A storm is forming over the skies of Pickens County. SHERIFF MATT SINCLAIR and his deputy LAWSON HAWTHORNE are hastily leading a man through the streets of Carrollton.... “Pickens County - Carrollton, AL 1878” Come on, let's go get'em! we finally gone get some justice An angry mob arrives outside the courthouse with their pistols, shovels, picks, torches raised--looking up to the garret window. LOCK HIM UP! LOCK HIM UP! Is He in there? He's in there... What the hell we waitin' on? Let's go in there and get him. Hold ya horses. (re: the mob) You see this? He ain't going nowhere. You steal from my family, and burn down our courthouse? Either way, Henry Wells dies tonight. Sheriff Matt and Deputy Hawthorne BURST through the front doors of the courthouse––confronting an unruly mob. Folks please, calm down. I know why you’re here. The man that we believed to have burned down this very courthouse two years ago will face justice. But not like this. Y’all git on home now, let us do our job. That ain’t gonna cut it, Sheriff!!! Now this n--ger burned down our courthouse—killed a man in the process. And y’all just gonna let them get away again? I say we take matters into our own hands.... What say you? You can’t shoot us all. Maybe not. But I’ll shoot you first, Walter. And anyone else who steps through that door. I said we’re doing this my way. Now back off. don't make us do this, Jasper. JASPER tackles Sheriff Matt to the ground. Matt’s head hits the steps—he’s out cold. Sheriff! Sheriff! Come on, wake up! Wh-what’s the matter with y’all? II didn’t do this! I’m innocent! If you kill me, I’ll haunt you for the rest of your lives!