THE RECKONING
Pete Banning was Clanton, Mississippi's favorite son, a decorated World War II hero, the patriarch of a prominent family, a farmer, father, neighbor, and a faithful member of the Methodist church. Then one cool October morning he rose early, drove into town, and committed a shocking crime. Pete's only statement about it to the sheriff, to his lawyers, to the judge, to the jury, and to his family was: I have nothing to say. He was not afraid of death and was willing to take his motive to the grave.