Chapter 10, The Second Summer Summary and Analysis

Kerner continued his investigation that summer, finally speaking to Willie Barnett, a possible alibi witness for Ward. Although Barnett admitted to being at Tommy Ward's house the night in question, he appeared unwilling to say so in court. At the same time, Kerner tracked down all the people Tommy Ward mentioned to Wyatt as possible suspects. One of these seemed nervous when Kerner talked to him, making Kerner suspicious. Kerner also spoke to Marty Ashley, and even took a picture of his truck, but discovered Ashley had a believable alibi for the night in question. Kerner also found a truck belonging to Larry Jett, one of the suspects named by Tommy Ward; however, one of the eyewitnesses, Jack Paschall, refused to pick either truck as being the one he'd seen that night.

The prosecutor and...