Murder in Coweta County

My mother is from Meriwether County Georgia. I was first introduced to this book as a youngster and have listened to the oral accounts from my grandmother and other relatives and friends who were there to witness these events first hand. I own the video and the book. I am fascinated by the wit and demeanor of Sheriff Lamar Potts. I took pleasure in reading this book and watching the video because I am familiar with the area and I could go to actual people who were and still are living in the area at that time and listen to thier stories about this gruesome murder. The made for TV Movie was the topping on the cake! Margaret Barnes' detailed description of the events puts you right in place as though you were there in the 1940's. I highly recommend this book for all who want to know a part of history in rural Georgia.

I saw the television movie prior to reading the book and was blown away by the superb acting done by Johnny Cash and Andy Griffith. Never would I have believed that the Sheriff of Mayberry could be so cruel and brutal. Upon reading the book, I was struck by the closeness with which the movie tracked with the book. My list of heroes was growing rather short but Sheriff Potts became a permanent addition. His dedication, perseverance and honesty represent the best of those qualities we seek in a public servant. It's a pity he can't be cloned. Buy the book, see the movie and be impressed.

This is one of the most gripping true crime stories I have ever read and I have read many,many of these. This wonderful story relates actual incidents during a horrendous, brutal murder, undeluted arrogance of power, sheer stupidy on the part of the perpetrator and a brave sheriff whose singular determination to arrest and prosecute the offender will warm the heart of anyone with a sense of justice and equality for those of us with a lesser standing in a community.

This is a great story with great characters and like all good true stories, its better than fiction. For those who would read it, understand it is NOT, as some reviewers suggest, a commentary on Southern oppression. It is instead a great account of good actually winning over evil. The sort of corruption represented by the land baron in this story could be found in every State of Union during the period discussed. This book is not about racism (the victim was white) but was instead about the abuse of power on one hand and the contrast of honor on the other. It is NOT about the South, though the incident occurred in Georgia. It is about right vs. wrong. That even applies in the historically corrupt, post-depression Northern regions of the U.S. It is a great read about a honorable law man standing against criminal behavior and political corruption. Don't miss it if you enjoy true crime and great characters and you like to admire honorable Southern Sheriffs who will stop at nothing to do what is right.

The former reviewer obviously didn't actually read the book, or is blinded by his prejudice against the South. I'm sure brutal murders and people thinking they are above the law never happen where he lives...yeah, right. Don't be a fool; and don't miss this book because you think it's all ugly; it's not just a story of brutality, but of justice pursued and won. Lamar Potts, the sheriff of Coweta County, was a true hero and it was his determination that brought Wallace, the murderer who "owned" Meriwether County and thought that made him above the law, to justice. One of the first cases in the US inside OR out of the South where the testimony of two black men sent a white murderer to the electric chair. The participation of Mayhayley Lancaster, a well-known and well-respected local midwife and fortuneteller in the case is also very interesting. My father grew up in Coweta and knew many of the participants personally; my grandmother attended the trial. According to their firsthand reports, this book and its portrayals of the events and personalities involved is dead-on.