Crucial Judgment — Al Blanchard

Steve Asher, an eighth grade U.S. History teacher at North Middle School, spends his summer learning more about the judicial system than he ever wanted to know. Being the only one who believes in Elena Thompson's innocence on a jury of seven other men and four women is hard enough. But two weeks later, after the trial is dismissed because of his unwillingness to vote guilty, a letter arrives from Elena, thanking him.

Questioning his motives and unwilling to listen to his better judgment, Asher sets out to prove to himself, and everyone else, that he'd made the right decision. But the citizens of Good Harbor will go to any lengths to prove he was wrong. Including murder.