Confessions of the Accused (COTA) is the gritty autobiographical tale of Derrel Moore Jr., a street kid from Buffalo, NY who ended up serving a life sentence at the age of 16. COTA is a riveting, heart wrenching, and hopeful tale of a kid whose past traumas transformed him into someone he himself did not recognize. It is "true crime" meets "coming of age". This book paints a vivid picture of both the challenges and the triumphs of surviving the inner city and the penitentiary. Much like the groundbreaking films Boyz In The Hood and Menace II Society, this book brings the underbelly of urban America to life. The words leap off the page and the brutal honesty of the author forces the reader to reassess what part they may be playing in a culture that continues to produce troubled children that sometimes commit heinous crimes.

COTA is a cautionary tale for every young man or woman from the bottom looking in the streets for the direction that's lacking in the home. It's a must read for any law enforcement or legal professional working with youth who seem to be beyond repair. It's a shockingly honest revelation of family secrets and street life struggles. Most importantly Confessions of the Accused is a clarion call for hope, redemption and restoration, an absolute triumph!