I first heard the story from a Doc Watson version and that's what sticks with me. In the description Tom is described as one of those indidivuals who has matured before his proper age, a full beard at 14, and signs up to join the Army...too young. Then after early experience of killing comes home to take the affections of Laurie Foster who is underage.. clue being in the verse that says "he dug her grave four feet long.. he dug it three feet deep" The girl is only young, but, despite the same age as Tom, hence the community outrage and ballad about his offence. Debate about who was actually responsible might or might not be part of the truth. Was Sheriff Grayson implicated? In any event it seems from the song I learned that Tom was perhaps a victim of injustice and Grayson portrayed as a manipulative official. Could it ring true?