Why World War II Hero murder Methodist preacher in 1946?

Preacher standing behind podium addressing

Why World War II Hero murder Methodist preacher in 1946?

It was the month of October and year 1946 when Pete Banning got up early in the morning and decided to materialize plan of murder. But before committing a murder, he met his divorced sister Florry at her cottage who was famed as Bird Lady. While commuting in his Ford pickup around south Clanton, Mississippi, Mack a dog was with him. When he reached near the Methodist church, entered inside the office of reverend Dexter Bell, and shot the preacher dead three shots with Colt .45 revolver. One black man saw him after committing a murder and his name was Hop Purdue, a Negro.

Pete Banning was not fugitive and instead preferred to face the murder trial in Clanton courtroom. Pete was arrested and sent into the jail but he had to change his mind to kill his only eyewitness when Hop begged for mercy. When the news of murder circulated into town of Clanton that Pete had killed a preacher, no one believed this because he was a World War II hero and had great respect among many. At initial, Pete hadn't disclosed the reason for murder during the interrogation and preferred to remain silent. At litigation, defense attorney was fighting his case in court.

Pete Banning was a cotton farmer and owned a considerable land to grow for his crops for livelihood. Before committing a murder, he was worried about his two children Joel and Stella who were not present in the town of Clanton, left cotton crop to live future life in absence of him. 

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