By: John Glover (MBA)
A new book entitled Blood & Justice on the Sunset Strip: The Life, Loves & Lies of Hollywood Criminal Defense Attorney Peter Knecht – A Memoir, has just been released on Amazon by BearManor Media. Authored by the legendary Hollywood attorney Peter Knecht, who passed away in 2014, the new book was brought to life exactly 10 years after his death by his wife, Dr. Ava Cadell, who served as the book’s editor and co-publisher. The book is a riveting account of an iconic Hollywood Criminal Defense Attorney and his legal battles on behalf of dozens of high-profile celebrities.
During his time in private practice, Peter Knecht became a renowned Criminal Defense Attorney who represented many Hollywood celebrities, including Sly Stone, David Crosby, Dennis Hopper, Peter Fonda, Ike Turner, Ryan and Tatum O’Neal, Robert Blake, Charles Bronson, Robert Downey Jr, Andy Garcia, John Barrymore Jr., Jason Priestly, Rob Lowe, and Heidi Fleiss, among others. See: The Hollywood Reporter
About “Blood & Justice on the Sunset Strip”
“Blood & Justice on the Sunset Strip” offers readers the history of Peter Knecht’s work with the criminal courts of Los Angeles and his interactions with the Hollywood crowd on the Sunset Strip for over 50 years. Knecht represented various notable celebrities in Hollywood. The book outlines his early life, including his family’s escape from Nazi-occupied Austria, where they encountered significant dangers, one of which involved a threat to Knecht’s safety as a child.
This challenging journey marked the start of the Knecht family’s adaptation to life in America, where they worked to establish themselves anew. Knecht’s commitment to his education propelled him through law school, and he eventually became known as a legal expert for celebrities facing legal issues. The book also explores his involvement in the modification of California’s “search and seizure laws” and his role as a legal analyst for various media outlets.
Perhaps the chilling story in the memoir is Knecht’s own near-death experience in 1998, when he survived an attempted murder at his home. Despite having his throat cut from ear to ear and having multiple stab wounds in his chest, Knecht’s quick thinking saved the lives of his mother, his wife, and his housekeeper, by preventing the perpetrators from entering their home. Before his attackers had fled, Knecht had just pulled up to his Sunset Hills home when he was surrounded by gunmen.
They put a .44-caliber automatic to his head and demanded money. He turned over his wallet and his watch, but the next command he refused. “They wanted to handcuff me and take me into the house,” Knecht writes. “I knew it would be torture time. If I let them in, everyone would be killed.” Shaken but steadfast, he looked his assailants in the eye and said, “That’s not going to happen. It ends here, gentlemen.” Knecht was prepared to die rather than subject his 87-year-old mother, his wife, and their housekeeper to a similar fate. He braced himself — as it flashed through his mind that he would never see these three women or his two children again. Knecht realized he would not have a chance to say goodbye. He was prepared to take a bullet– but got a blade instead.
One of the attackers pushed Knecht down and sliced through his throat. Seconds later, they took off, leaving him for dead. Clutching his neck with both hands, Knecht staggered to the house, hit 911 and collapsed. His wife, Dr. Ava Cadell administered first aid and helped keep him alive until paramedics arrive 10 minutes later. After a two-hour surgery that included a tracheotomy, Knecht awoke to the comforting sight of his wife and a few close friends.
Although he had survived, the outcome was uncertain. Would he ever speak again? Had he suffered permanent brain damage? Nobody knew at that time.
Incredibly, the knife missed every vital artery and Knecht made a full recovery. Three weeks later, he was back at work. Six gang members were soon thereafter arrested in connection with the case. All confessed. Knecht’s wallet and jewelry were recovered. Writes Knecht of the ordeal: “You never appreciate life enough, until you are in the position of losing it. We are all just so lucky to be alive and well, and that is something no one should forget.”
Published by: Khy Talara
