Marcia Clark, who many will remember as one of the prosecutors in the OJ Simpson murder trial, examines court transcripts and newspaper accounts regarding the sensationalized home invasion case that led to the execution of Barbara Graham in 1955. The victim was Mabel Monohan, a retired vaudeville performer, rumored to have a large sum money in her home. The often troubled Graham was used as a decoy, pretending to have car trouble to access entrance into Monohan’s house where her male accomplices would force their way through the front door and terrorize the elderly Monohan. In the end, Monohan was gagged and pistol whipped and left for dead, as the robbers escaped without a cent.
Clark unveils the troubled life of Graham, who would enter San Quentin’s gas chamber, executed at age 31, leaving behind three children, Graham was an unwanted child, being abandoned by her mother and ending up in foster homes and reform school. She was often abused and neglected, and turned to shoplifting. She was convicted of misdemeanors, and later, became a felon.
The author discovers the nauseating journalism that was practiced in newspaper accounts of the trial. The media portrayed Graham as a cold, heart harden, lying, scheming lady. The press became smitten with Graham’s looks and appearances, and appeared to have already judged her. Graham’s partners in crime would put the blames squarely on Barbara for killing Mohanan. However, Clark thoroughly examines the evidence and testimony, and comes to her own conclusions and offers an account of what likely happened in Monoham’s home.
As a former prosecutor, I enjoyed Clark’s appraisal of the prosecution during Graham’s trial. She analyses the sleazy and underhanded maneuvers that appeared to seal Graham’s ultimate fate. Clark notes that the prosecutor insisted on the death penalty, as it was possible for Graham to be paroled, which is an unethical remark.
The book details the Graham’s appeals and her final days and moments before execution. Clark explores reports that Graham confessed to the murder while in prison. It is hard to image the jury only spent two hours arriving at their guilty verdict, and recommending the death penalty.
I found “Trial by Ambush” riveting and compelling. I want to thank Brilliance Audio and Netgalley for the opportunity to review Ms. Clark’s new book.
By: Marcia Clark
Narrated by: Marcia Clark
Length: 9 hrs and 35 mins
Release date: 12-01-24
Publisher: Brilliance Audio