Innocent, but Lynched? Will Reno died without evidence of his guilt.

The vigilantes were determined when they entered the New Albany, Indiana jail on December 12, 1868.  The targets: four members of the Reno Gang, guilty of a variety of offenses including robbery, arson, counterfeiting, extortion and murder.  Except for one man.

William Reno was the youngest member of the family.  The 20-year-old had no record of criminal activity.  In fact, other members of the gang repeatedly claimed that Will was innocent and should be spared.  The vigilantes ignored the pleas and hanged the young man (and the other three) from the rafters of the jail.