Heath, infuriated at the mistreatment of an Indian war hero that results in his death, confronts the men who tormented him. One of the men is killed, but Heath has been knocked unconscious, did not see what happened and doesn't remember what led up to it. He is charged with murder and wants Jarrod to defend him, but two of the men who tormented the Indian are swearing Heath did the killing.
Jarrod knows he doesn't have a leg to stand on in his brother's defense, especially when the prosecutor who is known for pulling out all the stops for the benefit of his own political career shows up. Miraculously (?) Jarrod's old friend and political rival of the prosecutor shows up to "help" defend Heath. Jarrod knows he needs the help, but neither he nor Heath likes the tactics. Jarrod will accept them, but Heath won't, because they don't get at the truth - did he kill the dead man himself? Jarrod relents and goes looking for the one missing witness who might know what really happened.
Walter Burke to the rescue, even if he doesn't want to be there. God bless this great character actor with a face that looked like it was too long in the dryer. Jarrod retakes the case from his old friend, much to the old friend's disapproval, and gives a smashing example of how to examine a hostile witness on the stand. With Richard Long and Walter Burke on his side, Heath is guaranteed to find out the truth and the truth will set him free, from jail and from his own doubts.
Jarrod knows he doesn't have a leg to stand on in his brother's defense, especially when the prosecutor who is known for pulling out all the stops for the benefit of his own political career shows up. Miraculously (?) Jarrod's old friend and political rival of the prosecutor shows up to "help" defend Heath. Jarrod knows he needs the help, but neither he nor Heath likes the tactics. Jarrod will accept them, but Heath won't, because they don't get at the truth - did he kill the dead man himself? Jarrod relents and goes looking for the one missing witness who might know what really happened.
Walter Burke to the rescue, even if he doesn't want to be there. God bless this great character actor with a face that looked like it was too long in the dryer. Jarrod retakes the case from his old friend, much to the old friend's disapproval, and gives a smashing example of how to examine a hostile witness on the stand. With Richard Long and Walter Burke on his side, Heath is guaranteed to find out the truth and the truth will set him free, from jail and from his own doubts.