In February 1970, Kya is led into the bright, crowded courtroom, shackled and nauseated by the attention. She sits beside her attorney, Tom Milton, who reassures her. The narrative recalls Tom coming out of retirement to represent her pro bono, and how he slowly gained her trust in jail by bringing a shell book and explaining courtroom procedures with drawings.

The courtroom is overflowing with townspeople and reporters. Details of the historic courthouse and its fixtures, including the courthouse cat Sunday Justice, emphasize the community spectacle. Officials take their places: Bailiff Hank Jones, court recorder Henrietta Jones, and prosecutor Eric Chastain.

Judge Harold Sims denies Tom’s motion to move the trial, asserting fairness can be maintained locally. He formally charges Kya with first-degree murder of Chase Andrews and notes the state will seek the death penalty, which unsettles Kya. Jury selection begins as Sunday Justice hops onto the judge’s bench.

During voir dire, former truant officer Sally Culpepper discloses prior dealings with Kya but promises objectivity and remains on the panel. Kya remembers evading truancy officers years earlier. By late morning, seven women and five men are seated, including Sally Culpepper and Teresa White, the preacher’s wife who once shunned Kya. Court recesses for lunch, underscoring the ordinary cadence amid life-and-death stakes.