A death-row inmate Joe Caslin points out the similarity between a current crime and his conviction, which in turn sets about a turn of events to save Joe.

Cliff Sims, a detective who has just joined the squad, encounters resentment from the people of his community as he heads the search for his friend, robbery and murder suspect Jesse Hawkins.

Feeling that he has failed, Cliff quits the force in disgust and finds himself and his family terrorized by Jesse and his buddies.