Wrongly Accused (1996 novel)

Wrongly Accused: The Maureen Prescott Murder is the likely name for the debut novel of Top Story journalist and reporter, Gale Weathers, mentioned in Scream (1996) and Scream (2022). It was published in 1995 (according to a promotional website for Scream 3) or (more likely) 1996.

Unlike her future bibliography, its official title is never seen or mentioned on-screen in canon (only through promotional material for Scream 3), therefore making its title uncertain in canon. As a journalist, Weathers alleged in tabloid stories that Cotton Weary, a man convicted of rape and murder, was innocent. Weary was convicted for the late-September 1995 killing of 44-year-old Woodsboro, California native, Maureen Prescott.

Prescott's relations with Cotton were believed to be non-consensual due to her married status. Gale Weathers, however, launched an investigation, believing his story of their affair and also suspecting he was framed. She also questioned the credibility of Maureen's grief-stricken 16-year-old daughter, Sidney Prescott following the trial which convicted him.

It is Weathers' first novel, sometime re-published by Sunset True Crime books for the Ghostface book series collective. The publisher's affiliated film studio later financed and adapted its successor into a successful horror franchise, Stab (1998—2020).

It was written before the Woodsboro Murders of September 1996 where Maureen Prescott's true killers were revealed to be Woodsboro High students, Billy Loomis and Stu Macher. Following the truth being revealed, sales increased and her debut novel gained an insurgence of popularity.

Scream (1996)
After Sidney is attacked by Ghostface, she is taken to the police station accompanied by Tatum Riley and Dewey Riley. Before leaving the precinct, they are trialed by Gale going live for an interview about Sidney's attack.

Tatum attempts to push Gale away, but Sidney plays a coy persona and asks how the book is going with fake pleasant gestures. Gale says it will be out by the end of the year. Sidney, walking away at this point, says "Oh! I'll look for it". Gale, oblivious to the pretence, tries to continue the interview and says, "I'll send you a copy!" smiling. This enrages Sidney, who then punches her for the remark.

Later, Sidney recalls the trial and Gale's tabloid stories about her, which Sidney calls "bullshit theories" about Cotton's innocence. She asks if she still believes it, to which Gale responds, "Your testimony put him away, it doesn't really matter what I think". Gale intuits that Sidney is having doubts about her eye-witness testimony, and further reinforcing the likelihood that the new killer and Maureen's killer are related.

Scream 2 (1997)
Gale finds Sidney at Windsor college and abruptly attempts to interview her with Cotton Weary, the subject of her debut novel. Gale starts the interview without Sidney's consent, mentioning Sidney has just been reunited with Cotton for the first since she wrongly accused him of murdering her mother. Sidney, upset, asks her, "What the hell are you doing?"

After Cotton says he forgives her, Sidney aggresses towards Gale, but is pulled away by her boyfriend, Derek. Gale attempts to talk to her again and is once again backhanded like the previous time.

Scream (2022)
Gale claims if she hadn't wrote the book, none of what has happened would've occurred. Sidney heavily objects, clearly having long forgiven Gale.

Trivia

 * It was mentioned in both the original Scream (1996 film) and the reboot, Scream (2022 film).

Other books
The order of Gale's published books, as seen on her desk in Scream 4. In overall chronological order:
 * 1) Wrongly Accused (Pre-Ghostface release. Unseen in Scream 4, but mentioned during Scream and Scream 5)
 * 2) The Woodsboro Murders (Most famous book; seen/mentioned in Scream 2, 3 and 4; 1997 book; spawned the Stabfranchise)
 * 3) College Terror (Mentioned in Scream 3; Easter egg on Gale's desk in Scream 4; 1998 book; adapted into Stab 2 released in 1999)
 * 4) Hollywood Horror (Easter egg on Gale's desk; 2000 book; adapted into Stab 3: Hollywood Horror released mid-late 2000s)
 * 5) Ghostface Returns (Fiction; Easter egg on Gale's desk and in Jill's room; released 2000s decade)
 * 6) Knife of the Hunter (Fiction; adapted into Stab 7; Easter egg on Gale's desk; the most recent according to the order on Gale's desk lineup).

Non-Canon Books
These fictional books were created by the props department, but are not seen in Scream 4.
 * Knife of Doom
 * Clock of Doom