"What does the Manson Family have in common with professional wrestling, Confidential, and a fire-proof vault? They make up just a few of the stories featured in Courthouse Chaos. Joined by the KKK, Hustler magazine, the National Guard, and Lee Harvey Oswald, this book dives into the histories of courthouses all across the United States to reveal their most famous and infamous trials and instances of mob violence. In many towns, the courthouse represents justice, safety, and the rule of law. However, in some cities it develops into much more, becoming the home of tragedies and notorious trials. Courthouse Chaos: Famous and Infamous Trials and Mob Justice covers the most well-known of these cases in detail, offering true crime lovers their money's worth in local stories, well-researched facts, cutting insight, and unbiased conclusions. Broken into two sections, this book is the first in a series of true crime titles aimed at highlighting the deplorable and memorable events that have taken place in and around courthouses throughout the country" -- Provided by publisher.

Trials. The "trial" of thrill killers Leopold & Loeb -- A planned spectacle of a trial -- Bringing down "the law" in Indiana -- The trials of Dr. Sam Sheppard -- Confidential matters on trial -- One more big trial for "Old Red" -- A young nurse faces down evil -- The bizarre trial of Charlie and his girls -- An obscene display of street justice -- Seeking justice for Matthew Shepard -- Mob violence & justice. The South faces a troubled reality -- A second lynching after a mistaken first -- "The center hanging tree" -- A deadly defense of the courthouse -- The 'last northern" lynching in America -- A case of burning justice -- A hospital patient is lynched -- The law saves a suspect, but not the courthouse -- "The last classic lynching in America".