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.

If you like our podcast, TELL a friend. In the time it takes to LIKE a podcast, you can SHARE a podcast. It costs nothing, yet it helps us to attract advertisers to defray production costs.

*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.

Marnie and Hunter Baron intersect, once again as she covers Memphis' trial of the century and the scandal surrounding the death of the matriarch of the Baron family. As Marnie begins her research into the case, a darker portrait of the Memphis playboy begins to emerge.

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

If you like our podcast, TELL a friend. In the time it takes to LIKE a podcast, you can SHARE a podcast. It costs nothing, yet it helps us to attract advertisers to defray production costs. *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.

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 Links

Beale Street is much more than it's current configeration of bars, music and restaurant. For more than 100 years, Beale Street was the heart of the African- American business community.

People like Robert Reed Church, the first African- American millionaire in the United States frequented the Beale Street business district.

Visiting Memphis? Want to see the famed Beale Street for yourself? These links will tell you all about the current attractions on Beale Street and it's history.

Walking in Memphis - Things to do on Beale Street

Beale Street Memphis - the official page for Beale Street

Beale Street - Memphis Travel

For more information on Robert Reed Church, and Memphis history, we encourage listeners to stay tuned for our next production, "The Princes of Shelby County" which follows a prominent family of Memphis politicians over a 150 year period.

Marnie starts over, again. After finally finding her feet writing for Wine & Cheese magazine, Neil Chase of the San Jose Mercury offers Marnie the story of a lifetime. But it means she will have to go back to Memphis and confront the demons of her past, and those of Hunter Baron III.

Narrated by Ms. Zeporia Gray of RMP Studios in Memphis, Tennessee.

If you like our program, TELL someone about it. In the time it takes to like a podcast, you could SHARE a podcast. It costs nothing, and it helps us attract advertisers to defray our costs.

*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 Extended in Memphis, TN .

Episode Links:

San Jose Mercury - Marnie's on loan to the fifth largest newspaper in the United States. The San Jose Mercury is changing with the times, but still has a history of award winning journalism. Previous investigative articles included "Dark Alliance", a series of investigative articles by reporter Gary Webb, (later compiled into a book) which linked the CIA to the explosion of crack cocaine in the late 1980's and early 1990's.

The University of Memphis, formerly Memphis State University and the West Tennessee Normal is a large public university with over 20,000 students. Well-known for the law school, the University of Memphis was desegregated in 1959.

Like many southern schools, the University of Memphis has a rich Greek student life. The Gamma Chi chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho was chartered at the University of Memphis on August 17, 1968.

College sports are also an important part of campus, student and community life.

The University of Memphis Tigers basketball team has long been known for their excellence, with former student and NBA player, Penny Hardaway now leading the Tigers to victory.

The University of Memphis along with most Tennessee colleges and universities is part of the Tennessee Promise scholarship program.

Royal Studios, Papa Mitchell and Hunter Baron III have a parting of ways.

Narrated by Memphis native, Zeporia Gray of Real Music Pro Studios.

*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.

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: Memphis - the city of music

Best live music venues - LaFayette's Music Room. LaFayette's profile as featured on Memphis Travel. Located in mid-town Memphis, LaFayette's is surrounded by chic bars and restaurants in the hipster part of town.

For a more low profile occasion, head to Neil's Music Room in East Memphis. Unfortunately, Neil was recently arrested on tax charges, but hopefully this is resolved quickly - and he's back at the helm. If you are feeling up for a trip to the famous, and always lively Beale Street - there are a flurry of favorites. The original B.B. Kings, which hosts plenty of well-known artists - as a rite of passage, almost. The Band Box is the closest thing to an authentic "juke joint" on Beale Street and is attached to the Blues City Cafe, which serves several southern favorites.

You can head over to Jerry Lee Lewis's farther down the street. Jerry's no longer there, but that's probably a good thing. His appearances in the last few years were marked by drunken arguments and tantrums.

If you have the chance, plan ahead to attend Memphis in May's Beale Street Music festival. It's three days, hundreds of musical acts - multiple stages, and (even!) a Blues tent. But, out-of-towners beware, the festival is also known as "Memphis in Mud" due to the region's frequent spring showers.

Hunter Baron III settles down as a family man.

Narrated by Ms. Zeporia Gray of RMP Studios in Memphis, Tennessee.

If you like our program, TELL someone about it. In the time it takes to like a podcast, you could SHARE a podcast. It costs nothing, and it helps us attract advertisers to defray our costs.

*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 Extended in Memphis, TN .

Memphis Landmarks

Dyer's Burgers and 100 year old grease on "Hamburger America"

More about this Beale street favorite on The Pohto Southern Cooking channel

Recipe for a Dyer's fan favorite from Ballistic BBQ.

More about Dyer's Burgers.

"Dyer's Burgers and Their Century Old Grease Are a Thing of Memphis Legend," Southern Living article from 2022.

CNN travel feature (April 2023).

Article from the Burger Beast, (2023).