Spencer Lawton, the Savannah prosecutor who tried ‘Midnight in the Garden’ case, dies at 81

Associated Press

SAVANNAH, Ga. (AP) — The Georgia prosecutor who tried the murder case made famous by the book “Midnight In The Garden of Good and Evil” has died. Gamble Funeral Service says former Chatham County District Attorney Spencer Lawton Jr. died Wednesday at his home in Savannah. He was 81. Lawton served nearly three decades as the Savannah area’s top prosecutor and was known as a champion of expanding rights for crime victims. He became best known for a case that began during his first year in office. In 1981, Lawton indicted Savannah antiques dealer Jim Williams on murder charges for shooting a young man inside his home. Williams’ four trials formed the core of John Berendt’s 1994 bestseller.