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Ethical Accountability

Author Interview
Dashawn Mayweather Author Interview

The Broken Gavel: A Sneak Peek is part memoir, part manifesto, and part legal dissection, sharing your story of betrayal, both personal and institutional, experiences with a trusted attorney who failed you, and a friend who used your private pain as creative capital. Why was this an important book for you to write?

The Broken Gavel: A Sneak Peek was born out of necessity, both personal and moral. I needed to reclaim my narrative after experiencing betrayal from trusted institutions and individuals who weaponized my vulnerability. Writing this book gave me the power to turn pain into purpose and silence into accountability. It became my way of transforming what was meant to destroy me into a movement for truth, justice, and self-restoration.

What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?

I wanted readers to understand that justice is not just a legal term; it’s a human experience. I focused on themes like ethical accountability, truth versus perception, and the emotional toll of fighting systems that have the power to silence victims. The Broken Gavel is a call to action for transparency, courage, and moral responsibility.

What was the hardest thing for you to write about?

The most difficult part was revisiting the emotional betrayal by people I once trusted deeply, particularly a friend who used my story for her own gain. It forced me to relive moments of pain, humiliation, and disbelief. But it also reminded me of the importance of integrity and emotional boundaries. Writing through that discomfort became an act of healing and reclamation.

How has writing your memoir impacted or changed your life?

This book completely redefined my sense of power and purpose. It helped me move from surviving injustice to leading with resilience. Writing The Broken Gavel taught me that storytelling is not just about catharsis, it’s about creating community and inspiring accountability. Since releasing it, I’ve connected with readers, educators, and advocates who see themselves in my story, which reinforces why I wrote it in the first place.

Author Links: GoodReads | Website | Amazon

Every story has a breaking point. This is mine.

Before the full memoir arrives in 2026, The Broken Gavel: A Sneak Peek pulls back the curtain on betrayal, power, and the fight for justice in a way you’ve never read before.

Dashawn Mayweather trusted the system and the people inside it, only to discover her divorce finalized without her knowledge and her most intimate secrets repackaged in a “friend’s” book. What begins as a private legal battle explodes into a story of survival, resilience, and the courage to speak when silence is no longer an option.

Blending raw memoir with sharp legal insight, this preview doesn’t just tell a story, it challenges readers to ask: What happens when the very institutions built to protect us become the ones that try to break us?
Part testimony. Part case study. 100% unforgettable.

This is not the whole book, it’s the spark. The fire is coming in 2026.
When the gavel breaks, the illusion of untouchable power shatters. And from those cracks, a movement begins.

Homicide in the Hood: Murders that Haunt a Small Town Girl

Kelli Martin’s Homicide in the Hood is a heartfelt and haunting exploration of unsolved murders in the seemingly quaint town of Granbury, Texas. Drawing on her personal experiences growing up there, Martin provides an emotional narrative about six specific cases that left an indelible mark on the community. The detailed accounts not only memorialize the victims but also call for justice and renewed attention to these cold cases.

What struck me most about Martin’s writing is her ability to weave personal anecdotes with meticulous research. She describes the murder of Lillian Peart, who was brutally shot in a convenience store for a mere $57. Her recounting of how this event shook her childhood innocence is raw and moving, making it easy to empathize with the fear and confusion she must have felt. The inclusion of small-town quirks, such as the community’s reliance on word-of-mouth gossip, adds an authentic charm to an otherwise grim subject matter. Martin’s knack for storytelling truly shines when she recounts how these murders affected her family and her career path. In the chapter on Holly Palmer’s murder near the sheriff’s department, Martin ties her personal memories of riding her bike past the location to a broader discussion of law enforcement’s struggles in solving these cases.

The contrast between her idyllic childhood memories and the brutal reality of these crimes adds an emotional depth that is hard to ignore. While the book is gripping, it’s also frustrating and that’s no fault of the author. Martin is transparent about the challenges law enforcement faced due to the lack of modern technology like DNA testing during the 1980s. For example, she discusses how suspects were identified but not prosecuted due to insufficient evidence, leaving readers with a sense of unresolved injustice. Her writing conveys not just the facts but also her palpable frustration and determination to bring attention to these cases.

I particularly appreciated Martin’s plea to humanize the victims. Her insistence that these women were more than statistics resonates strongly. In discussing Dorothy Sanders, who was stabbed over 100 times, Martin paints a vivid picture of the victim’s humanity and the ripple effects of her loss on the community. This level of compassion and advocacy is what makes the book stand out.

Homicide in the Hood is a compelling read for true crime enthusiasts, particularly those interested in cold cases and the intricacies of small-town dynamics. Martin’s passion for justice and her ability to connect the reader to her past create an engaging and thought-provoking narrative. This book is perfect for those looking to better understand the long-term impacts of unsolved crimes on families and communities. It left me both heartbroken and hopeful, a testament to Martin’s powerful storytelling.

Pages: 322 | ASIN : B0DMPTY2V9

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