The Destroyer of Innocents

About the Book

The true story of THE DESTROYER OF INNOCENTS only turns to fiction in the last third of the novel when the author cannot find justice in the judicial system or in life itself for defendant Marco Barrera. Until that moment it presents a Spanish language interpreter's continuous struggle for emotional survival during a 2001 Los Angeles Superior Court death penalty trial. The author-interpreter must repeat into Spanish every word of testimony for the two defendants and thereby relive in stereo the horror of two of the most shocking domestic violence murders of California history.

The only way the interpreter can keep his battered emotions at bay during testimony is by recalling his own delightful youth and adolescence. This defense mechanism eventually turns to rage against the defendant. It then can only be appeased by striking out against domestic violence.

The death penalty, man's reason to live, defendant Marco Barrera's worst nightmares, and justice itself all cry out for a helping hand. The final resolution is a surreal attempt to desperately recover life and innocence and return them to their proper owners, mankind and children. The ultimate demand for true justice will constantly provoke your laughter, tears, and deepest thoughts.

About the Author

Dwight Neumann received his doctorate in Hispanic languages and literatures from UCLA in 1980. Since then he has been working for The Los Angeles Superior Court as a Spanish language interpreter while teaching courses for interpreters. He has published six articles of literary criticism and thirteen interpreter-training manuals.