Williams was arrested on May 2, 1981, for the alleged murder of 21-year-old Danny Hansford, with whom he had been having a homosexual relationship, at Mercer House. Shooting of Danny Hansford Daniel Lewis Hansford was an American shooting victim who was killed by his employer, preservationist Jim Williams, at Williams' home in Savannah, Georgia, United States. Click here to see them all Grave Site of Danny Lewis edit It took place at a historic mansion that previously belonged to the family of "Moon River" singer Johnny Mercer. The subsequent four trials and eventual . Savannah's open attitude towards diversity is engrained in the very fabric of the city. He was an English entrepreneur and farmer who cultivated the first soya beans in North America and introduced tea from China to Georgia. Claiming self defense, Jim Williams was acquitted of Hansford's murder after not one, not two but four trails. Danny Hansford was an African American and Jim Williams was a white man. Murder Victim. Danny was, apparently, prone to frequent outbursts of rage. Daniel Lewis Hansford (March 1, 1960 - May 2, 1981) was an American shooting victim who was killed by his employer, preservationist Jim Williams, at Williams' home in Savannah, Georgia, United States. At age 24, he began his career as an antiques dealer and historic preservationist who played an active role in the preservation of Savannah's historic district. Perhaps no book has played more of a role in tourism in Savannah, Georgia than John Berendt's Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. Hansford and Williams began a semi-secret, tempestuous relationship that involved frequent quarrels. The main character, Jim Williams (played by Kevin Spacey), lived in Mercer House located at 429 Bull Street in the west end of Monterey Square in Savannah. Williams shot and killed 21-year-old Danny Lewis Hansford in the same room on May 2, 1981. The trial lasted from Feb. 2, 1982, to May 9, 1989; however, Williams' status as a free man was short-lived. May 01, 2013 12:00 AM O n this day, May 2, in 1981, in Savannah, Ga., wealthy antiques dealer Jim Williams shot and killed his lover, redneck hustler Danny Hansford, in the case made famous. The Mercer House, Savannah, Georgia. By Jim Morekis. Below we've put together a list of our favorite things to do in Savannah; walking tours, museums, parks, beaches, and more. His death was documented in J read more. I was the one who informed James "Jim" Williams that he was being arrested for murder. He was shot in the study of the Mercer House at 429 Bull Street in Savannah, Georgia, on May 2, 1981 by the home's owner, Jim Williams, who was later found not guilty in a murder case. The two were arguing over a woman when Jim pulled out his gun and shot him. Founded in 1733 by General James Oglethorpe, Savannah was considered a haven for the poor of England and promoted relative religious freedom which was definitely not the norm at the time. When it came time for casting the 1997 film directed by Clint Eastwood, the Lady Chablis, also known as the . During the next 35 years, he would. His death was the subject of the. Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, a 1994 bestseller book by John Berendt and a big-screen movie directed by Clint Eastwood in 1997, has made Savannah a number-one travel destination.Whether you believe Jim Williams' killing of his young lover, Danny Hansford, was murder or self-defense, the case made the book a best-seller and is still bringing visitors to Savannah. Eight months later on Jan. 14, 1990, he was found dead in his study from complications . #2 - Garden of Good & Evil Walking Tour. mercer house was made famous by midnight in the garden of good and evil as the house of jim williams, who - after four trials - was acquitted of murdering his handyman/lover danny hansford on may 2, 1981. williams alleged that he shot hansford in self-defense. He was shot by a man named Danny Hansford. The mansion was built in 1861 and was used as Williams' home in the film as well. It's seen at least three untimely deaths, including that of 11-year-old Tommy Downs when he fell off the roof in 1969, the 1981 fatal shooting of Danny Hansford by Williams, and Williams. He also began a secret relationship with his much-younger assistant, 21-year-old Danny Hansford. "The Book," as Savannah residents refer to it, is set in 1980s Savannah and focuses on the true crime of hustler Danny Hansford's murder by art dealer Jim Williams. His death was documented in John Berendt 's 1994 non-fiction book Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil and its 1997 film adaptation. And you know what happens then.'. Samuel Bowen became the first owner of the property in 1765. Danny Hansford (Daniel Lewis Hanford) was born on 1 March, 1960 in Savannah, Georgia, U.S., is a Tradesman. Danny Hansford was a former prostitute and had a checkered past. The murder of Danny Hansford in 1981 shocked the community, especially since the assailant, James Williams, was well-known in Savannah for helping to preserve the city's historic district. I would leave Savannah before Williams' second, third and fourth trials, but the case . Jan 22, 2015 - See 3 photos and 1 tip from 49 visitors to Mercer House. williams himself died . He was buried in Greenwich Cemetery, Savannah, Georgia, United States. The accused, Jim Williams, a prominent member of Savannah society known for his extravagant and exclusive Christmas parties, shot Danny Hansford, a 21 year old known for drug abuse, reckless driving, and sleeping around with both men and women. He died as a result of a simple case of pneumonia, but his death occurred in a unique location. first is the mercer house, located at 429 bull street, between wayne and gordon streets, on monterey square. When police arrived at Williams' home, he opened the door and said, "I shot him. Danny Lewis Hansford Shot to death in the Study of Mercer House, 429 Bull Street, Savannah, Georgia, by Jim Williams. The 1981 murder of Danny Hansford at the hands of Jim Williams is a famous one, featured in the book and movie Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. Two years later, trial number four, found . "Jim" Williams shot his 21-year-old, part-time employee, Danny Hansford, to death in his Monterey Square mansion in the early morning hours of May 2,. Danny Lewis Hansford Born: 1 Mar 1960 Died: 2 May 1981 Greenwich Cemetery 325-345 Greenwich Road Savannah, Chatham , Georgia United States Nearby Graves Find more about Danny Lewis. The remarkable part of the crime is that Jim Williams was tried four times for Hansford's murder. Their relationship was volatile and finally ended with Hansford pulling a gun on Williams. Daniel Lewis Hansford (1. Danny Hansford 1960 1981 Danny Hansford in U.S. Social Security Death Index (SSDI) Danny Hansford was born on March 1 1960. Don Burkett on Flickr A Shooting Occurs I assembled most of the scientific evidence and tried the first case, alongside District Attorney Spencer Lawton. Hansford was Savannah's most popular male escort of the late 1970s and early 1980s. THINGS TO DO IN SAVANNAH, GA hide. Savannah was never the same. Jim Williams died in Savannah on the night of 5-6 March, 1892. While most of the ghosts in and around Savannah stem from the Civil War Era, the spirits at the Mercer House are recent arrivals to the city. The judgment was later overturned upon the discovery of contradicting police reports. This murder mystery is one of Savannah's most famous and was the subject of the incredibly famous book Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil , which you should definitely start reading immediately as you plan your Savannah getaway. Still labeled "non-fiction" though its . At the time of the shooting, Hansford, 21, had been Williams' sexual partner for two. Just before 3 a.m. on May 2, 1981, 50-year-old James Williams, a well-known antiques dealer and leader of the historic home preservation movement in Savannah, Georgia, called police to his home to report that he had shot his assistant, 21-year-old Danny Hansford. Schieen von Danny Hansford. He died of a minor case of pneumonia, however his death occurred in an unusual area. Real picture of Danny Hansford: http://bit.ly/hU4cB0 His mother still lives in Savannah. #1 - Plant Riverside District. And then, finally, the sight I waited my whole life to see- the Mercer House, the home where Jim Williams lived, and ultimately, died of a heart attack- in the exact spot where he allegedly shot his employee and also alleged, lover, Danny Hansford. We found more records about Danny Lewis Hansford. Williams claimed the shooting of his assistant Hansford was "self-defense . See 1 photo from visitors to Danny Hansford Gravesite. Wealthy Savannah antiques dealer James A. Custard Boutique, hop, located at 422 Whitaker St., is a small indie shop with a collection of casual women's clothing, accessories & handcrafted jewelry. These good times came to an end in the year 1981, after the shooting death of Williams' assistant and lover, Danny Hansford, a former prostitute with a past almost as questionable as the Mercer-Williams House itself. The state introduced evidence of a homosexual relationship between the defendant and the deceased. The truth of the story highlights the crime of murder by wealthy, gay Savannah socialite, Jim Williams, and his employee in his antique business and lover, Danny Hansford. Discover Danny Hansford's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. The tour of the house is a little dry (and expensive, at $13), but for hardcore Midnight fans . [4] At his arraignment his bond was set at $25,000, which he posted. The first trial ended with life in prison sentencing. The film was mostly filmed in Savannah. From "The" Book you know:. Where in Savannah was Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil filmed? "Beautiful historic house in Savannah." #3 - Tybee Island. This was omitted from the movie version. PUBLISHED over 20 years ago, John Berendt's Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil remains as intriguing an enigma as the setting of the book itself. By the time they got to the third trial, it had ended in a hung jury. This is the former home of Jim Williams, a notable antique dealer in Savannah who was tried (and acquitted) four times for the 1981 murder of Danny Hansford. Williams was a well-known preservationist of historic Savannah structures, renovating over 30 structures across the city. Only picture I could find! John Berendt: The interview. #5 - Breakfast at Mirabelle. Hansford was Savannah's most popular male escort of the late 1970's and early '80's and his passing was the subject of the successful NY Times Bestseller "Midnight In The Garden of Good and Evil" written by John Berendt. For fans of "Midnight In The Garden of Good and Evil," Danny Hansford was known as "Billy Hanson" in the film version, but essentially was killed during a struggle with Jim Williams of. Learn How rich is He in this year and how He spends money? 'I think of my first time in Savannah. Williams was charged with Danny's murder and tried four times for the crime. Williams was arrested on May 2, 1981, for the alleged murder of 21-year-old Danny Hansford, but was finally acquitted, eight years after his arrest. If you are a fan of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, this is where you will find Danny Hansford's (1960-1981) grave. [4] According to Williams, Hansford's gun jammed, leaving Williams just enough time to grab his own weapon and shoot Hansford in self-defense. It was the third week in March. Write a short note about what you liked, what to order, or other helpful advice for visitors. Defendant was found guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of Danny Hansford, a part-time employee and frequent house guest of the defendant. Yes, I was there while the body of Danny Hansford was still on the floor in the study at Mercer House. , the Lady Chablis, also known as the s most popular male escort of the is! 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