In a courthouse in sweltering downtown Memphis, the charming and dapper Lee Filderman is leading the defense team. Memphis's own F. Lee Bailey makes hearts flutter and women swoon as he delivers his opening statements.

It's up to the young, and untried Carrie Bryant to take on the legal mastermind. The tiny little dynamo heads the Prosecutor's team as The State of Tennessee versus Hunter Lee Baron III presents their opening arguments.

No one could argue that Lee Filderman failed to make a spectacular entrance - or exit - under Judge Chris Craft's watchful eye, with CNN, Harvey Levin, Nancy Grace and the rest of the nation glued to their seats.

It's the biggest trial to hit Memphis since the Alice Mitchell trial for the brutal slaying of Freda Ward, in 1892...

Want to follow along with our narrator?

Copies of the book in both kindle and paper-based formats are available at most on-line retailers including ⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ and Barnes & Noble. A limited amount of autographed copies are available at the ⁠⁠⁠⁠Novel bookstore⁠⁠⁠⁠ at 387 Perkins Extd in Memphis, TN Want to get the real Memphis flavor? Read our chapter notes for more information about the famous people and places in our Bluff city on the banks of the Mississippi.

Chapter Notes

There's nothing more authentically Memphis than the Rendezvous restaurant. Situated in an alley downtown, ⁠Charlie Vergos' Rendevous⁠ has been serving up world famous BBQ for generations.

This ⁠World War II veteran⁠ helped put Memphis on the culinary map.

For more about the this Memphis landmark:

"⁠Rendezvous Ribs: A Memphis Barbecue Tradition⁠," Southern Living Magazine article from 2023

Oral history project: ⁠Interview with John Vergo⁠. Southern Foodways Alliance

Tennessee Crossroads episode, "⁠Charlie Vergo's Rendezvous Ribs⁠" on YouTube Kevin Kelley's ⁠BBQ INTERVIEW - John Vergos - Charlie Vergos Rendezvous - Memphis, TN [EXCLUSIVE]⁠⁠Elvis's Graceland and Rendezvous Ribs⁠ on YouTube. It's a winning combination

Tags: #WhoisCarrieBryant #LeeFilderman #DeathofasouthernBelle #MurderofaMemphissocialite #LifeandDeathofBelleBaron #HarveyLevin #NancyGrace #TMZscandals #CNNstories #themodernFLeeBailey #CriminalDefense #OpeningStatements #TrialoftheCentury #TragicAccidentvsBrutalCalculatedMurder #MemphisMurdersandScandals #HighSocietyMurder #Crime

*Explicit language warning* There is explicit language contained within this book. There is also racially and culturally offensive terminology and language used within of historical context by some of the characters contained within this book. This is used to portray the thoughts, actions and beliefs of the characters. This does not reflect the beliefs of the author, nor any of the other people involved in the production of this book.

Hunter Baron holds court from a hospital room in Nashville while the local music community comes to his defense.

Narrated by Zeporiah Gray of RMP Studios in Memphis, Tennessee.

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*Explicit language warning* There is explicit language contained within this book. There is also racially and culturally offensive terminology and language used within of historical context by some of the characters contained within this book. This is used to portray the thoughts, actions and beliefs of the characters. This does not reflect the beliefs of the author, nor any of the other people involved in the production of this book.

Want to follow along?

Copies of the book in both kindle and paper-based formats are available at most on-line retailers including ⁠⁠Amazon.com⁠⁠ and Barnes & Noble. A limited amount of autographed copies are available at the ⁠⁠Novel bookstore⁠⁠ at 387 Perkins Extd in Memphis, TN .

Chapter notes

The Lorraine Motel is more than the site of the assignation of Martin Luther King, Jr. It is also a African American hotel that was open to travelers during the times of segregation and sundown towns. It was featured in the African American travel guide, "The Negro Motorists Green Book." While this book was popularized by a medicre move of the same name, "The Green Book," it was a must-have for the safety of African American travelers for much of the 20th century.

About the Lorraine Motel

The Civil Rights Museum - Memphis, TN See inside the Lorraine Motel - at cat country

What happened at the Lorraine Motel? - National Park Service More about April 4th, 1968 - Garry Marshall Theater

Pride (in the name of love) massive popular 1984 hit song by Irish bank, U2 about event. The Negro Motorist Green Book - Link to Smithsonian site

Historical Database of Sundown Towns Sundown towns were not a rarity in the United States and they persisted well into the 1960's. Contrary to popular stereotypes, they were NOT confined to the southern portion of the United States. Racist beliefs and racially motivated murders in these "sundown" towns occurred across the United States. This historical database shows the widespread nature of this murderous behavior. Take a look at the map and look for your hometown.