The Liberation of L.B. Jones

A wealthy African-American funeral director whose divorce case draws him into the town's corrupt legal and police system. He remains dignified and principled under pressure, choosing non-cooperation even when cornered. His murder exposes the rot at the heart of the community.

A white police officer whose personal and professional arrogance leads to murder. He seeks to avoid scandal by urging Emma not to contest the divorce, then becomes entangled in a cover-up of Jones's death. He ultimately confesses, but remains protected by the system.

A local lawyer who runs the law firm and wields influence to manage the town's image. He orchestrates the investigation and cover-up, encouraging Worth to take the blame while manipulating outcomes behind the scenes. He embodies the Southern political-legal machine.

Jones's much younger wife who hopes to secure alimony and a lavish lifestyle. She resists the divorce settlement but ultimately becomes entangled in the case's consequences, facing community scrutiny and personal conflict.

Newlywed nephew of Hedgepath, a young associate at the law firm who becomes part of the tangled legal maneuvering surrounding the divorce and Jones's murder.

Police officer who assists Worth in the arrest and later becomes a target of Sonny Boy Mosby's retaliation. His actions help demonstrate how brutality and pragmatism intertwine in maintaining control.

A Black man who retaliates against Bumpas's brutality by murdering him and staging the crime as an agricultural accident. He leaves town with a quiet sense of resolve and maturity, complicating the moral landscape.

The town's mayor who tries to keep the death quiet and protect the reputations of those in power. He is a pragmatic figure who aligns with Hedgepath to manage the case and the community's image.