When An Innocent Man Looks Guilty

Originally Aired: January 9, 1939 The Lone Ranger #929, "When An Innocent Man Looks Guilty," Young Jack Ross's fortunes seem to change when a friendly stranger named Corey invites him to share a meal and become prospecting partners. After meeting the charming Miss Gale outside the Willow City general store, Jack's optimism quickly turns to horror when Corey robs the store and shoots the keeper. The posse immediately assumes Jack was Corey's accomplice since he waited outside during the crime, but Miss Gale insists the young drifter is innocent. As the townspeople form a pursuit party, Jack flees with Corey into the hills, trying to understand what happened. The truth proves far worse than Jack imagined. Corey reveals himself as the notorious outlaw Panhandle Kid, who deliberately framed Jack to force him into partnership. With the law now pursuing him as a guilty man and the Panhandle Kid threatening further violence unless Jack joins his criminal schemes, the desperate young cowboy finds himself trapped between outlaws and justice, his innocence seemingly impossible to prove.