Fatal Destiny named 2013 Police-Writers.com Book of the Year. The brutal death of Dr. Pam Basu and forcible taking of her car on September 8, 1992 is the singular incident, which defined carjacking. Her senseless killing was truly the murder reported around the world. From CBS, NBC, and ABC to CNN and FOX News, People and Time Magazines, her death touched off a media frenzy. The outcry over Doctor Basu's murder brought thunderous applause from members of her community when they were told the suspects could face the death penalty. But the cries for justice continued and her death became the catalyst for House Bill H.R. 4542, The Anti-Car Theft Act of 1992. President George H. W. Bush signed that bill into law in the presence of members of the International Association of Chiefs of Police on October 25, 1992. The case continues to make national news, as suspects pursue appeals and challenge legislation and court rulings. The crime has been cited in the Baltimore Sun, Washington Post, New York Times, London Times, The Associated Press, Los Angeles Times, USA Today and others. The media has referred to the Basu carjacking as "the case that won't go away." The crime stands as a lead case cited in legal documents, court cases and dictionaries. It has been cited as a primary case in West's Encyclopedia of American Law and Webster's Online Dictionary. Howard County Police Officer Jody Tookey (first officer on the scene of the crime) said, "Two days after the murder I sat down to dinner and suddenly became sick. I couldn't touch my food, because I could only see her (Pam's) body lying there in the road. Sometimes my stomach still turns. I had nightmares for days. i saw the victim standing in the roadway asking me for help. She would yell at me to do something and her child would cry. In the days before the first trial I had the nightmares again. I still have horrible dreams, but not as often. People tell me I'll always have them." Yet, this hideous killing held a double twist that seemed more suited to a Hollywood Thriller. Pam's husband, Steve, while videotaping her departure, captured the images of the two men who would moments later brutally beat and drag to death his loving wife. And, she lived and died in a town called Savage, Maryland.
About the Author: James Lilley is a former Marine and highly decorated 25-year veteran of the Howard County, Maryland Police Department. He began his law enforcement career by graduating at the top of his police academy class and rose through the ranks to Sergeant. His awards include the Medal of Valor, four Bronze Stars, four Unit Citations and the Governor's Citation. During his career in the police department, he worked various assignments, including Uniformed Patrol, Criminal Investigations, Forensic Services, Police Academy Instructor and Drug Enforcement. Police-Writers.com selected James as their 2008 Author of the Year. The Author of the Year selection is based on an independent judging of published writing, a distinguished career in law enforcement and service to the community. In 2009 he was awarded First Runner-Up in the Police-Writers.com short story contest. His novel, The Eyes of the Hunter was one of the works considered during the competition for Author of the Year. Johns Hopkins University adopted The Eyes of the Hunter, which will be used as a text for the Communications course in the Master of Science in Intelligence Analysis Degree program. Mr. Lilley is also a lecturer in Johns Hopkins University's Police Executive Leadership Program. While serving in Okinawa with the U. S. Marines, Jim began studying martial arts. He was the first American promoted to the rank of Black Belt by Sensei Takeshi Miyagi. In August 2011 he was further recognized and honored, when he achieved the rank of 9th Degree Black Belt from Sensei Miyagi. Mr. Lilley's success in publishing includes articles in Police Chief Magazine, training programs for the International Association of Chiefs of Police and seven novels. His novels include, A Question of Honor, Just Retribution, The Far Side of the Bridge, Death Knocks Twice, The Eyes of the Hunter, A Miracle for Tony Clements and A Tony Clements Christmas Miracle. Mr. Lilley has written over 40 articles for the Baltimore Reporter, one of which was reprinted in the book, Prisons, published by the Gena Cengage Learning Center in October 2009. He is also a member of the Maryland Writers' Association.