Unforgotten Casebook — One case. Every angle. One place.
← Case library

1995 · Somerville, Massachusetts

Janet Downing & Eddie O’Brien

A U.S. case in the current media spotlight

Janet Downing was killed in her Massachusetts home. Teenager Eddie O’Brien was convicted; attorney and author Margo Nash challenges that conviction. Her position is presented as advocacy, not as an exoneration.

View timeline →

EXPLORE THE CASE

The Story

Start Here
When1995
WhereSomerville, Massachusetts
In this collection2 resources

Start here.

Choose a book, screen story or audio episode from this case’s collection.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Amazon buttons marked “paid link” may earn us a commission. Affiliate disclosure

Where are they now?

No reviewed items have been added to this section yet.

Nicknames & media names

No reviewed items have been added to this section yet.

EXPLORE THE CASE

Blogs & Essays

The Journal

Read our articles here and explore outside perspectives, credited to their writers and publications. See this case in the Journal →

From the journal

No reviewed items have been added to this section yet.

Blogs & essays

1 items
About these sources

Outside essays and reading guides reflect their authors’ perspectives. Compare claims with reported and primary sources.

WildBlue Press · 2026-07-28

The Politics of Murder: second-edition introduction

A July publisher feature describes an expanded edition challenging O’Brien’s conviction and discussing juvenile justice. This is the author’s or publisher’s perspective, not a court finding.

Outside CommentaryAccess Varies · Check Source

Link Check PendingReport a Link (Email)

EXPLORE THE CASE

Books

Read The Story
Explore Free Reading, Previews & Library Options →

CONTINUE YOUR READING

Search this case on Amazon · paid link

Search results may include unrelated titles. Check the author, edition, and case connection before purchasing.

Explore Reading & Streaming Options · Our case guides are free.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Amazon buttons marked “paid link” may earn us a commission. Affiliate disclosure

Books

1 items

Margo Nash

The Politics of Murder, 2nd Edition

A book about the case, identified in the linked author or publisher article. This is a bibliographic listing, not a claim that we have read or independently verified every assertion in the book.

BookAccess Varies · Check Source

Link Check PendingReport a Link (Email)

Search Amazon · paid linkExplore this book

Title search; Amazon availability is not confirmed. Check the edition, format, and viewing region.

More Formats & Stores

Choose how you want to read or watch. These are optional paid links.

Links marked “Search” show retailer results. Check the edition, current availability and US region before buying. An Audible link does not guarantee inclusion in a membership. How affiliate links work.

Explore Books, Shows & Movies Connecting Several Cases →

EXPLORE THE CASE

Movies & TV

Documentaries & Adaptations

Movies

No reviewed items have been added to this section yet.

TV & documentaries

No reviewed items have been added to this section yet.

EXPLORE THE CASE

Audiobooks

Listen To The Books

An audiobook edition has not been confirmed for this case yet. You can check the audiobook catalog or explore the case’s podcasts.

Check Audio Formats For This Book

These books are in this case’s collection. An audiobook version has not been verified for the listings below.

The Politics of Murder, 2nd Edition

Margo Nash

Search Audiobook Editions · paid link

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Amazon buttons marked “paid link” may earn us a commission. Affiliate disclosure

EXPLORE THE CASE

Fiction Work

Adaptations & Inspirations

Fiction Work

Browse all →

Scripted stories and fictional inspirations. Scenes, characters, and dialogue can differ from the record.

No verified fictional adaptation or inspiration has been identified in this collection. Nonfiction coverage is listed in the other media sections.

EXPLORE THE CASE

Podcasts

Episodes & Audio Stories

Podcasts

No reviewed items have been added to this section yet.

EXPLORE THE CASE

Social Media

Videos & Conversations

BRING YOUR PERSPECTIVE

Where would you start?

Choose your reading route, then share a question with your community.

My first source would be…

Your choice stays on this page. No vote is submitted or counted.

Talk about sources and storytelling with care for the people affected. A documentary, a book and a court record serve different purposes.

Social Media

No reviewed items have been added to this section yet.

EXPLORE THE CASE

News & Reading

Reporting, Clippings & Archives

News & reporting

No reviewed items have been added to this section yet.

Newspaper clippings

0 items

Featured newspaper clipping

No newspaper image has been cleared for display for this case yet. Explore the archive below.

Keep following the newspaper trail.

Search original reporting, follow the trial, and compare how newspapers covered the case over time.

Explore more on Newspapers.com

Newspapers.com controls access to its archive. A subscription may be required; existing subscribers can sign in.

Internet Archive

No reviewed items have been added to this section yet.

EXPLORE THE CASE

Court & Files

Explore The Documents

Court records & documents

0 items
About these sources

Documents are labeled by type and scope. Allegations in filings are not findings of guilt. This collection is not the complete case file.

No accessible court document has been verified for this case yet.

New material will appear here after editorial review.

EXPLORE THE CASE

Positive Outcome

Laws, Advocacy & Change

Positive Outcome

0 items
About these sources

Documented laws, advocacy and reforms. Listing a change does not claim it is effective or universally supported.

No case-specific reform has been verified for this collection yet.