A Mother's Story: The Fight to Free My Son David

Leila I. Wallenius is a reference librarian in the J.N. Desmarais
Library at Laurentiana University.

In this compelling book, Joyce Milgaard and Peter Edwards have
documented the investigation, trial, and conviction of David Milgaard
for the murder of Gail Miller and the 22-year struggle to free him.
Joyce Milgaard’s unwavering belief in the innocence of her son and her
determination to prove his innocence are the principal reasons David is
free today.

Although the story is clearly told from the perspective of Joyce
Milgaard, she does not attempt to whitewash the lives of either herself
or her son before, during, or after their legal ordeal. Nor is the book
a concerted effort to vilify the Canadian justice system. It points out
without bitterness the errors in judgment and process that were made and
makes recommendations for changes to the justice system that seem
reasonable and should be implemented. At times, it is difficult to
follow the complex timeline the authors use as they recount the events
of the Milgaard case. That said, A Mother’s Story is an important book
about an injustice whose like should never be allowed to happen again.