Alvin Ridley, the man at the center of a high-profile Ringgold murder trial 25 years ago, and a recent book on the subject, died Tuesday.
A U.S. Army veteran and former television repair man, Ridley was acquitted of murdering his wife by a jury in 1999. His defense attorney was McCracken Poston, and the two men remained friends until Ridley passed away at 82.
The trial was the biggest ordeal of his life, Poston said in a phone call. Since then he's learned how to communicate more effectively with his now-friend who was diagnosed with adult autism late in his life -- even about a topic as sensitive as Ridley's own imminent death.
"We didn't know about adult autism back then," Poston said about Ridley's frequent lack of acceptance in the community. "People like him were just called eccentrics, or worse."
Ridley was found not guilty of charges that he suffocated his wife, Virginia, to death in their home in October 1997 after a reclusive three-decade marriage. Poston successfully argued Virginia Ridley, who had a seizure disorder, died of natural causes and that the couple were actually happily married.
Poston wrote a book about the trial called "Zenith Man: Death, Love, and Redemption in a Georgia Courtroom."
In the roughly four months since the book's release, the two men have teamed up for multiple events to promote the book.
Poston said he was thankful Ridley got to experience appreciation from fans of their story before his death. Ridley stole the show at every event, Poston said, and was so proud of the attention he received.
(READ MORE: Kennedy: Ringgold murder trial remembered in 'Zenith Man')
"He has so enjoyed it," Poston said about Ridley's reaction to promoting the book. "And people have really piled on the love and affection ... and he's absorbed it. And it's been amazing."
Poston said once Ridley accepted his autism diagnosis, the former television repair man took comfort knowing there was a reason he was different.
Based on his research, Poston said he thinks Ridley's wife Virginia was also somewhere on the autism spectrum. That diagnosis would explain why she never was seen outside of the married couple's house built by Ridley's father in the 1940s, he said, instead of the rumors and accusations that she was confined by her husband.
(READ MORE: Ringgold residents work to memorialize segregation-era Black school)
The television repair shop run by Ridley on Tennessee Street in Ringgold was closed in 1984. Ridley attributed it to a government conspiracy, but Poston said Ridley finally acknowledged the picture-tube technology that was his speciality became outdated as home electronics became disposable.
In his later years, flea markets kept Ridley busy, Poston said, as well as regular lunches with his friend and former attorney.
For the past few years, Poston said Ridley's health had been declining, and worsened a few months ago.
Poston said he tried to prepare Ridley for his passing by telling him Ridley's deceased wife and parents were calling him to join his family. Ridley responded by saying his family wanted him to stay with Poston.
So Poston changed his approach yesterday, and said he wanted to meet Ridley's wife in heaven.
"My daddy will want to take us fishing up there," Ridley said, responding to Poston about meeting his family. "He says, 'You can catch 30 fish in an hour up in heaven.'"
Ridley died soon after that, Poston said. He was glad his friend didn't die alone, Poston said, and that he passed away knowing he was appreciated.
Contact Andrew Wilkins at awilkins@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6659.