This character's real name was Danny Hansford, who was shot to death by Jim Williams in the Mercer House in Savannah, Georgia. Although originally built and owned by the family of songwriter/composer Johnny Mercer, this house has become most famous in the book and movie, "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil," as the scene Danny Hansford's murder. Recent Posts. Opinion for Williams v. State, 298 S.E.2d 492, 250 Ga. 463 — Brought to you by Free Law Project, a non-profit dedicated to creating high quality open legal information. Cached; In a career spanning 33 years, Williams bought and restored more than fifty historic buildings in Savannah, saving them from further decay or even demolition. “The Book,” as Savannah residents refer to it, is set in 1980s Savannah and focuses on the true crime of hustler Danny Hansford’s murder by art dealer Jim Williams. Found insideThe case inspired a best-selling book and a movie directed by Clint Eastwood. Written by Dep Kirkland, who arrived at the scene when Hansford’s body was still on the floor, Lawyer Games is the true story of this remarkable case. Under his roof, young Danny Hansford (allegedly not at all respectable, a gigolo) was found shot. In the movie, did they make up the part about Jim Williams being buried at Bonaventure cemetary? Daniel Lewis Hansford (March 1, 1960 – May 2, 1981) was an American capturing sufferer who was killed by his employer, preservationist Jim Williams, at Williams’ residence in Savannah, Georgia, United States. And Jim and Danny are not buried in this cemetery. Mercer-Williams House, featured in the book “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil” by John Berendt. “The Book,” as Savannah residents refer to it, is set in 1980s Savannah and focuses on the true crime of hustler Danny Hansford’s murder by art dealer Jim Williams. It is pretty odd to think that a 25-year-old movie anout a 40-year-old murder continues to so captivate Savannah tourists. Not a great “window photo” but I love the dual stairway! The remarkable part of the crime is that Jim Williams was tried four times for Hansford's murder. Traces the aftermath of the 1996 Venice opera house fire, an event that devastated Venetian society and was investigated by the author, who through interviews with local figures learned about the region's rich cultural history. It is also mistakenly believed that Jim Williams is buried in Bonaventure. James Arthur Williams (December 11, 1931 – January 14, 1990) was the only person in the state of Georgia ever to be tried four times for the same crime. Jim Williams, primarily known as the main character in John Berendt ’s book “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil,” was a significant figure in Savannah in the second half of the 20th century.While he is most known for his alleged murder of 21-year old Danny Hansford, his most important and notable work was in the field of historic preservation. The accused, Jim Williams, a prominent member of Savannah society known for his extravagant and exclusive Christmas parties, shot Danny Hansford, a 21 year old known for drug abuse, reckless driving, and sleeping around with both men and women. People similar to or like Shooting of Danny Hansford. The killing of Danny Lewis Hansford by Savannah Antiques dealer Jim Williams became the backbone of writer John Berendt’s first novel, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. Then it became 'the premiere house in Savannah.' The remarkable part of the crime is that Jim Williams was tried four times for Hansford's murder. Daniel Lewis Hansford (March 1, 1960 – May 2, 1981) was an American shooting victim who was killed by his employer, preservationist Jim Williams, at Williams' home in Savannah… It spawned an incredible tourism industry in the city of Savannah. In that same room on May 2, 1981, Williams shot and killed 21-year-old Danny Lewis Hansford. Danny Hansford was a troubled young man who was sexually appealing to both men and women. This safety guide discusses the design and operational safety of radioactive waste storage facilities that serve nuclear installations, as well as industrial, medical and research facilities. Savannah is probably best known for John Berendt’s 1994 bestseller, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, which tells the true story of the late Jim Williams, an antiques dealer accused of murdering his assistant and lover, Danny Hansford, in 1981. Go to www.findagrave.com. Throughout “The Book,” Berendt exposes the quirky and eccentric Savannah residents, including the Lady Chablis. It would have been just another trophy house until Jim Williams shot Danny Hansford and John Berendt wrote the book. Savannah was never the same. Some seventy storiess skillfully interwoven with the heritage of the area's colorful past, and illustrated with over thirty photos and sketches. I'm giving 3 stars due to the lack of information of the notoriety of Jim Williams & trial. Found insideThis Is My South inspires the reader to explore the Southern States––Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia––like never before. This all changed after May 2, 1981 when Jim Williams shot his assistant Danny Hansford with whom he had a sexual relationship with. The home is now known as the Mercer-Williams House and is still owned and lived in by Jim Williams’ family, though part of the house has been opened to the public for tours. Williams was subsequently charged for murder and tried an astounding four times before finally being acquitted in 1989 by a jury in Augusta, GA. July 1985 Jim Williams leaving with lawyer Sonny Seiler The truth of the story highlights the crime of murder by wealthy, gay Savannah socialite, Jim Williams, and his employee in his antique business and lover, Danny Hansford. Posted by blogger in Savannah Terrors. Savannah has lots for DARK secrets...the wealthy sometimes literally got away with MURDER. You will be asked to leave the premises if questions persist about Jim Williams … The evidence was far from clear-cut. And where blood is spilt, the stain remains. Drawing comparisons with Pepys, Mayhew and Dickens, the gentle author of Spitalfields Life has gained an extraordinary following in recent years, by writing hundreds of lively pen portraits of the infinite variety of people who live and ... In 1981, Danny Hansford, the sometime-employee, sometime-lover of Williams, a wealthy Savannah antiques dealer, was found shot dead. Danny Lewis Hansford Shot to death in the Study of Mercer House, 429 Bull Street, Savannah, Georgia, by Jim Williams. May 9, 2014 - Murder Victim. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Though his character, played by Jude Law in the film version of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, was renamed Billy Hanson, his actual name was Danny Hansford. Some leave miniature racing cars on his grave, in honor of Hansford’s beloved car. The book was about an incident when Williams was accused of shooting and sexually assaulting assistant Danny Lewis Hansford in his Savannah home. The story deals with life in Savannah from just before Jim Williams shot his lover and assistant, Danny Lewis Hansford, in the office of his home, Mercer House. Jim Williams bought the house in 1969, one of his several dozen restoration projects across Savannah. One shot ended up in the back of the skull execution style. The house was named for original owner Gen. Hugh Weedon Mercer (coincidentally, great-grandfather of famed Savannah-born songwriter Johnny Mercer). Note that the staff at the Mercer-Williams House is very tight-lipped about the book and subsequent movie, as well as about Danny Hansford. In 1981, Jim Williams claims he shot Danny dead in self defense. There are many explanations and speculations as to what happened in Jim Williams’ study the day he shot and killed Danny Hansford. An anthology of fiction and nonfiction about Savannah Also, they called the boy Billy and not Danny. This murder was the topic of the book and film “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.” Sorrel-Weed House – 6 W Harris St, Savannah, GA 31401. His soul was clearly unable to move own, while the man who had … After four trials, Williams was acquitted of Hansford's murder. Inicio; Organización del Poder Judicial. In fact, Williams is the only person in Georgia to have ever been tried four times for the same crime: the murder of Danny Hansford, which allegedly took place in this very house. Mercer-Williams House: Savannah Home of Jim Williams. 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