Description
In 1994, a New York writer released a very southern gothic, non-fiction, crime novel. “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil” became a national sensation. John Berendt’s seductive prose and his cast of eccentric characters drew readers into the lush culture of Savannah, Georgia. But the central plot was a scandal from 1981. Semi-closeted socialite, Jim Williams, had shot his lover dead in the study of his home. He went through four trials for the murder of Danny Hanson, a record in Georgia at the time. Berendt’s book became a movie in 1997, directed by Clint Eastwood. Many people don’t know the real story of the Mercer House murder. This is a look at the case, as well as the book and movie that captivated the nation.
Photo Gallery
Show Notes
Hosted and produced by Erica Kelley
Researched by Haley Gray and Erica Kelley
Written by Hannah Newcomb and Erica Kelley
Original Graphic Art by Coley Horner
Original Music by Rob Harrison of Gamma Radio
Edited by Chaes Gray of Gray Multimedia
Sources
https://www.law.umich.edu/special/exoneration/Pages/casedetail.aspx?caseid=4195
https://www.lagrangenews.com/2018/12/17/justice-forgiveness-and-jim-williams/
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/8765/james-arthur-williams
https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/1309300/williams-v-state/?q=danny%20hansford
https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/1345838/williams-v-state/?q=danny%20hansford
Lawyer Games, After Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by Dep Kirkland
https://www.newspapers.com/image/400036940/?terms=danny%20hansford%20fourth%20trial&match=1
Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt
Movie: Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil: directed & produced by Clint Eastwood
26. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Berendt
27. https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/midnight-in-the-garden-of-good-and-evil-1997
28. https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1997-11-21-9711190212-story.html
29. http://www.lakesidepress.com/Savannah-CivilWar/sherman-telegram.html
31. https://www.savannahnow.com/article/20150302/NEWS/303029806
33. https://www.connectsavannah.com/savannah/john-berendt-the-interview/Content?oid=2533800
34. http://www.sgn.org/sgnnews39_24/pdf/Section4%20BOOKS%2006-17-11.pdf34. https://gosouthsavannah.com/history/film/bird-girl.html
36. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0119668/trivia?ref_=tt_trv_trv
37. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:LGBT_writers_from_the_United_States
39. https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/savannahcitygeorgia/IPE120219
40. https://www.savannahnow.com/news/20190407/panel-discusses-race-relations-in-savannah
41. https://ghostcitytours.com/savannah/haunted-places/haunted-houses/mercer-williams-house/