Describe your book in one sentence.

“Decades of Doubt” is about murder, yes, but it’s also about trying to discover the true nature of the crime instead of what the police simply wanted to believe happened.

What made you want to share your story and write this book?

The trial of Michael Ferreira has been the most notorious murder trial of my career; when the people at Waldorf Publishing approached me about writing a book about it, I thought it was a great idea.

Did your research for this book lead you into any other interesting discoveries?

As my co-author, John Turner, and I dug into the case to determine how (and why) the case would make a good story, I realized just how many twists and turns it had. I still stand by my beliefs about who actually committed the crime, but I also realize the possibilities are numerous.

What resources or tools did you find useful in writing this book?

There were over 2,000 pages of discovery materials from the murder trial. Luckily, we had digital copies of everything, so I sent it all to my co-writer, and we were able to together decide how to turn all that information into an engaging story.

How long did it take you, beginning of research to final product, to complete this book?

About a year, all told.

What do you want people to take away from reading this book?

The idea that thoroughness makes a difference. I did put everything in my power to represent my client. And I don’t think the authorities–well, certain individuals, anyway–did the same, which is why this whole case turned out like it did.

How did you become involved with the subject or theme of your book?

I spent about a year and a half preparing for the Ferreira trial, so while writing the book I knew pretty much everything there was to know about John McCabe’s murder.

Why did you choose to write in your particular field or genre?

As a defense attorney who has defended numerous murder suspects, it was natural.

 

What was the hardest part of writing this book?

Probably it was sifting through all the materials to figure out the best way to tell the story.

What did you enjoy most about writing this book?

Re-examining this case was fascinating. There was just so much to it! When I looked over all the materials to prepare for my interviews with my co-writer, I was able to see it all from a new perspective, and doing so was really interesting.

What question do you wish that someone would ask about your book, but nobody has? Write it out here, then answer it.

Q: “Why are you a defense attorney in the first place?”

A: Two reasons: one, what I do is an important part of the legal system. It’s my job to make sure my client’s rights are preserved, and that he or she receives a fair trial. And two, criminal work is never boring. Criminal cases are like snowflakes–no two are the same.

What advice would you give to writers just starting out?

In my job as an attorney, being thorough really makes a difference. So I think it’s helpful for writers to know as much as they can about what they’re writing about.

 

Eric Wilson was born and raised in Nashua, New Hampshire. After first serving in the
United States Marine Corps, Eric began his legal career in 1992 as a trial associate working for a Nashua law firm. He focused and excelled in his new career as a criminal defense and litigation attorney. During that time he tried many cases for clients being charged with an
array of crimes from murder, negligent homicide to other major felony matters. In 1998 he became partner in his own law firm, Wilson, Bush, Durkin & Keefe. Through the years, Eric has represented thousands of clients after they have been arrested for a variety of offenses. He has also successfully obtained precedent-setting decisions in the New Hampshire Supreme Court. Eric is a prominent attorney in the area and due to his expertise he has lectured other attorneys on aspects of criminal defense litigation.  

When he is not busy with work, Eric enjoys spending time with his wife and two children. He is also an avid New England sports fan, enjoys coaching baseball and relaxing at the beach.

 

“Decades of Doubt: the John McCabe Murder Saga”

by Eric Wilson

ISBN: 978-1-94327-536-6

TRUE CRIME / Murder / General

Release Date: August–15-2016

A handsome, high-profile and tenacious defense attorney. Three elusive suspects. An investigation that stretches across four decades. And two frenetic murder trials. Decades of Doubt: the John McCabe Murder Saga is a gripping true-life mystery that follows the case of a 15-year-old boy bound and strangled in Massachusetts in 1969, the ensuing investigation that continues for over forty years, and the shocking events of the resulting trials.

As defense counsel for one of three men charged with the crime, New Hampshire attorney Eric Wilson undermines the State’s evidence, destroys the credibility of the prosecution’s star witness, and overcomes insurmountable odds in an attempt to bankrupt the prosecution’s case. And even before the verdict is rendered, Wilson again raises the question to which readers will beg for an answer: who really killed John McCabe?

This book is inspired by a CBS 48 Hours Murder Mystery.