McCracken Poston Jr.

I wrote a book about a strange murder trial. “There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you."-Maya Angelou

[McCracken Poston Jr. @RealZenithMan]

Mugshot of Alvin Ridley, June 30, 1998. Charged with imprisoning his wife in their basement for 27 years, and murdering her in 1997. He was already considered a dangerous malcontent to many, including his own lawyer.
We were all wrong.

[McCracken Poston Jr. @RealZenithMan]

THE VAN.
This 1977 Chevrolet van was actually a big deal for Ridley's Zenith, for all-weather transporting of TV sets around until 1984 when it got seized as part of a counterclaim in Alvin's lengthy lawsuits saga. And let's just say Alvin showed remarkable determination about it, persistently raising the 'illegal-seizure' as a big issue despite his own looming murder trial.
Only now do I recognize this unwavering dedication as a testament to the obsessive drive often associated with autism.
But I was baffled in 1998, over a year into the case and after hearing Alvin's continuous complaints of the taking of the van, when I discovered it had been returned just three weeks after it was taken, due to the seizure being ruled a 'mistake'. Yet, Alvin said he “refused to accept it back”, saying accepting it “could trigger a new statute of limitations.”
So, when I first saw it, it had been sitting on the property untouched for fourteen years, a symbol of stubbornness.
And remarkably, now forty-two years after its return, it still stands there today, untouched, a tribute to the tenacity of Alvin Ridley.
Part of me hates to see it go.

#zenithmanbook #murdertrial #southerngothic #autismawareness #autismacceptance

[McCracken Poston Jr. @RealZenithMan]

A new exhibit is being installed at Caffeine Addicts, the former site of Ridley’s Zenith TV Sales and Service: “Free Kittens” is a sign that Alvin had in his house. There were also a number of photos of a very young Alvin with a light-haired cat and multiple photos of the same cat, even these 8x10s that he or his mother had already enlarged.
Joining the Exhibit soon are photographs and other renderings of “Kitty” and “Meowy” - Alvin’s later cats who got briefly pulled into a murder trial. #murdertrial #truecrime #southerngothic @rebmasel

[McCracken Poston Jr. @RealZenithMan]

INTRODUCING JASPER THE GREAT PYRENEES and his crew of thirteen goats and two sheep!
They just started working on the Ridley property, much of it featured in my book about Alvin‘s murder trial. They’ve already found Alvin‘s “HondaCar” - a title I never heard him refer to it as anything else.
https://t.co/6mH7u2cAct Thanks to Goatvango, llc #truestory #truecrime #southerngothic #autismacceptance #autismawareness

[McCracken Poston Jr. @RealZenithMan]

And, yes, according to his tag, Alvin had “rizz”.

[McCracken Poston Jr. @RealZenithMan]

I could not understand Alvin‘s obsession with this 1977 Chevrolet van, especially when we needed to be talking about a murder charge. With time, and Alvin‘s late life autism diagnosis, I finally understand. Its tag is now on permanent display at Caffeine Addicts, Ringgold, Georgia, at the site of Alvin‘s TV shop.

[McCracken Poston Jr. @RealZenithMan]

@davidclowery @universityofga @UGAGrady That’s an excellent school. Where is he going next?

[McCracken Poston Jr. @RealZenithMan]

@nut_history Rick Camp was my friend in Northwest Georgia, and after his historic time with the Braves. Great guy, and is missed.

[McCracken Poston Jr. @RealZenithMan]

Another shameless clickbait because you make it look like breaking news about this poor woman and put your dark day counter to be visible after the viewer has clicked on the link. You ought to be ashamed of this stupid trick. Lead with the day count, and notice how fewer people will click on it.

[McCracken Poston Jr. @RealZenithMan]

@mrbobodenkirk THIS is what my publisher meant when she said that I needed a "platform"!

[McCracken Poston Jr. @RealZenithMan]

Yesterday's announcement of the involvement of Goatvango, llc and their team of sheep, goats, and "Jasper" the Great Pyrenees to finally clean up the Ridley homeplace is a tough act to follow, but here's my best effort: Zenith Man: Death, Love, and Redemption in a Georgia Courtroom just won the International Impact Book Awards in the category of BIOGRAPHY: LEGAL/COURTROOM!
And, on top of that, I was named a FINALIST for TRUE CRIME Author of the Year, the winner to be announced in October. A percentage of that was reader voting, and that part is still open until August. Spread the word: https://t.co/yGsjseAGLI

[McCracken Poston Jr. @RealZenithMan]

@fox7austin This is carefully worded click-baiting. You should be ashamed of yourselves. I’m sure your numbers are huge with a partially obscured headline and a family and nation praying for resolution.

[McCracken Poston Jr. @RealZenithMan]

For those of you who prefer to LISTEN to great stories, here’s your DEEPLY discounted deal of the day!
With apologies to my friends in LaFayette, Georgia - I TOLD them how to pronounce it, they just didn’t listen to me!
Get this deal and/or share it with others!
Thanks!
McP

60% OFF Zenith Man: Death, Love & Redemption in a Georgia Courtroom https://t.co/0wQeSZsMBn

[McCracken Poston Jr. @RealZenithMan]

@davidclowery @TheBandCracker One of my favorites. You were touring it at Midtown Music Festival when we met the first time!

[McCracken Poston Jr. @RealZenithMan]

NPR’s Snap Judgment episode about Alvin Ridley’s trial aired nearly a decade ago. Years later, their artist Teo Ducot created this piece for the program’s online presence.

They recently sent me a high-quality version, and it’s now headed for Alvin’s old shop, Caffeine Addicts.

Tracy Knauss brought it to life in print, and it’s currently being prepared at Ringgold Art & Frame. It’s an uncanny likeness of my old client and friend.

That makes five works of art inspired by Alvin Ridley in his signature neck brace, all on display at Caffeine Addicts. From Rev. Howard Finster’s plywood “Lost Sheep Found,” to Will Towns’ mosaic, to the profile by Travis Knight Draws, to gourd art, and now this electronic piece.

If you’re nearby, go see them. Take a photo. Tell me which is your favorite!
#snapjudgment #truecrime #SouthernGothic #autismacceptance

[McCracken Poston Jr. @RealZenithMan]

This is Morty. He is the resident cat at The Crazy Book Lady bookstore in Acworth, Georgia. He’s 11 years old, one half the age of Kitty Ridley, Alvin’s ancient black cat, at the time of the trial.
And yes, I consider this a major endorsement.
#bookstorecat #truecrime #southerngothic #autismacceptance

[McCracken Poston Jr. @RealZenithMan]

Rev. Howard Finster created this original painting, “Lost Sheep Found,” in April, 2000. The artwork was inspired by the artist seeing news photos of Alvin Ridley testifying in court while wearing his signature neck brace. I had introduced Alvin to Howard in 1998.
This painting was included in my book, but it has never been publicly exhibited, until now.
In celebration of what would have been Alvin's 84th birthday on Tuesday, it is now on display at Caffeine Addicts.
Please consider voting in the International Impact Book Awards: https://t.co/yGsjseAGLI

[McCracken Poston Jr. @RealZenithMan]

In the 1980’s, after his father passed away from cancer, Alvin and his mother started the lawsuits that ultimately failed (and resulted in a countersuit that led to his van getting seized). Alvin always told me that he had no choice, as he was honoring his father and mother. And, of course, he made a sign about it.
Now it’s at Caffeine Addicts.

[McCracken Poston Jr. @RealZenithMan]

Mosaic artist Will Towns used the medium of tile to create this tribute to Alvin and his oft-quoted interpretation of U.S. Constitutional law.
Alvin lectured me on this subject hundreds of times, and I started carrying a pocket-sized paperback Constitution to challenge him to show me the provision. “I’ll show you later,” he would say.
A quarter century later, I’m still looking for it.
Come see it, with other artist renditions of Alvin Ridley, at Caffeine Addicts, 7819 Nashville St., Ringgold, GA.