
Wallace a wealthy landowner in Meriwether County, Georgia, has virtually unlimited power in the county, including having the sheriff under his control. When he murders a share cropper he thinks that he is powerful enough to get away with it. Because the act of murder took place in Coweta County, it is under the jurisdiction of the Coweta County sheriff who hunts the murderer without trepidation.

Johnny Cash
Lamar Potts

Andy Griffith
John Wallace

Earl Hindman
J.H. Potts
Ed Van Nuys
Huddleston

Robert Schenkkan
Wilson Turner
Jo Henderson
Josephine Wallace
Daniel Keyes
Elzie Hancock

Danny Nelson
Sheriff Hardy Collier

Norman Matlock
Albert Brooks

Brent Jennings
Robert Lee Gates

June Carter Cash
Mayhayley Lancaster
James Neale
A. L. Henson
Earl Poole Ball
Steve Smith

Dan Biggers
Judge Boykin

Marc Clement
J.C. Otwell

Bill Crabb
Strickland Cousin
Stuart Culpepper
Tom Strickland
Charles Darden
Gas Thief
Doug Dillingham
Deputy #2

Bobby Dunn
Liquor Runner
Gary Nelson
Dennis Nemec
Released