Scapegoat: The Tommy Lee Hines Story

by Peggy Allen Towns

In 1978, the arrest of Tommy Lee Hines, a young black man with the mental capacity of a six-year-old, shook the city of Decatur, Alabama. This gripping story chronicles the untold narrative of an intellectually disabled man who finds himself trapped in a web of systemic racism, prejudices, and a legal system that needs reforming.
As the sequence of events unfold, author Peggy Allen Towns captures the tragedy of Tommy Lee Hines that inspired a movement for change. Throughout the pages of this book, you will meet courageous and extraordinary individuals who took risks and believed it was their duty to seek justice. You also will encounter hostile counter-demonstrators and their warring tempers, as they hold on to the ideology of the “Old South.”
This powerful, heart-wrenching account of Decatur’s Scapegoat not only explores the sacrificial offerings, but unmasks biases and inequalities that compelled the conscience of some to take progressive steps to eradicate racial injustice. The efforts of social reform advanced equal opportunities for a more unified city in the struggle of fairness for all. And the struggle continues.

148 pages, Paperback

Published November 6, 2020

Reviews

[Lindsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

My fiancé purchased this book for me for Christmas and understands my love of true crime. I vaguely remember the story of Tommy Lee Hines. It’s a story most people native to the area know. I would have liked there to be a little more background on the case. While I think I know the details, the specifics of this case I’ve only heard through word of mouth.

However, from my understanding the point of the book is not to provide case details but to show how Tommy was railroaded by authorities and convicted of a crime he did not commit. The book does a great job at depicting that aspect. Towns add in descriptive elements to bolster narrative techniques, which I enjoyed.

The book is interesting, but I wanted there to be more.

[Nancy Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was from Morgan County Alabama at the time these events took place. Decatur is the hometown of many of my friends. Though I was in grad school and away, I never heard of the Tommy Lee Hines story.

I thank Peggy Allen Towns for providing this painful story. The book reflects much careful research into the events which point to unashamedly racist behavior and the atrocities that were perpetrated on an innocent man.

Thank you for this book.

[Dolores · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story is heartbreaking. I mostly read it because it took place in two places I used to work and in one where I lived. Poor Tommy Lee didn't stand a chance and it's just so unfair. Even worse, the real criminal got away with it :-(

[Stephanie Randolph · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do yourself a favor: Read this.