Luck Is A Talent

"Luck is a Talent," by debut author Gary Johnson, is a highly readable true crime memoir, telling not only Johnson's own professional story, but also the details of one of the most contentious murder cases in Illinois history. Johnson takes the reader through an emotionally powerful reconstruction of the abduction, rape and murder of 10-year-old Jeanine Nicarico from Naperville, Illinois, as well as false criminal charges and a series of unjust convictions. Three innocent men, Stephen Buckley (represented by Johnson, Clifford Lund and Carol Anfinson), Rolando Cruz and Alejandro Hernandez, were originally charged with the crimes against Jeanine. Buckley's trial ended in a hung jury, and he was never retried. Hernandez and Cruz were convicted, and each endured two more trials before they were freed. Eventually, the real culprit, confessed serial killer Brian Dugan, was convicted. "Luck is a Talent" provides a behind-the-scenes look at the criminal justice system and describes with unflinching frankness how three innocent men were singled out to pay for crimes someone else committed.