.

Joann Racz, one of the bravest young women it’s been my pleasure to meet, cheerfully took me through her bittersweet memories.

I was honored with an invitation to the April 22, 2008, memorial for Ann, and attended the ceremony/luncheon, along with Ron Bowers. Afterward, he and I drove Bob Russell to the Burbank Airport for his return flight home. Bob spoke frankly to us of his relationship with Ann, his fear for many months that John Racz might want to kill him, and his hopes of redemption for Ann’s family. He is truly a nice guy, one of the many it was my pleasure to meet during this entire project.

In the courthouse, I had the great fortune of chatting informally with Judge Ronald Coen (not about the case), Louis Danoff, Frank Salerno, Dee Scott, Cheryl Comstock, and Philip Israels. I also met several of the Elizabeth circle members, including Judy Carter. Plus I got a great big hug from Beth Silverman.

After Emi Ryan delivered her talk at that hearing, which had half the crowd in tears, I saw court reporter Barbara Reed drying her eyes, asking Emi for a copy of the speech. Barbara hadn’t been able to transcribe it completely because she’d been sobbing while Emi spoke. I knew right then that I really liked Barbara.

In court records research, I had the generous help of Carol Klimer and Carla Price.

Photographer Gregory Bojorquez snapped that classic portrait of the defendant sitting at the defense table.

 

 

As the reader knows, I had a brief chat and handshake with John Racz.

I am often asked if I interview the perpetrators. I have interviewed several (after adjudication), and I’ve sent letters to most of the killers inviting them to tell their sides of the stories. The great majority write back, saying their appeals attorneys advise them to keep their mouths shut. John Racz did not give me the courtesy of a reply. I suspect he was influenced by a legal advice.

 

—Don Lasseter, 2008.

 

 

Los Angeles district attorney Steve Cooley has provided the leadership, with his able chief deputy John K. Spillane, to tackle difficult “no-body” prosecutions. I have the greatest respect for Assistant DA Curt Hazell for his willingness to take on the toughest of cases, knowing they will be time-consuming and full of risks.

I think my admiration of Beth Silverman is clearly manifested in this book. She understands the importance of being well prepared while simultaneously recognizing the usefulness of technology to better present her case to jurors. Although Beth is a fast talker, she possesses the capacity to listen to suggestions and is always interested in improving her legal skills. She has blossomed into one of the elite, highly skilled trial lawyers in the DA’s office. I would like to take credit for her success, since I originally hired her to work for the office, but I recognize that her achievement is due to her talent and hard work.

 

—Ronald Bowers