While Innocents Slept: A Story of Revenge, Murder, and SIDS

While Innocents Slept: A Story of Revenge, Murder, and SIDS by Adrian Havill

This book is poorly researched, disorganized, and a difficult read. The author also seems to be biased toward the killer, and in fact, obtained most of his information from the killer and his starry-eyed, fourth wife. Havill does not appear to think highly of women; the victim, Ms. Anastasi, has traveled the world, holds a master's degree and currently works for NASA. Havill describes her as an overweight, bleached blonde. (incidentally, she is an attractive, natural blonde who happens to be in her forties). The trial judge, Ann Harrington, was one of the first women prosecutors in the State of Maryland, and is considered a brilliant, fair jurist. Her convictions are rarely, if ever, overturned on appeal. Havill describes Judge Harrington only in terms of her daily choice of jewelry and makeup, and mentions that she is a former beauty queen.
Havill's "research" is flawed because he presents only one view; that from the killer and this then-current family and few friends. The lawyers and witnesses in the case were not free to discuss the case while it was pending, and thus a mountain of information (evidence that was not admitted at trial) was never revealed. If Havill had not been in such a hurry to publish, his account could have been much more informative and accurate. I know; I am one of the figures in the investigation.