Trial Of Jesse Hill Ford, Interview With Author At Courthouse About His Killing of African American Man, George Henry Doaks Jr.

In 1971, Ford shot a black soldier, Pvt. George Henry Doaks Jr., 19, he believed was a threat to his 17-year-old son, Charles, when he saw Doaks' car parked on his private driveway.[1] Coincidentally, the man's female companion was a relative of the woman who had served as the basis for The Liberation of Lord Byron Jones. He also contributed guest columns to USA Today in 1989 and 1990, after changing from political liberal to conservative.He was initially indicted on a charge of first degree murder by a Gibson County Grand Jury and released on $20,000 bond at the preliminary hearing.