The Pursuit of Murieta

Its 1853. The notorious bandit Joaquin Murieta and his gang of desperadoes have ravaged infant state of California for the last three years. Now Murieta has had enough and wants to return to his wife in Mexico. Skirting the small adobe town of Los Angeles he has no idea that a small band of California Rangers led by Ambrose Quick a politically ambitious man of strong conscience and moral fiber are after a suspect who murdered a deputy sheriff. They have good reason to believe that murderer is Murieta. After an exhausting chase through the Santa Susanna Mountains the Rangers grievously wound Murieta that hot August evening but he refuses to tell them his name or answer their questions-until the brandy they give him for the pain loosens his tongue and he tells them he didnt kill any deputy but that he is Joaquin Murieta. But not all of the Rangers believe him! Reward-hungry Ned Needle is convinced they have the real Murieta. Addie Moody a prostitute with vengeance in her heart who demanded to come with the Rangers desperately wants to believe for her troubled souls sake. But Quick must decide. And all he has is Murietas word -- his confession -- which Murieta has given him to take to a priest because the bandit knows hes dying. In an ironic twist Quicks decision costs him dearly. This fast-paced historical Western re-imagines the legend of Murieta Californias first infamous outlaw.