In Clanton, Mississippi, the life of the ten-year-old girl is shattered by two drunken & remorseless young men. The mostly white town reacts with shock & horror until her black father acquires an assault rifle & takes justice into his own outraged hands. For ten days, as burning crosses & the crack of sniper fire spreads through the streets of Clanton, the nation sits spellbound while young defense attorney Jake Brigance struggles to save his client's life.... & then his own.