Case facts

Even as a teenager, Jim Williams was an extraordinary entrepreneur.

When Jim came to Savannah after he left the Air Force, he often didn’t have enough money to buy food.

Jim hung out at the Greyhound bus station looking for attractive underage boys to “befriend.”

Since Jim did not come from an “old Savannah family” or “old money,” he found ways to insert himself into Savannah high society that were immoral and illegal.

One of Jim Williams’ houses was reputedly the most haunted house in Savannah.

The excellent restorations of historic buildings that made Jim Williams famous did not make him rich. It was the antiques business that made his fortune.

Despite his wealth, Jim engaged in numerous frauds.

Jim had loaded pistols in every room of Mercer House and many thousands of dollars in cash stashed in various hiding places.

Danny Hansford was right when he said that his mother was trying to get rid of him—and for good reason.

Danny Hansford’s girlfriend, Debbie, opened up to investigators about her unusual sex life with Danny.

Danny was afraid that Williams was attracted to Debbie.

Even though Debbie was never called to testify, what she told investigators gives key clues to what likely happened the night of the killing.

A juror in one of the Jim Williams’ trials pointed out a piece of evidence that prosecutors and defense attorneys had all missed.

It was only by chance that the legendary attorney Sonny Seiler learned of the key evidence that changed the outcome of the last trial.

The fourth trial was the last one the Jim Williams could get.

Jim’s will left $10 and rights to his papers and his Psycho Dice game to his only sibling.

Jim Williams had a royalty-sharing contract with author John Berendt that continues to benefit the Williams’ estate.