Have you ever considered how difficult it must be for defense attorneys to actually stand up for the rights of men they know are guilty? We tend to assume that they are cooked, only out to make a buck or a name for themselves. But there are other motivations for doing what they do. In this conversation, David T.S. Wood chats with John Henry Brown, defense attorney for some of the most high profile cases in American history and discovers that the motive behind what he does is not what you would think. Find out more on this episode.

Choosing to go into prison, posing as a pedophile.

When John Henry Brown was part of a prison reform task force, his team came up with the idea to go undercover in a high security prison to discover what the conditions were really like. John Henry’s opinion was that he needed to be able to see the worst of the worst, so he went under the cover of being a pedophile. That experience gave him a unique perspective on the effects of the legal system and the conditions of those who are incarcerated under it. Hear the intriguing story of a man who went on to defend some of the most notorious criminals in U.S. History, on this episode.

Why would anyone want to be defense attorney for Ted Bundy?

John Henry Brown didn’t necessarily want to be Ted Bundy’s defense attorney, but when Ted Bundy approached him about taking his case, he eventually took it. What he learned from the experience was that what separates sociopathic criminals like Ted Bundy from the rest of humanity is a complete lack of empathy with being in any way connected to others. You can hear more of John Henry’s chilling account of what it was like to sit in the cell with Ted Bundy and hear him recount his numerous murders, on this episode.

Standing between people and the government.

John Henry Brown clearly believes that people standing against the government equals freedom, but the government standing against people equals tyranny. He believes that in order for freedom to continue every person, no matter who they are, has the right to fair representation in court and a defender who truly works for their freedom. That’s the main reason he’s worked as defense attorney for many notorious criminals and why he is able to see the humanity even in those who have lost their way. John Henry’s stories are gripping and are worth the time it will take you to listen to this conversation.

Keeping perspective on the blessings of life in order to come out of the darkness.

Laboring day after day in defense of those who have confessed to committing unspeakable crimes could easily drag a person down into the darkness right alongside the criminals. But John Henry Brown has discovered that a strong focus on the blessings of his life, his family and his father, is what enables him to remain free of the depressing influence of what he calls “the dark side” of the world. In this conversation John Henry shares his perspective on mass murderers, the justice system, and the things that have to continue if freedom is to survive. It’s all on this episode.

Outline of this great episode

[1:50] How David first met John Henry Brown.

[3:24] When John Henry Brown decided to go into prison, posing as a pedophile.

[6:40] The life changing jail experience for John Henry.

[8:46] How John became the defense attorney for Ted Bundy.

[11:18] The murder of John Henry’s girlfriend.

[14:31] How John Henry Brown was able to personally defend Ted Bundy.

[19:15] Lessons John Henry has learned from the experience he had with Ted Bundy.

[21:20] The barefoot bandit and how John Henry came across his path.

[27:54] Why John Henry does a lot of pro bono work (free).

[33:48] What John Henry believes happens to push people to the “dark” side.

[36:40] How John Henry deals with defending people he knows are guilty.

[38:53] The transition from darkness back into light o...