the initial examination of virginia's body was done by the local coroner, bonita hullander. in virginia's eyes, the coroner found petechial hemorrhages which are broken blood vessels often seen in cases of strangulation or smothering deaths. the next day, a full autopsy was performed. the medical examiner found something not noted during the initial examination. deep bruising on the muscles of virginia ridley's neck, another possible indication of strangulation. virginia ridley's death was ruled a homicide and her husband, alvin, was charged with murder. to those in ringgold who knew alvin ridley as "crazy alvin," the news came as no surprise. >> everybody thought he killed his wife back in the '60s or early '70s. there was even talk that he killed her a long, long time ago. >> i think they checked a 50 to 100-mile radius. no doctor, no physician, no pharmacy, no hospital. this girl had not been anywhere in 30 years. >> the town of ringgold was gearing up for the biggest trial in its history, and investigators were in for another surprise when alvin ridley gave his explanati