Zenith Man: Death, Love, and Redemption in a Georgia Courtroom

'Was this a case of murder-or a most unusual love story?' --Bill Kurtis, A&E's American Justice. In October 1997, the town of Ringgold in northwest Georgia was shaken by reports of a murder in its midst. A dead woman was found in the home of reclusive local Alvin Ridley. Even more shocking, she was the wife few knew he had. McCracken Poston had been a state representative before he lost his bid for U.S. Congress and returned to his law career. Alvin once sold and serviced Zenith televisions. Poston took on the task of defending him-little realizing the highly unusual challenges that lay ahead. Gradually, Poston pieced together the full story behind Virginia and Alvin's curious marriage and her cause of death-which was completely overlooked by law enforcement. His groundbreaking defense allowed Alvin to remain a free man. Years later, Alvin was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, a revelation that sheds light on how easily those who don't fit societal norms can be castigated and misunderstood. Compelling and thought-provoking, Zenith Man chronicles a quest that changed-and perhaps saved-the lives of two very different men.