On a May night in 1843, John Castner was lured away from his home by a visitor that his wife, Marie Parke-Castner and his father-in-law, wealthy John B. Parke never saw at the door. John Castner was a cautious man who seldom left his house after dark, fearful that the significant sum of money kept in the house by his father-in-law would one day bring misfortune.

When the sun rose, John Castner had not returned to his home and the inhabitants within had fallen victim to an unknown assailant, the only exception a young farm hand living with them who the murderer had left bloodied and dazed but still alive.

This is their story and that of the subsequent trials of two young men who to this day are believed to have been falsely accused of the crime.