Appomattox Regional
Library System

Everyday Death: the case of Bernadette Powell by Anne Jones

Bernadette wanted to go to college and make something of herself. But she hadn’t counted on meeting and falling in love with Herman Smith. And then she hadn’t counted on the beatings. Herman hit her, tied her up and threw her down the stairs. On July 9, 1978 Bernadette Powell shot and killed her husband. What seemed to be a routine case of involuntary manslaughter soon turned into a second degree murder charge. This is not simply a courtroom drama but an examination of how issues of race, sex and class affect the judicial system and the most basic right of Americans.

Please join us to discuss Everyday Death on Monday, July 12 at 3:00 p.m. in the Hopewell Library. Contact Joan Fleshman at jfleshman@arls.org for more information.

This event is part of the “Water Your Mind READ” Adult Summer Reading Program. For more information, call 458-6329 x1005.