Soul Witness

About the Book

Terrorism is war in a new form, expanding inexorably into the lives of peaceful citizens worldwide, rendering even mundane activities potentially dangerous. In this captivating tale of terrorism in America, complacency is challenged with the startling reality that these violent acts can actually happen in the United States. Set predominantly in South Central Pennsylvania, Manhattan, and Washington, DC—with a side trip to Russia—a marvelous cast of talented and unpredictable characters attempt to unravel a cluster of terrifying events that appear to involve one mysterious individual. The story takes astonishing turns during his apprehension and trial that ultimately lead to a provocative, sobering conclusion. The conundrum of free will and origins of good and evil in our society are the basis for this imaginative story. Readers will experience how an assemblage of skilled attorneys, judges, and other members of the US criminal justice system wrestle with moral, ethical, and legal issues surrounding a defendant who defies all known precedents and leaves them powerless to defend or convict. Readers will think about this book long after they have eagerly read it from cover to cover, including the poignant epilogue and author’s note.

About the Author

Few individuals are more eminently qualified than author William Costopoulos to write a novel in which the US criminal justice system plays a key role. A political science graduate of Dickinson College, Carlisle, Pennsylvania, he went on to earn his Juris Doctor from Duquesne University School of Law in Pittsburgh, where he was valedictorian and achieved cum laude status. He received his LLM from Harvard University. Attorney Costopoulos served honorably in the US Army and, early in his career, prosecuted cases as a deputy district attorney in Dauphin County, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Thereafter, he defended high-profile cases in a career that spanned four decades. He continues to practice law in the firm of Costopoulos, Foster & Fields, located in Lemoyne, Pennsylvania. In addition to his professional memberships, he has been the recipient of numerous honors and awards for legal distinction and proficiency and, recently, received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Legal Intelligencer, a well-known Philadelphia-based publication and legal organization. Honorees are chosen for their impact in shaping Pennsylvania’s laws and positive contributions to the legal community. His five previously published books have garnered rave reviews. While three are fiction, the others are first-hand accounts of famous cases in which Costopoulos himself served as defense counsel.