A Time to Kill

A Time to Kill is a searing courtroom thriller by John Grisham. Based on a true story Grisham has
witnessed, the author poses questions of morality and racism.The story begins when the small
town of Clanton, Fort County is shaken by the brutal rape of 10 year old black Tonya Hailey by
two remorseful young white men. Carl Lee Hailey, Tonya’s father, outraged by the violent crime,
shoots the two boys responsible for the crime the minute they emerge in the courtroom for their
court hearing. He is then charged with murder and faces the probability of death sentence. Jake
Brigance, the defense attorney struggles to save his client’s life while trying to survive with his
own plight. Given the fact that the little town of the South is mostly inhabited by white people,
the new attorney has to give a fight to defend his black client. Racism matters arise and the
citizens witness extreme incidents of violence. Brigance and his fellow attorneys decide to
defend Carl Lee using insanity defence. The defense’s expert, a depraved, retired psychiatrist is
discredited on the stand, rendering the insanity plea virtually hopeless. However, the charismatic
attorney succeeds in sensitizing the jurors while delivering his closing arguments. In the end, the
jury proclaims Carl Lee not guilty and the whole black community revels. Jake Brigance broke by
victorious reunites with his family.