No disrespect to anyone here, just wanted to say that the way Andy Griffith was fantastic in this role. Film makers always take things too far and I'm sorry if the movie didn't portray the people involved as accurately as they could have done. I have only ever seen Andy Griffith in nice guy roles and in this part he was downright hateful, not a person you'd like to be on the wrong side of.
Andy Griffith did a good job, as did Shawnee Smith. Being the daughter of a famous movie legend (Raquel Welch) it can be difficult to carve out your own career but the emotions were spot on, the acting was great. I agree with the OP though that the person who should have been sued was the sheriff as the jailer would have been hired by him and he did not protect the girl in question when he should have done.
Finally, what a horrible thing to have happened, I hope those victimised by this awful crime have gone on to better lives.
Andy Griffith did a good job, as did Shawnee Smith. Being the daughter of a famous movie legend (Raquel Welch) it can be difficult to carve out your own career but the emotions were spot on, the acting was great. I agree with the OP though that the person who should have been sued was the sheriff as the jailer would have been hired by him and he did not protect the girl in question when he should have done.
Finally, what a horrible thing to have happened, I hope those victimised by this awful crime have gone on to better lives.