Louisville, Kentucky, 1853. A classroom dispute spirals out of control when 15-year-old William Ward is punished by his teacher, William Butler, for allegedly eating chestnuts during class. The next day, tensions peak as Ward’s brother, Matthews, confronts Butler with a pistol.
As the confrontation turns violent, Matthews shoots Butler in front of the students. Robert Ward Jr., armed with a knife, threatens those who try to intervene. The brothers flee, leaving Butler mortally wounded. The tragedy shakes the community, and the Ward brothers are swiftly arrested.
The trial in Hardin County captivates the nation. Despite overwhelming evidence against them, Matthews and Robert Jr. are acquitted, sparking outrage and debate over justice and gun laws, particularly in the South. Amidst public condemnation, the case lingers as a dark chapter in American history.
