James Brockman rose from shady character to preeminent defense attorney in Houston, Texas representing clients including gang leaders, jilted spouses, wealthy storekeepers and drunken on-duty policemen. These high-profile true crime and murder accounts take place between 1895 and 1910. They cross racial lines, revealing instances of separate and unequal justice in segregated Texas that had a lasting effect on the city and the state. His career gained national recognition, including his involvement in the most famous American murder case of the young twentieth century, when he himself was murdered leaving a dubious legacy.
Native Houstonian Mike Vance is the executive director and founder of Houston Arts and Media, a non-profit organization that creates innovative ways to educate Texans about their history. After a career in radio, television, comedy, script writing, acting and music Mike began chronicling history. He has authored five books, four feature-length documentaries, over fifty history television shows and forty-one videos on Houston history. Vance serves on the Harris County Historical Commission.