I grew up near there. Agree 100%: that man needed removal from society, and the local law enforcement and judge weren't going to do that. (Rape of a 13yo, forced marriage of same, years of massive drug running, carrying a weapon openly as a felon
into bars where no non-LEO can legally carry... He was more evil than you imagined before clicking on that link.)
The town did all they could for his poor widow, and she kept quiet about whatever she might have seen...