A new book entitled Blood & Justice on the Sunset Strip: The Life, Loves & Lies of Hollywood Criminal Defense Attorney Peter Knecht – A Memoir, has just been released on Amazon by BearManor Media. Authored by the legendary Hollywood attorney Peter Knecht, who passed away in 2014, the new book was brought to life exactly 10 years after his death by his wife, Dr. Ava Cadell, who served as the book’s editor and co-publisher. The book is a riveting account of an iconic Hollywood Criminal Defense Attorney and his legal battles on behalf of dozens of high-profile celebrities. See: https://www.bloodandjustice.com/
During his time in private practice, Peter Knecht became a renowned Criminal Defense Attorney who represented many Hollywood celebrities, including Sly Stone, David Crosby, Dennis Hopper, Peter Fonda, Ike Turner, Ryan and Tatum O’Neal, Robert Blake, Charles Bronson, Robert Downey Jr, Andy Garcia, John Barrymore Jr., Jason Priestly, Rob Lowe, and Heidi Fleiss, among others. See: The Hollywood Reporter
ABOUT “BLOOD & JUSTICE ON THE SUNSET STRIP”
“Blood & Justice on the Sunset Strip” offers readers the history of Peter Knecht’s work with the criminal courts of Los Angeles and his interactions with the Hollywood crowd on the Sunset Strip for over 50 years. Knecht represented some of the biggest celebrities Hollywood has ever seen. The book details Knecht’s early life, as he vividly recounts his family’s harrowing escape from Nazi-ruled Austria, where they faced unimaginable terror as Nazis destroyed his crib and left him for dead. This perilous journey marked the beginning of the Knecht Family’s adjustment to the American way of life, where they strove to rebuild and thrive in a new land. Knecht’s dedication to education led him through law school; afterwards, he rose to become a top “go-to” legal expert for celebrities entangled in legal controversies. The book also delves into his significant role in amending California’s “search and seizure laws” and his contributions as a legal analyst on major media outlets.
Perhaps the most chilling story in the memoir is Knecht’s own near-death experience in 1998, when he survived an attempted murder at his home. Despite having his throat cut from ear to ear and having multiple stab wounds in his chest, Knecht’s quick thinking saved the lives of his mother, his wife, and his housekeeper, by preventing the perpetrators from entering their home. Before his attackers had fled, Knecht had just pulled up to his Sunset Hills home when he was surrounded by gunmen. They put a .44-caliber automatic to his head and demanded money. He turned over his wallet and his watch, but the next command he refused. “They wanted to handcuff me and take me into the house,” Knecht writes. “I knew it would be torture time. If I let them in, everyone would be killed.” Shaken but steadfast, he looked his assailants in the eye and said, “That’s not going to happen. It ends here, gentlemen.” Knecht was prepared to die rather than subject his 87-year-old mother, his wife, and their housekeeper to a similar fate. He braced himself — as it flashed through his mind that he would never see these three women or his two children again. Knecht realized he would not have a chance to say goodbye. He was prepared to take a bullet– but got a blade instead.
One of the attackers pushed Knecht down and sliced through his throat. Seconds later, they took off, leaving him for dead. Clutching his neck with both hands, Knecht staggered to the house, hit 9-1-1 and collapsed. His wife, Dr. Ava Cadell, administered first aid and helped keep him alive until paramedics arrived 10 minutes later. After a two-hour surgery that included a tracheotomy, Knecht awoke to the comforting sight of his wife and a few close friends.
Although he had survived, the outcome was uncertain. Would he ever speak again? Had he suffered permanent brain damage? Nobody knew at that time. Incredibly, the knife missed every vital artery and Knecht made a full recovery. Three weeks later, he was back at work. Six gang members were soon thereafter arrested in connection with the case. All confessed. Knecht’s wallet and jewelry were recovered. Writes Knecht of the ordeal: “You never appreciate life enough, until you are in the position of losing it. We are all just so lucky to be alive and well, and that is something no one should forget.”
What people are saying about “Blood and Justice on the Sunset Strip”
“I first met Peter Knecht in 1979 on the set of an Andy Sidaris movie called ‘Seven’ in Kauai—in that film, he played the lead bad guy named Kimo Maderos and I was his right-hand man named Skip. We had a lot of fun – we were there for a couple of weeks. I so loved Hawaii I even considered moving there. I didn’t know much about Peter when we first met, but quickly learned that he was a very successful criminal attorney back in Hollywood. We had such a good time making that film that our friendship continued on after we both got back to Los Angeles. He was always available to me if I ever had a business or legal question, I could always come to him. Peter and his lovely wife Ava and I would often go to watch new movies and eat dinners at Andy Sidaris’ house. Peter was a real good soul, and, considering all of the troubled characters he represented, it always impressed me that none of his clients’ negative metaphysical or emotional characteristics rubbed off on him. His personality never changed from the day I met him until the last time I saw him, shortly before he passed away about ten years ago. You never saw the pressure and the darkness within him that I’ve seen so many times within other attorneys — a level of hunger and frustration and constant expediency, always rushing around and speaking fast. He was just a guy who loved the movies and the entertainment industry, and was very fond of actors. That’s why I am so sad he’s gone. Peter also had very good taste in women. I even secretly admired his wife, Ava, for many years, from afar.” — Martin Kove, Actor, “The Karate Kid” Movie Franchise, and the “Cobra Kai” TV Series
“Peter was amazing, he really was. From the moment I would walk into his immensely grand office, I felt secure hiring this gentleman. He would always be there for his clients. I’m pretty sure I hired him three or more different times in my life when I was having some difficulties, and he always went to bat for me. When you hired him, he was there for you, 24/7. When he showed up in court, he had amazing connections and was always so kind. I could call him at any moment and he would break down what our next steps had to be. He always made me feel secure. Years later, when I was the hostess at the Le Petit Bistro, he and his new wife, Ava Cadell, would often come into the restaurant – it was great for me to re-connect with him so many years later. I do miss him – Peter was one in a million.” Victoria Sellers, Actress/Model and Daughter of Iconic Comedic Actor Peter Sellers
