I saw this movie some years ago. I also read the book. The man portrayed by Actor Brian Dennehy was Ken McElroy. The town is Skidmore, Missouri, population 200. This is an amazing story. The movie gives everybody different names to avoid lawsuits. McElroy lives a life of crime. He sired perhaps 6 children by several women. He stole pigs and cattle for a living. He shot two locals. The law failed dismally. He even escaped a traffic ticket by pointing a shotgun in the face of a copy. The cop did not complain. On July 10, 1981 the incompetent court continued/ postponed the case once again. McElroy was on trial for shooting a 70 year old man in the neck. He was out on a tiny bail. The farmers immediately held a meeting at 10 a.m. at the American Legion Hall. Within minutes McElroy came to town and went in the bar. This time he was without his gun. Within seconds, the farmers told him to go home. As soon as McElroy stepped in his fancy pickup truck several shots rang out. They killed him. Nobody was ever prosecuted for this assassination. The townsfolk held tight. McElroy's widown immediately reported the crime. She turned back and saw the assassin. She named him to the police. Nobody would corroborate her story.
My only fear is that some day some do gooder will re-open this case. Justice was served.
Incidentally, while the cops would let McElroy go even when he threatened them with murder and pointed a shotgun right in the face of the cop, these same cops would instead prosecute the farmers for speeding tickets.
The law in this town did not work.
People don't need police.
This story shows you why.
My only fear is that some day some do gooder will re-open this case. Justice was served.
Incidentally, while the cops would let McElroy go even when he threatened them with murder and pointed a shotgun right in the face of the cop, these same cops would instead prosecute the farmers for speeding tickets.
The law in this town did not work.
People don't need police.
This story shows you why.