murders. Willie discovers that Hooten has indeed been involved with Rhoda Kassellaw, and sought revenge against Padgitt and the three jurors who voted against his death sentence. A big newspaper chain, extending operations throughout the South, becomes interested in purchasing the Times. Willie sells the paper for $1.5 million, but his satisfaction is marred when Callie dies of a heart attack. The book ends with Willie writing her obituary. Characters in The Last Juror Joyner William "Willie" Traynor - the narrator, protagonist, and editor of the local newspaper, The Times. Calia "Miss Callie" Harris Ruffin - a black woman with eight children, seven of whom have Ph.Ds. She is selected for jury duty at the Padgitt trial. She and Traynor share an unlikely friendship. Baggy Suggs - an alcoholic reporter for The Times. Wiley Meek - photographer for The Times. Danny Padgitt - a member of the notorious Padgitt family. He rapes and murders Rhoda Kassellaw but is given parole after only nine years in prison. Lucien Wilbanks - defense lawyer for Danny Padgitt. Harry Rex Vonner - a lawyer who befriends Willie, helping him with various legal and moral issues throughout the novel. Sam Ruffin - eighth child of Calia Ruffin. He had an affair with a married white woman and is afraid to return to Clanton. Rhoda Kassellaw - the victim of Danny Padgitt. Judge Loopus - the judge at the Padgitt trial. Ernie Gaddis - prosecution lawyer at the Padgitt trial Hank Hooten - another lawyer at the Padgitt trial. He is rumoured to have had a relationship with Rhoda Kassellaw before her death. He later goes insane, killing two jurors and Danny Padgitt. References External links John Grisham's Official Website 2004 American novels Novels by John Grisham Novels set in Mississippi Fiction set in the 1970s Doubleday (publisher) books