Lita McClinton murder: Inside the story of socialite who was killed on her doorstep after her divorce

Warning: This article contains a recollection of crime and can be triggering to some, readers’ discretion advised.

ATLANTA, GEORGIA: The tragic killing of an American socialite occurred on the same day she finalized her divorce, as per DailyMail.

Lita McClinton, 35, was tragically shot and killed on the doorstep of her Atlanta, Georgia residence shortly after receiving a delivery of a dozen long-stemmed pink roses in January 1987.

Investigations uncovered that she was targeted by hired hitman Phillip Anthony Harwood, who accepted a $25,000 payment for the act from her husband, James Vincent Sullivan.

It is worth mentioning that, a new true crime book by journalist Deb Miller Landau, titled 'A Devil Went Down to Georgia: Race, Power, Privilege, and the Murder of Lita McClinton,' delves into the case's details, shedding light on Lita's tragic death 45 years later.

Who was Lita McClinton?

Lita, the daughter of Georgia state representative JoAnn McClinton and former US Department of Transportation official Emory McClinton, was raised in affluent circles within African-American society. She frequented numerous gala events and exclusive clubs as part of her upbringing.

At 22 years old, she met James, a man ten years her senior, at an upscale boutique in Atlanta in 1976. Her mother, Jo Ann, described James as charming, thoughtful, and affable.

Originally from Boston, James amassed his wealth by inheriting a liquor distribution company from his uncle, which he later sold.

However, he grappled with adapting to his newfound millionaire lifestyle.

Lita played a crucial role in James' transformation, updating his appearance by restyling his hair, revamping his wardrobe, and switching from glasses to contact lenses.

After a year-long courtship, Lita and James exchanged vows in a modest ceremony in 1976, marking the beginning of their decade-long marriage.

In 1982, James developed an affinity for Palm Beach, Florida, and started searching for properties there.

He ultimately purchased a lavish 17,000-square-foot mansion for $4 million, situated just a few blocks from Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago.

James hoped that the mansion would solidify his status among the elite, but unfortunately, his aspirations were not realized.

What did attorney David Boone report?

Attorney David Boone, speaking in the documentary, remarked, "Jim finds out that being a white man, married to a black woman did not work for the Palm Beach social scene."

He shifted the blame onto Lita, leading to a growing divide between them characterized by affairs and cruelty.

Rapidly, James escalated his mistreatment of his wife, transforming into a frightening bully.

Deb, the author, said, “He'd grown into a terrifying bully, and she could hardly remember those early days when he, a handsome white man a decade older than her, had shown up with his quirky Boston accent and swept her off her fee.”

Eventually, Lita made the decision to leave, packing her bags and returning to Atlanta.

Deb shared, "At the time, her family had hoped the flame would burn out; Lita's parents knew what their daughter would be up against as the black half of an interracial couple in the South. Not to mention, they never liked Jim... he was brash and obnoxious, disrespectful of Southern norms.”

In 1985, she moved into a $400,000 townhouse and initiated divorce proceedings, seeking half of their estate, including the Palm Beach mansion.

What happened to Lita McClinton?

Tragedy struck on January 16, 1987, when a court hearing was scheduled for 2 pm to determine the validity of the former couple's prenuptial agreement.

At 8 am that day, the doorbell rang, drawing Lita to the front entrance. She answered the door, dressed in her pink silk housecoat, and was greeted by a delivery man.

Within moments of their encounter, the stranger thrust a box of roses into her arms, pushing her into the foyer. He then drew a gun from his coat pocket and fired twice.

One of the bullets proved fatal for Lita before the assailant fled the scene.

Lita's husband came under immediate scrutiny, though he maintained an alibi in Florida at the time of her murder. Unfortunately, the case went cold for over a decade.

Throughout this period, Lita's parents relentlessly pursued justice for their daughter, grappling with unanswered questions for 11 years. 

Despite a 1992 federal indictment against James being dismissed due to lack of evidence and a 1994 civil judgment for wrongful death initially overturned on appeal, justice remained out of reach.

In 1998, a significant breakthrough occurred when a woman claimed to be the girlfriend of truck driver Phillip Anthony Harwood, who had previously worked for James. She disclosed that Harwood received a $25,000 cash bundle from James, suggesting his involvement in Lita's murder to safeguard his financial interests amid the divorce.

Harwood was arrested in 1998 and pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in 2003. Meanwhile, an arrest warrant was issued for James, leading to his capture in Thailand in 2002.

During James' murder trial, Harwood initially agreed to testify but later asserted his innocence while on the stand.

Despite this, jurors convicted James of murder and several other charges in March 2006. The verdict was upheld by the state's supreme court in 2008, leading to a life sentence without parole for James.

Harwood received a 20-year prison sentence before being released in March 2018.