ThetruestoryofToniJoHenry, awomantriedforthecrimeofmurderin1942inthestateofLouisiana.ToniJo, aproductofchildhoodabuseandneglect, brieflydiscoversloveandhappinessthatsoonturnstodespairwhenherhusbandCowboyissenttoprisonandsheembarksonanill-fatedplanwithanaccompliceArkietofreehim.