This is one of the most compelling books I have ever read. We're talking about a true story of murder in downtown Birmingham in August of 1921. A Methodist minister killed a Catholic priest, the Rector of St. Paul's Catholic Church on 3rd Avenue North. This was during a time of incredible racial and religious bigotry. I can understand the racial bigotry; it's harder to understand the anti-Catholic prejudice that was prevalent in Birmingham and in the country at large.
People honestly thought that Roman Catholics were scheming to take over the country. The Methodist minister was incensed that his daughter had become a Catholic and had married a Puerto Rican---so incensed that he murdered the marrying priest on his front porch in broad daylight.
The author is a lawyer and the account of the trial is riveting. I won't divulge the verdict, but you can guess that in Alabama in 1921 in this atmosphere it wasn't Birmingham's finest hour.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story. This is the first I've ever heard of this. It's not something Birmingham should be proud of.
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