The End of August

A serial killer is stalking Jackson Junction! A serial killer who has murdered three elderly people who have played controversial roles in the life of August (Augie) Hans Kruger. Augie and his older cousin Willie find themselves as the prime suspects of the three murders by Jackson Junction Police Chief Junior Phillips who will do anything within his power to see the Krugers sent to prison for the rest of their lives. Ironically that's exactly the goal of the serial killer at least in the case of Augie Kruger. And if the serial killer can't see Augie found guilty of the murders and sent to prison the only other recourse will be to have Augie murdered as well. Augie starts the month of August 1970 simply planning a family reunion on the 31st to resolve some feuds mend some fences and bring all the Krugers American and German back into one happy fold. That in itself seems to be an impossibility since nobody is ready to raise a white flag first. However August of 1970 turns out to be the hottest month in the history of Augie's home town of Jackson Junction. And not just hot with 90-degree temperatures. The heat really gets turned up when Augie and his older cousin Willie are arrested and charged with the three murders. A trial must be held in a hot and humid court room jammed to capacity with spectators newspaper radio and television reporters and a jury which must try to survive death threats from one of its own members if they don't vote guilty. Ron a famous defense attorney from Florida has promised Augie and Willie that neither will ever go to prison. However Barbara Jackson Junction's first woman prosecutor is just as sure that she can send the Kruger cousins to prison for the rest of their lives. And Barbara looks to have the upper hand when she announces that she has a secret eye-witness who will testify to seeing Augie and Willie stab at least two of the murder victims to death.