Rape

As a 25+ year resident of Conyers, I can say with no reservation that In the Heat of the Night was most assuredly filmed in Covington AND Conyers. As for the Hwy marker goes, ever hear of props? Yes they even changed hwy markers.

This opener doe season 3 strikes home at the Sparta, PD when Althea Tibbs is raped by one of her colleagues, music teacher Ken Marshall who has a problem with authority figures especially if they are black women.

This episode belongs to AnneMarie Johnson and her portrayal of a rape victim and to Howard Rollins who can barely conceal his rage.

DNA testing was a new technology at the time and DA Wilbur Fitzgerald it's untried at least in the state of Mississippi. Small words especially to the victim and the Sparta, PD.

The PD does have the last word however, you'll have to see the episode and find out.

Whoever wrote the credits for IMDb for this episode needs to go back and watch it again. The credits only list Wilbur Fitzgerald as "the D.A." with no name listed. When Gillespie, Virgil and Althea are in the DA's office, the desk plaque clearly says "Gerard Darnelle."

As for the doubt about this being filmed in Covington/Conyers, I went to high school in Newton County from 86-90 and I can tell you it most definitely is that area. I spent many hours at Porter Memorial Library, AKA the Sparta Police station. The high school on TV was actually a middle school. The house burned in "Ladybug, Ladybug" was a vacant house actually across from a warehouse. I even stumbled across the warehouse they used as their sound stage one night. I watched filming for the beauty pageant episode from my classroom and we were able to watch them between takes from the entrance next to the auditorium.

As for the street signs, I can tell you for a fact that other signs were changed on the square in Covington because they displayed the outline of GA due to being state highways.

I see where it states it was in Conyers GA. However in observing the show- there was a highway sign outside the supposed police station- when Bubba came out to tell about the rapist given bail and released, that stated Highway 43. There is no Highway 43 in or even near Conyers. So could part of it been filmed elsewhere? Now there is a Highway 43 on the Eastern side of Georgia in Thompson Georgia. Also there is one in Mississippi where the series is "supposed to be located. There is a Highway 443 near Conyers (if I miss looked) but it isn't actually in town but just outside the city limits. If you would review the show and see if you see what I am talking about and "maybe" correcting you story of my understanding.

Lastly it is ridiculous to require 10 lines when something would take 5.

I am a huge In the Heat of the Night fan. This episode is one of my favorites. It is not because of the story line, but because of the acting. Anne-Marie Johnson did a FANTASTIC job of portraying a rape victim. Her performance was realistic, emotional, and captivating. Though it was difficult to watch as she portrayed such extreme emotions, it was the best performances I've ever seen on this subject. Highly recommend!!! My children (10 year old girl and 8 year old boy) watched it with me. This show is so well done that it does not show anything inappropriate. Even with the story line, this show is okay for kids to watch. I love this show!!!