Fatal Flaw: A True Story of Malice and Murder in a Small Southern Town - Hardcover

On Christmas eve, 1975, in Wintergarten, Florida, Tommy Ziegler's wife Eunice, her parents, and a customer were murdered in Ziegler's furniture store. Ziegler himself was shot in the stomach but survived the wound. Two witnesses strongly implicated Ziegler in the murders, and a half million dollars in insurance on his wife seemed to provide a strong motive. The case against Ziegler seemed overwhelming, and, despite some confusing forensic evidence, he was convicted and sentenced to die. Numerous appeals delayed the execution, but, when this book was finished, his time appeared to be running out. Finch does a superb job of analyzing and attacking the prosecution's case, showing that it was riddled with errors, that the police investigation was botched, that the forensic evidence was inconclusive, and that the testimony provided by a key witness essentially proved Ziegler's innocence. But Finch is less successful at drawing a convincing picture of Ziegler himself. Whether or not one is totally convinced by Finch's closely reasoned arguments, he succeeds admirably in raising questions that need to be answered. Highly recommended for all popular collections.
- Ben Harrison, East Orange P.L., N.J.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Winter Garden, Fla., although near Orlando, the home of Disney World, is a small southern community. In 1975 one of the largest businesses in town was the Ziegler furniture store, run by Tommy Ziegler with the aid of his parents, who had founded it. In that store on Christmas Eve, four persons were killed: Tommy's wife, his parents-in-law and a worker. Although wounded by a bullet to the abdomen, Tommy was arrested for the killings. He was convicted of the murders when the single juror who thought him innocent buckled under the pressure of being the lone holdout, according to Finch ( Sugarland ). And, although the jury recommended life imprisonment, the judge handed down a death sentence. Tommy has been on Death Row in Florida for 17 years. With extensive reference to courtroom testimony, Finch argues convincingly for Ziegler's innocence by suggesting that he interrupted a crime in progress at the store and was subsequently framed for the killings. Photos not seen by PW.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.