Atlanta Socialite Killed In Murder-For-Hire Plot

The FOX True Crime Podcast w/ Emily Compagno

Fox News

True Crime

4.8 • 708 Ratings

🗓️ 13 May 2025

⏱️ 60 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

The interracial marriage of Lita McClinton and Jim Sullivan caught the eyes of many in the elite Atlanta community in which they lived. But as their deteriorating relationship headed for divorce, Lita was shot and killed in a murder-for-hire plot before she was ever freed from the abusive marriage. Author Deb Miller Landau followed the case closely, covering its significance in the states of Georgia, Florida, and within the realm of true crime. She details the many twists and turns within the story, as told in her book, A Devil Went Down To Georgia. Follow Emily on Instagram: @realemilycompagno If you have a story or topic we should feature on the FOX True Crime Podcast, send us an email at: [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:29.7	The 1980s marked a period of rapid change in growth for the state of Georgia. In the decades
0:35.7	leading up to that point, constitutional changes such as
0:38.9	Brown v. Board of Education, the Civil Rights Act, the Voting Rights Act, and Loving v. Virginia all paved
0:45.9	the way for black families and communities to grow and prosper. And Lita McClinton watched all
0:51.9	this history unfold before her eyes. Born January 7, 1952, to Georgia State Representative Joanne McClinton
1:00.0	and Department of Transportation official Emery McClinton,
1:03.0	Lita was a member of Atlanta's Black Elite.
1:07.0	Those who knew her saw her as a polished, elegant, and kind woman who knew how to navigate all levels of society.
1:14.9	In 1976, Lita met her future husband, James Jim Sullivan, while she was working at an upscale boutique in Atlanta's Lennox Square.
1:25.5	At first, Jim would wine and dine, Lita, taking her out on the town,
1:30.1	showering her with nice gifts, casting a spotlight on her that made her feel like the most important
1:35.7	person in his life. To outsiders, Jim and Lita were a peculiar couple. She was stylish, he was not.
1:44.0	She, a southern bell, he a brash New Englander.
1:47.6	And most importantly, to some, she was black and he was white. Despite the skepticism of her
1:53.5	friends, family, and community, Lita loved Jim and married him. But before long, Jim shut off the spotlight and made Lita's life a living hell.
2:08.9	I'm Emily Campano, and this is the Fox True Crime podcast.
2:20.3	Thank you. The The On the day before their wedding, Jim revealed to Lita that he had an ex-wife and four children.
	...

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