The following article was written for the Press & Guide, 29 Nov 2006 edition.

Retired Detroit Police Officer Larry Nevers, convicted in the death of Malice Green, will conduct his first-ever book signing from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. this Saturday at the Little Café, 22180 Michigan Ave.

Nevers will sell and sign copies of his self-produced book, “Good Cops, Bad Verdict” for $21.

Nevers found himself on the other side of the law when he and his partner, Walter Budzyn, were convicted in 1993 of second-degree murder in the death of Green.

Prosecutors alleged that Green died after being beaten to death with a flashlight, but the officers maintained — and a coroner’s report later concluded — that Green died of heart failure after years of cocaine and substance abuse.

Nevers, a former Dearborn Heights resident, was imprisoned for more than five years but was released in 2001 and the charge was reduced to involuntary manslaughter.

Nevers began writing his manuscript within the first two years of his incarceration. In the book, he details his various assignments as a plainclothes Detroit police officer, as well as the events leading up to the Green incident, the trial and his imprisonment.

“If (people) really want to know the truth, it’s in the book,” Nevers said. “Everything in the book is supported by fact and I invite people to read it.”

He also describes the racial tensions in Detroit as a result of Green’s death — including the politics, misinformation and the media frenzy, which he feels tainted jurors and stripped him of his right to a fair and impartial trial.

In his book, Nevers — a highly decorated officer, involved in thousands of felony arrests — explains what happened to his case and how every arrest has the potential to go bad for every police officer working the street.

Since the release of “Good Cops, Bad Verdict” on Nov. 16, Nevers has found himself wrapped up in promoting the publication. The book is not available in stores but can be ordered at www.goodcopsbadverdict.com.

Nevers said sales of the book have been mostly via word of mouth and through e-mails. In addition to the book signing, he is planning on selling books at several upcoming police functions.

“So far it’s been going pretty well,” he said. “And I do look forward to meeting people (at the signing).”