In May 1985, Darryl Hunt, a Black teenager in Winston-Salem, N.C. was falsely convicted and sentenced to life in prison for the rape and murder of a young white copyeditor at the local paper. In 2003, an award-winning series of articles led to the DNA evidence that exonerated Hunt. Part true crime drama, part chronicle of a remarkable life cut short by systemic prejudice, this book powerfully illuminates the sustained catastrophe faced by an innocent person in prison and the civil death every ex-prisoner experiences attempting to restart their lives.

The first lie -- The Blues Brothers -- Darker than blue -- She trusted the police -- A decent life -- A high-stakes game -- We were not absolutely sure -- A chamber of horrors -- What in the fuck is going on? -- Larry, I can't do it -- Life's blood ran in the grass -- We will not give up -- In this life or another -- A closer look -- Without bitterness -- Time for me to speak -- A public face -- The golden egg -- Back in the swamp -- I worried people.