The true story of an innocent black teenager who fights for his life in a Jim Crow courtroom after a white girl is found raped and murdered in the Georgia countryside.

SYNOPSIS:

The day before his trial, OSCAR DANIEL, 17, meets his lawyer for the first time at the

train station accompanied by 300 National Guard soldiers. He and the other suspects, his

sister JANE, his cousin ERNEST, and their neighbor ED are arriving from Atlanta where

they were held for safekeeping. They're all on trial for the rape and murder of MAE

CROW who was found dying in the woods a month ago.

The father testifies in court and relays the basic details and background to the case. A

neighbor then testifies and describes how he found Mae Crow naked and mortally

wounded in the woods, and how he found a mirror at the murder scene linking Ernest

Knox to the crime. He claims Ernest confessed when he took him to jail, but in a

flashback it is clear that he confesses to save his life. A doctor testifies that Mae was

raped, beaten, bitten, her nipple bitten off, eye gouged out, head crushed, and throat cut.

The sheriff takes the stand and describes the investigation, how Ernest was almost

lynched, and how he charged the Oscar, Jane, Ed, Rob (Jane's boyfriend), and Ernest for

the crime. When they bring the suspects to the jail, a lynch mob gathers and the Sheriff

abandons the deputy with the prisoners. The deputy is able to protect most of them, but

Rob is taken and lynched. The others are hidden and taken to Atlanta for safety.

The neighbor, Ed, turns state's evidence and testifies that Rob and Ernest raped and killed

Mae. But just as Oscar thinks he might win his case due to lack of evidence , there is a

shocking twist when his sister Jane betrays Oscar and testifies that she saw Oscar take

part in the crime. After the trial ends it's clear that everyone has conspired against him.

When they are brought back for the double execution, Ernest confesses to Oscar that he

and Rob were responsible for the crime, and Oscar struggles to deal with his impending

death. A pastor comes and talks with Oscar about the importance of forgiveness, but he's

unsure if he can forgive his sister or the town's misplaced revenge.

By law, the execution is to be private, but the fence is burnt down, and 5,000 people

come to witness the hangings. Before the hanging Ernest confesses while Oscar

maintains his innocence, and forgives his sister. When the trap doors are released Ernest

dies immediately, but the crowd watches in revulsion as Oscar takes a minute and a half

to die. The Sheriff takes the bodies of Oscar and Ernest and buries them in the same

unmarked pauper's grave with a single coffin to save money.

While this powerful true story takes place over 100 years ago, it still resonates with

today's current issues of unfair treatment of African-American suspects. It brings to light

the covered up history of lynchings and unchecked racism that plagued the country. This

story channels the frustration the Black community feels with justice system, which

doesn't always seem to be justice for all.