In 1928, a young woman from North Carolina named Alma Petty Gatlin went on trial for the murder of her father. A preacher Alma had confessed to informed authorities, setting off a sensational case that examined confessional privilege.

Research:

• “Girl Sobs as Jury Grants Her Liberty.” The Charlotte Observer. Feb. 23, 1928. https://www.newspapers.com/image/616612305/?terms=%22Smith%20T.%20Petty%22&match=1
• “Woman on Trial for Patricide.” Gettysburg Times. Feb. 14, 1928. https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2202&dat=19280214&id=_ZwlAAAAIBAJ&sjid=gfYFAAAAIBAJ&pg=956,5137180
• “Little Progress Made in Petty Probe.” The Charlotte Observer. Sept. 6, 1927. https://www.newspapers.com/image/616813195/?terms=alma%20petty&match=1
• “Reidsville Girl Arrested for Murder of Father!” The Bee. Sept. 3, 1927. https://www.newspapers.com/image/46801069/
• “Bride Accused of Slaying Father.” St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Oct. 2, 1927. https://www.newspapers.com/image/140410715/?terms=alma%20petty&match=1
• “Confident Whole Truth Not told.” Statesville Record and Landmark. Sept. 12, 1927. https://www.newspapers.com/image/11242337/?terms=alma%20petty&match=1
• Price, Enoch. “Defense Will Wage Its Fight on Evangelist-confessor Principal State’s Witness.” The News and Observer. Jan. 22, 1928. https://www.newspapers.com/image/651049861/?terms=alma%20petty&match=1
• Link, Phil. “Murder for Breakfast.” Down Hom Press. North Carolina. 2002.
• “What Was Justice.” Daily News. March 25, 1928. https://www.newspapers.com/image/431281638/
• “Considering Ethics.” The Tampa Times. Feb. 15, 1938. https://www.newspapers.com/image/332744236/?terms=%22Alma%20Petty%20gatlin%22&match=1
• “Mrs. Gatlin Now Mourning Death o Pet ‘Lovebird.’” The Bee. Sept. 15, 1927. https://www.newspapers.com/image/46801533/?terms=%22Mrs.%20Gatlin%20is%20Cheerful%22&match=1
• “Mrs. Gatlin Faces New Trial Ordeal.” The Atlanta Constitution. Feb, 20, 1928. https://www.newspapers.com/image/398191524/