It was 2016, or thereabouts, when I first ran across information about Officer James Hood and his murder in August of 1928. I was working for the Heritage Alliance at the time and actively doing museum theatre. I was working on a play about another mysterious murder from Jonesborough’s past, and I mentioned Officer Hood’s death to my director. She told me I’d have to wait on that one. It was too soon to bring that story up again because of the hurt feelings that lingered. That of course made me want to know more.
Now it’s 2025, and I am bringing Officer Hood’s story to the stage in “Can’t Get Away with This.” The play draws from primary sources, newspapers, court case documents, oral histories, and more to share what happened in the early morning hours of August 26, 1928. The bulk of the play digs into the court case that followed, and at the end of the show the audience gets a chance to be the jury and vote on what they think actually happened. Despite going to trial, the murder was never successfully solved. Officer Hood, the only Jonesborough police officer to lose his life in the line of duty, is still seeking justice. Can you help him find it?
The show takes place at the McKinney Center on July18 at 7:30, July 19 at 7:30 and 2:00, July 25 at 7:30, and July 26 at 2:00 and 7:30. Tickets are $17 and are available to purchase at Jonesborough.com/tickets or by calling the Visitors Center at 423-753-1010. The play is rated PG-13 for adult themes and suggested violence. This murder mystery is an edge of your seat thriller with humor sprinkled in. If you enjoy true crime and solving a good mystery, this is the play for you.
“Can’t Get Away with This” is sponsored by Bravissima: Women Supporting the Arts, McLeod Organics, the Wild Women of Jonesborough, Lynda Harris, Dillow Taylor Funeral Home, and Dona and Chuck Lewis.