Yes,it was directed by Max Baer. There's a lot more to the guy than Jethro,thank goodness. I saw it a few years back but only recall a scene or two. If they threw the rapist off the bridge for revenge,why would Billy Joe do himself in? Unless he's in fear of breaking the commandment,"Thou Shalt Not Kill".
How could they throw a baby off? No teenage girl in the country could hide her pregnancy "that well!" Only if she wasn't too far along in term.
That leaves two possibilities: She either had a miscarrage and it tore B.J. up inside or he gave or got her an "A". (Givn the recent topic that was deleted I'll just say "A".) If it's the second,that "might" lead a young man to do something drastic.
Then again........IT'S JUST A SONG!
Later!
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"A knight of the road,going back to a place where he might get warm."
- Borderstone