•A work of creative non-fiction

•Written like a novel, but true.

•Not necessarily chronological

•Told from alternating points of view

Born 1925Childhood friend of Nell

Harper LeeNovel first serialized in

The New Yorker in 1965Novel launched his

career to the high society circles

Died 1984

Capote first learned of the murders through an article in the New York

Times

Lawand

Order

Setting

The road to the Clutter home

The village of Holcomb stands on the high wheat plains of western Kansas, a lonesome

area that other Kansans call “out there.”

Clutter Family Home (as it stands today)

The VictimsThe CriminalsThe WitnessesThe Investigators

The Victims

• Head of the Clutter household

• Well-liked, respected member of the Holcomb community

• Fairly prosperous

Wife of Herb Clutter

Mother of four

A recluse

Daughter of Herb and Bonnie Clutter

Well-liked and popular

Bright, energetic, responsible

Dating Bobby Rupp

Son of Herb and Bonnie Clutter

Quiet and reserved

Enjoys working with his hands

Fifteen years old

•Convicted thief

•Sentenced to Kansas State Penitentiary

•Met Dick Hickock in jail

•Inmate in Kansas State Penitentiary

•Friend of Perry Smith

•Learned of Clutter family from fellow inmate Floyd Wells

Past employee of Herb Clutter

Tells Hickcock that the Clutters are wealthy

Connects Hickcock and Smith to the deaths of the Clutters

KBI

•Main detective in the Clutter investigation

•Acquaintance of Herb Clutter

KBI Supervisor Al Dewey, County Attorney Duane West, Sheriff Earl Robinson, and KBI Agent Clarence Duntz. (left to right)

To our “human” brothers who live after us,

Do not harden your hearts against us,

Because, the more you have pity on us poor ones,

The more mercy God will show you.