Judge sharpens pen and turns to crime fiction
By Will Pavia
A dozen pages in to the brisk novel Race To Judgment, the gallant Brooklyn defence lawyer and hero of the story makes a canny statement before the judge hearing his latest case. Readers who might miss the significance of this moment then received a primer on grand juries and the debate over their rules and procedures in the legal community.
The author seems rather well versed on the subject. In fact he is probably the most thoroughly informed writer in the crowded field of crime fiction and courtroom drama.
That is because he is Judge Frederic Block, 83, who was nominated by President Clinton and confirmed by the Senate in 1994, has presided over murder cases, mob trials and big appeals and now has one…