The Murder Trial of Judge Peel

Originally published in 1962, this is the true story account of one of Florida’s most chilling crimes.

Joseph Peel, a crooked municipal judge of Palm Beach, Florida, is accused of killing fellow judge, Curtis Chillingworth, of the superior court, who mysteriously disappeared along with his wife, Marjorie Chillingworth, from their home in 1955.

Peel was publicly reprimanded by Chillingworth in 1953, when Peel represented both sides in a divorce. In June 1955, Peel was scheduled to appear in court to answer charges of unethical conduct in yet another divorce case, and so faced disbarment.

Since Peel was also using his position as an elected municipal judge to protect bolita operators and moonshiners by giving them advance warnings of raids in return for financial consideration, Peel faced the loss of his superior position—and thus his lucrative illegal racket…

A gripping read.

“Bishop’s reconstruction is well-ordered and well-observed, a stunning form of journalistic jazz, cool, crisp and all on one note, like a headline. […] A simple, speedy, thoroughly satisfying thriller…”—Kirkus Review