She was white. He was black. Police knew he liked white women. When Thompson picked him out of the lineup, everyone was sure they had the right man. Everyone, that is, except Ronald Cotton.
Cotton is tall and handsome, with baby-smooth skin and a warm, engaging smile.
Confronted by Thompson, his normal calm failed him. He was petrified. But he said nothing, betrayed no emotion. Cotton's actions and past hadn't helped his case. He was nervous, got his dates mixed up.