FREEMAN'S CHALLENGE The Murder That Shook America's Original Prison for Profit

Shamaan Casey brings a deep, captivating voice to his stellar performance of this recounting of one of America's first prisons for profit. The story includes the 1846 murders that resulted from its operators' greed and brutality. William Freeman, serving five years in the Auburn, New York, penal institution, was left brain damaged and partially deaf after guards beat him. He was eventually released and went on to kill four members of the Van Nest family. Somebody had to pay, he said, for the uncompensated labor he performed at the prison. Casey is expressive--even his chapter headers have a character of their own--without being particularly emotional. His narration is so strong because of the diversity of his tones and emphases. Listeners won't be disappointed. G.S. © AudioFile 2024, Portland, Maine [Published: MAY 2024]