The Last Juror

About “The Last Juror”

In 1970, The Ford County Times, a weekly newspaper in Mississippi, went bankrupt and was bought by 23-year-old Willie Traynor, a college dropout. The paper's future seemed uncertain until Traynor reported on the brutal rape and murder of a young mother by a member of the Padgitt family. His coverage helped the newspaper gain popularity. Danny Padgitt, the murderer, was tried in Clanton, Mississippi, and found guilty despite his threat of revenge against the jurors. He was sentenced to life in prison. However, nine years later, Padgitt was paroled and returned to Ford County, setting the stage for further conflict.