O'Ryan's Law
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Lake O'Neill had a special enchantment that warm September night in 1964. Chrissy Long had just become engaged to David Hall, a Naval R.O.T.C. midshipman. David was winding up a summer cruise as a Marine Corps option candidate at Camp Pendleton, California, a sprawling Marine base housing some thirty five thousand Marines. The base seemed far removed from the deadly training for war that was served daily over terrain covering almost twenty miles north and south a few miles above San Diego, and some twenty miles east and west at its widest point stretching from the greatest beaches in California to the boundaries of the Cleveland National Forest. For Chrissy Long Camp Pendleton wasn't just a Marine base that special night. It was the most romantic spot on earth. David had asked Chrissy to be his wife over dinner at the Del Mar Officer's club two hours earlier. Lake O'Neill added to the romance with moonlight spreading a magic aura across the path they walked hand and hand as the warm breeze gently rippled the water along the banks of the lake. Chrissy rejoiced in the feeling that she and David were alone in their own, wonderful world of love far removed from the violence inherent in Marine Corps training which emphasized that a Marine's primary combat mission is to close with the enemy and destroy him. David Hall wanted to be a Marine Officer and Chrissy shared his pride in the Corps. I will be a good Marine wife, she thought smiling. Her mind’s role lasted but a brief moment.
****** "Hey squid. Where’d ‘ya get the p----?" "What did you say?" "David what’s the matter?" "What 'ya doing with a f----- squid, pretty little lady?" "Knock it off," David admonished, addressing three Marines who were sitting off the path on a sloping bank leading to the water's edge. "F--- you, pelican," the closest Marine retorted. "Come and sit with us, blondie, and we'll show you what real men are all about. Probably have no idea hanging around with a fag sailor." "That's enough," David interjected. "I want all three of you to stand up and hand over your I.D. cards. You are on report." They stood as directed. And then killed David Hall with kicks and blows. Then they each raped Chrissy Long. After they finished, they ran away leaving her battered and bleeding on the ground where she had walked so happily a short time before. Susan rang the bell at eight fifteen with a small suitcase in hand which she had sequestered in the trunk of her Mercedes convertible so her husband would not see it as she dropped him off. As planned, she had placed his luggage in the back seat, which was easy to do with the top down. Sean, who was naked as he opened the door, embraced her playfully as she walked in. Susan laughed and suggested that undressing should be easy since it was going to be all one sided. They didn't make it to the bedroom. The oriental rug in the living room was revisited and their lovemaking continued its golden climb. Later they would move to the bedroom, but at the moment they were lost in loving; immersed in each other with no reservation or shame, enjoying the wondrous gift that God has given to men and women which allows them to express completely the feelings generated from being unreservedly merged physically, spiritually, and emotionally. Sean awakened several hours later with Susan wrapped in his arms. He looked at the time displayed on the alarm radio that had just come on. The love theme from Tchaikovsky's Romeo and Juliet had awakened them and its sensuous sounds blended with their romantic embrace. He kissed her and felt a passionate response. She felt the same and they loved again, and then lay quietly for a few minutes. Then Susan spoke softly, "One for the road, Mr. O'Ryan? I presume you are off somewhere. Why else would you be waking us in the middle of the night?" "Gee, Suz. Had I known you were going to seduce me so early in the a.m., I would have set the alarm a whole lot earlier. What a nice way to start the day," Sean
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About the Book
When a friend of Los Angeles criminal law attorney, Sean O'Ryan, asks Sean to represent his nephew who has been charged with rape and murder, Sean doesn't hesitate since his friend had saved Sean's life twice in the Korean War when they were Marines trapped at the Chosin Reservoir. His new client, an African-American Marine stationed at Camp Pendleton Marine Base, is accused along with three white Marines who make a concerted effort to implicate him in the terrible crimes against the two victims, while at the same time attempting to extricate themselves. At great cost to a personal, highly sensual relationship with a beautiful woman, Sean fights with no holds barred during the trial as the mystery surrounding his client deepens and builds to an explosive climax.
About the Author
In a long and distinguished career, Michael Patrick Murray has been a trial attorney, both as a prosecutor and defense counsel, as well as a trial judge and appellate judge. In addition, he has enjoyed extensive teaching experience as a law professor at four different law schools. A Marine Corps veteran of the Korean and Vietnam wars, he knows the military as well as he does the law. Asked what aspect of his experience he enjoys most, Mr. Murray advises, "Added to the genuine pleasure as well as the challenge of writing about the law, it is a close call between studying law, teaching law, and fighting the good fight for truly worthy causes be it in war, or in the courtroom."