Cashing In – It Still Occurs
These days, real life cops become storytellers by writing books and making TV appearances. In the old days, one had to appear in a Vaudeville show to either tell the story or act out what happened when they made a collar and busted some criminals. This stage work was quicker to organize than writing a book and also more entertaining than reading a book. The windfalls were and are often incredible, but nowadays the fortunate few sometimes get book deals or have to find an agent. Robert Blake contends that is why he was arrested for murder with little or no physical evidence (i.e., the cops and prosecutors wanted to make a name for themselves and get rich – as in the OJ case). Blake’s memoir is one of the best bios I have ever read. I always liked Blake when I was growing up, so the OJ factor is in play here — sort of like the people who admired him or thought he was innocent. Speaking of windfalls, Scott Thorson burned through his Candelabra book money in the late 80s in a few months. Over twenty years later, the six-figures he received for the movie was blown in roughly the same amount of time. Rumor has it that Scott is working on a new book in prison.
Cashing In… from the book Psycho USA by Harold Schecter:
jimmy chicago are discussing. 
jimmy chicago 1:11 pm on January 10, 2017 Permalink |
John in your research of wonderland did you ever feel you were getting your leg pulled by any of the people who were in the “know” about wonderland . I mean like cops or investigators just trying to keep their names relevant because they were involved some how maybe taking liberties with stories or characters cashing in that way. I think one of the best things on this blog was when you interviewed Billy’s son and he did not make Ronnie sound like a super bad ass just a little trouble maker that billy could crush.I think he was really credible, are or have you interviewed Susan or Ronnie’s brothers.
John 1:28 pm on January 10, 2017 Permalink |
No, I have not encountered anyone either trying to seem more relevant than they were, or cash in, besides Scott Thorson. I believe Scott wanted a check for being interviewed by Rodger Jacobs once, not sure if he paid him. I’ll have to dig up those notes. Ron’s childhood friend wasn’t super eager to speak to me, then later he said he would but not to use his real name so I didn’t. Holmes attorney is going to write a book, and he was brief in our interview but once I got him talking, he opened up more and we talked longer than I expected. I have not interviewed Susan or Ron’s brothers yet, but they are the last few. I may have better luck with Ron’s youngest brother. What should I do there, contact them myself or have an intermediary do it? I need advice. I scared a few of the gang’s kids off by contacting them myself. Actually, the truth is… they were the estranged kids of Dave and Tracy, who were deserted as kids so they didn’t want to talk about their dads at all, of course. Besides, they said they didn’t know much and one didn’t even know what her dad looked like (Lind).
John 1:40 pm on January 10, 2017 Permalink |
More luck and second chances have landed in Scott’s lap than anybody else, and he pissed it all away. He even left or lost his meal ticket in Maine (the religious woman during the 90s who took care of him when he was born again or whatever after he was shot three times by that crackhead in the early 90s). It was mostly platonic, but she did say that the only time they had sex “it was horrible”. LOL So he couldn’t even do that good.