Mississippi Trial, 1955

The time leading up to the trial drags slowly for Hiram and his anxiety heightens. The news comes out that the grand jury indicted Milam and Bryant for both murder and kidnapping. The trial is scheduled to start September 19th. Hiram thinks “Nine days. Only nine days to decide whether or not I’d tell the truth if I had to sit in the witness chair” (149). While at the courthouse with Grampa, Hiram goes down to see Mr. Paul, who obliquely gives him advice about how to handle the trial. He tells him that he needs to assess what is right and wrong and “make yourself do the right thing. Do that and no matter what happens, no matter what people say, you’ll have no regrets” (152). That night, at the bridge, Naomi does not show, so Hiram is left to deal with his thoughts and conscience on his own. He formulates the resolve to do what is right and he knows that is to testify and tell the truth if called upon during the trial.