Furious Hours Summary

How does a preacher accused of murder, a courtroom shooting, and a reclusive literary genius intersect in one of the most bizarre true-crime stories of the 20th century?

1. A Preacher with a Trail of Death

William Maxwell, a Baptist preacher in Alabama, was surrounded by a string of suspicious deaths. Over the course of seven years, six people close to him died under mysterious circumstances. Each death seemed to benefit Maxwell financially, as he collected life insurance payouts for every victim.

Maxwell’s first wife, Mary Lou, was found beaten to death in her car in 1970. Though he was indicted for her murder, the case fell apart when a key witness, Dorcas Anderson, changed her testimony. Just months later, Maxwell married Dorcas, raising eyebrows in the community. This pattern of sudden deaths continued, with Maxwell’s brother, second wife, and even his stepdaughter all dying in ways that defied explanation.

Despite the suspicions, Maxwell was never convicted of any crime. His ability to evade justice was attributed to a mix of legal maneuvering, lack of evidence, and even rumors of voodoo practices. The community grew increasingly fearful of him, believing that anyone close to Maxwell could be his next victim.

Examples

• Mary Lou Maxwell’s death led to Maxwell collecting $100,000 in life insurance.
• Dorcas Anderson, once a witness against Maxwell, became his second wife shortly after her husband’s death.
• Maxwell’s stepdaughter, Shirley Ann, was found crushed under her car, adding to the growing list of mysterious fatalities.

2. The Role of Life Insurance in Maxwell’s Crimes

Maxwell’s financial gain from the deaths of his loved ones was no coincidence. He held multiple life insurance policies on each victim, and he aggressively pursued payouts after their deaths. This financial motive became a key factor in the suspicions surrounding him.

After Mary Lou’s death, Maxwell filed claims with ten different insurance companies. Though some companies initially refused to pay, Maxwell’s lawyer, Tom Radney, helped him win nearly all the cases. Over the years, Maxwell amassed hundreds of thousands of dollars from these policies, yet he continued to live modestly and work multiple jobs, further fueling speculation about his true intentions.

The insurance companies were often reluctant to investigate Maxwell’s claims thoroughly, as they lacked concrete evidence of foul play. This allowed Maxwell to exploit the system repeatedly, turning the deaths of his family members into a lucrative scheme.

Examples

• Maxwell’s lawyer, Tom Radney, successfully sued insurance companies that initially denied payouts.
• Maxwell’s cousin, James Hicks, was another victim whose death resulted in a significant insurance payout.
• Despite his growing wealth, Maxwell failed to pay off his debts, raising questions about his financial priorities.

3. The Community’s Fear and Belief in Voodoo

Maxwell’s reputation as a voodoo practitioner added an eerie layer to the story. Many in the community believed that he used supernatural powers to commit his crimes and evade justice. These rumors made him a figure of both fear and fascination.

Stories circulated about Maxwell painting his doorstep with blood to ward off police and casting spells on those who crossed him. While these claims were never proven, they reflected the community’s desperation to explain how Maxwell could continue his alleged killing spree without consequences. This belief in voodoo also played a role in the trial of Robert Burns, the man who ultimately killed Maxwell.

Burns’s lawyer argued that Maxwell’s voodoo practices had driven Burns to temporary insanity, leading him to shoot Maxwell in a fit of rage. This defense resonated with the jury, highlighting how deeply the community’s fear of Maxwell had taken root.

Examples

• Maxwell was rumored to have cast spells on people who looked directly into his eyes.
• His painted doorstep was seen as a protective barrier against law enforcement.
• The insanity defense in Burns’s trial hinged on the belief in Maxwell’s supernatural powers.

4. The Dramatic End of William Maxwell

Maxwell’s reign of terror ended in a shocking act of vigilante justice. At the funeral of his stepdaughter, Shirley Ann, Robert Burns shot Maxwell in front of 300 witnesses. This act was both a personal vendetta and a reflection of the community’s frustration with the legal system’s failure to stop Maxwell.

Burns, Shirley Ann’s adopted uncle, had grown increasingly angry over Maxwell’s suspected involvement in her death. During the funeral, Shirley Ann’s sister accused Maxwell of murder, prompting Burns to pull out a gun and shoot him three times in the head. The community, long terrified of Maxwell, saw Burns as a hero rather than a criminal.

The trial that followed was equally dramatic. Burns’s lawyer, Tom Radney, who had previously represented Maxwell, argued that Burns was temporarily insane due to Maxwell’s voodoo practices. The jury agreed, and Burns was acquitted, leaving the community to grapple with the moral implications of his actions.

Examples

• Burns shot Maxwell during Shirley Ann’s funeral, in front of hundreds of witnesses.
• The jury’s verdict of temporary insanity reflected the community’s belief in Maxwell’s evil influence.
• Burns’s acquittal was celebrated by locals who saw him as a hero.

5. Harper Lee’s Fascination with the Case

Harper Lee, the reclusive author of To Kill a Mockingbird, was drawn to the Maxwell case as a potential subject for her long-awaited second book. She spent years researching the story, attending Burns’s trial and interviewing key figures involved.

Lee’s interest in the case stemmed from her dissatisfaction with Truman Capote’s In Cold Blood, which she had helped research. She wanted to write a true-crime book that was both accurate and compelling, without the embellishments that had marred Capote’s work. The Maxwell case, with its mix of murder, greed, and superstition, seemed like the perfect subject.

Despite her extensive research, Lee never completed the book. The reasons remain unclear, but they likely included the challenges of finding reliable information and her own struggles with perfectionism and self-doubt.

Examples

• Lee attended Robert Burns’s trial and took detailed notes on the proceedings.
• She interviewed Tom Radney, Maxwell’s lawyer, to understand his perspective.
• Lee’s letters reveal her frustration with the lack of concrete facts about the case.

6. The Challenges of Writing True Crime

Lee’s attempt to write about the Maxwell case highlighted the difficulties of true-crime writing. Unlike fiction, true crime requires meticulous research and a commitment to accuracy, which can be challenging when dealing with unreliable sources and incomplete records.

In the Maxwell case, many of the key players were African American, and their lives were poorly documented by the predominantly white authorities. This lack of official records forced Lee to rely on oral histories, which were often colored by fear and superstition. Additionally, the community’s belief in voodoo made it difficult to separate fact from fiction.

Lee’s perfectionism also played a role in her inability to complete the book. She was determined to avoid the mistakes she believed Capote had made, but this commitment to accuracy may have ultimately paralyzed her.

Examples

• Lee struggled to verify details about Maxwell’s alleged victims due to incomplete records.
• Many of her sources believed in Maxwell’s use of voodoo, complicating her research.
• Lee’s letters reveal her frustration with the challenges of writing true crime.

7. The Legacy of Harper Lee

Despite never completing her second book, Harper Lee’s legacy remains tied to her groundbreaking novel To Kill a Mockingbird. The Maxwell case, however, offers a glimpse into her unfulfilled potential as a true-crime writer.

Lee’s decision to pursue the Maxwell story reflects her deep interest in justice and morality, themes that also defined Mockingbird. Her inability to finish the book is a reminder of the challenges faced by even the most talented writers, particularly when dealing with complex and sensitive subjects.

While Lee’s true-crime project remains unfinished, her work on the Maxwell case has inspired others to tell the story, ensuring that it will not be forgotten.

Examples

• Lee’s research on the Maxwell case spanned five years, demonstrating her dedication.
• Her letters reveal her passion for justice and her frustration with the limitations of true-crime writing.
• The publication of Furious Hours by Casey Cep brings Lee’s unfinished project to light.

Takeaways

1. True-crime writing requires a balance between accuracy and storytelling. Avoid embellishing facts, but ensure the narrative remains engaging.
2. Perfectionism can hinder creativity. Focus on progress rather than perfection to avoid getting stuck.
3. Stories of injustice, like the Maxwell case, remind us of the importance of accountability and the dangers of unchecked power.