It took 10 months to indict someone for the shooting death of Capitol Chevrolet owner Haynie Gourley. That “someone” was Bill Powell, Gourley’s business partner, who had taken his boss and “father figure” for a ride on that Friday morning, May 24, 1968.
There wasn’t much physical evidence to pin on Powell, but investigators and the district attorney thought his ambush robbery tale didn’t add up.
The trial would feature courthouse legends Jack Norman Sr., John J. Hooker, Cecil Branstetter and Tom Shriver.
It was a hot ticket during a hot summer, with just 64 seats available to the public. No cameras were allowed, but the entire city could read every word of the testimony printed daily in the Nashville Banner and The Tennessean.