Staff reports
For those in the Lowcountry interested in why people put their lives on hold to watch the Alex Murdaugh trial and others, a new book tackles this topic and more, and there will be two upcoming chances to meet the authors.
Co-authors of the new book, “Trial Watchers,” Neil Gordon and Mike Petchenik will be in Beaufort on Friday, July 12, to discuss the book, provide complimentary bookmarks, and sign autographed copies.
Gordon and Petchenik will sign books from noon to 4 p.m., at McIntosh Book Shoppe at 917 Bay Street in Beaufort. Then the authors will give a brief talk, answer questions and then autograph books from 5 to 6:30 p.m., at the Beaufort Bookstore at 2127 Boundary Street in Beaufort.
Almost a year has passed since Neil Gordon and embattled former Alex Murdaugh trial clerk Becky Hill published “Behind the Doors of Justice: The Murdaugh Murders.”
Gordon and his wife almost lost their livelihoods over the allegations of Becky’s jury tampering and her plagiarism, and they spent hours speaking to South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) investigators and S.C. Ethics investigators related to Hill’s alleged actions.
Over the last year, something good came out of the situation – the Gordons encountered amazing true crime fans who inspired their new project, “Trial Watchers,” an anthology of short stories that explore the true crime obsession.
Three of those stories chronicle experiences of women traveling to the Lowcountry to attend the Murdaugh trial.
“Trial Watchers” also covers these topics behind-the-scenes events releated to the Becky Hill controversy; true crime, social media, and how hurt people hurt people; trial watchers who travel all over the country; how true crime fans seek justice in their own lives; and media crime reporting ethics and lack thereof.
Gordon and Petchenik will donate 10% of the book’s quarterly profits to victims’ charities, including those associated with the Community Foundation of the Lowcountry.
For more information, visit www.trialwatchers.com
