Sins of Ashe County is loosely based on the true life story of Will Banks, an African-American man who was tried, convicted and executed for shooting his uncle in self-defense in the North Carolina mountains in 1907.  After a 45-minute touching speech from the gallows, delivered to the largest gathering in Ashe County history, he was hanged for his crime. 

Many of the witnesses on scene stated that the incident was a case of self-defense with no other option.  Other major evidence pointed to his innocence as well. The all white mountain jury thought otherwise.  Later during attempts to examine the court testimony and other records it was discovered that vital records of the case had disappeared.  Was this a cover-up and if so by whom?

Were there issues surrounding this case that were overlooked?  Sins of Ashe County explores the presumed facts of the case and delves into the speculative conspiracies that led to this perceived innocent man's hanging. 

Theme:

Sins of Ashe County explores the themes of

•      Racism in the rural southern communities in the early 1900s
•      Basic and complex relationships between and within the races of the day
•      The practice of capital punishment
•      Social injustice
•      Love and sacrifice
•      Tolerance/intolerance