Deep in the Louisiana bayou, a white man who was an outspoken racist is murdered, and black farmer Mathu (Louis Gossett Jr.) quickly becomes the primary suspect. Mathu's friends assemble to defend him against the locals, who seem to have lynching on their minds. Sheriff Mapes (Richard Widmark) shows up to investigate, and Candy Marshall (Holly Hunter), an even-tempered landowner, steps in to help keep the peace -- but her voice of reason may not be enough to stop violence from erupting.