Convicted by Jameel Zookie McGee and Andrew Collins, with Mark Tabb

• File Size: 5562 KB
• Print Length: 226 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0735290725
• Publisher: WaterBrook (September 19, 2017)
• Publication Date: September 19, 2017
• Sold by: Random House LLC

About The Book:

Jameel McGee: “For the next three years not a day went by that I didn’t think about my son who I had never seen and the cop who had kept me from him. And for most of those three years I promised myself that if I ever saw this cop again, I was going to kill him. I intended to keep that promise.” 
 
Andrew Collins: “I watched this angry man march through a crowd, a little boy and another man struggling to keep up with him....The man walked straight up to me, stopped, and stuck out his hand. I took it. “Remember me?” he asked in a tone that sounded more like a threat than a question. 
Somehow, a name came to me. ‘Jameel McGee,’ I replied.” 
 
It reads like a gripping crime novel…except this story really happened.
 
Racial tensions had long simmered in Benton Harbor, a small city on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan, before the day a white narcotics officer--more focused on arrests than justice—set his sights on an innocent black man. But when officer Andrew Collins framed Jameel McGee for possession of crack cocaine, the surprising result was not a race riot but a transformative journey for both men. 
 
Falsely convicted, McGee spent four years in federal prison. Collins also went to prison a few years later for falsifying police reports. While behind bars, the faith of both men deepened. But the story took its most unexpected turn once they were released--when their lives collided again in a moment brimming with mistrust and anger. The two were on a collision course—not to violence—but forgiveness.  
 
As current as today’s headlines, this explosive, true story reveals how these radically conflicted men chose to let go of fear and a thirst for revenge to pursue reconciliation for themselves, their community, and our racially divided nation.

My Thoughts:

"Convicted" is a story for our time.  Tensions between racial groups and animosity toward law enforcement is at an all time high, and it is nearly impossible to have a conversation about either issue.  Jameel McGee and Andrew Collins are real people, and this is a true story that pulls no punches. Instead, it gives all of us a glimpse into a world most of us will never experience.

When I began reading the book, I was leary.  What kind of real life scene was I about to experience. The more I read, the angrier I became.  Andrew Collins was a dirty cop.  He didn't set out to be one...but he dropped his moral guard and as a result, he made decisions that were suspect and eventually were against the law.

I could understand the lack of trust in our law enforcement, and our judicial system.  I could understand why so many feel marginalized and painted with a broad racial brush.  And I wanted to speak out on Jameel's behalf, trying to get justice for him.

As I got deeper into the story, I came to an understanding concerning the racial tide in America. Bottom line, Jameel McGee didn't stand a chance.  He was convicted before he was ever charged, and no one believed him.  Was it just because he was a young black man?  For me, the answer was a resounding yes.

But it wasn't just law enforcement that lacked a moral compass.  Our judicial system didn't come out smelling like a rose either.  If we truly have judges that behave this way, they need to be removed from the bench and stripped of their robes.  Lady Justice is blind, and she weighs the charge and evidence on a scale to find justice.

But her blindfold was off and prejudice, laziness, and greed triumphed instead.

What made "Convicted" so compelling was the powerful message of redemption, reconciliation, and renewal. I spent the first half of the book so angry with Andrew Collins and concerned for Jameel McGee, and unable to find a solution.  I found the solution toward the final third of the book, and it's the only solution we have.

The answer to this situation, and to all of the things wrong with our society today is found the power found in a relationship with Jesus. 

My one and only criticism was the stilted tone of the writing, but I was reading from an advance, unedited copy.  The lack of contractions was a distraction, and I'm hoping that was addressed before the book went to print.  It's minor, but as an avid reader, it just bugged me.  I'm thankful to Waterbrook/Multnomah Press for my advance copy, given with no expectation or obligation.

"Convicted" is a non-fiction title, but I'm still calling it a book "For Such a Time As This".  My prayer is that word spreads about Jameel, Andrew, and Jesus.  Don't miss "Convicted".

Until the next page turns,

Deena