The Brick Slayer is the third book in the Bloodlands series. It tells the story of Robert Nixon, a young serial killer who murdered his victims with a brick. His story was unknown to me prior to reading this story.
Nixon was a young black man, only aged 17-18 at the time of the first murder. Eventually he confessed to 4 murders, but maintains that the last one was committed by his accomplice Earl Hicks.
Nixon testified at his own trial that he was beaten and abused by police officers until he signed a confession for the murders that he was on trial for. On cross examination he himself cast doubt on his claims. Ultimately he was found guilty and after 7 minutes was sentenced to death. From searching it appears that Hick was sentenced to 14 years for his role in the murder/robbery. Hicks was then sent to Los Angeles where he was sentenced to 5 years to life for attacks there.
A lot of this story focused on the prejudices of the time, especially as the perpetrators were both young, wandering black men, and the crimes were against white women and girls. A book was written by Richard Wright, Native Son, that pulls from the story of Robert Nixon and how he and the crime was portrayed by the media during the 1930’s.