Harper Lee probe is closed with no finding of abuse
Alabama’s probe of Harper Lee’s ability to make decisions has closed with a finding of no abuse or neglect.
Lawyers for Lee, 88, said they were notified of the finding by the primary investigating agency, the Alabama Department of Human Resources, report the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal (sub. req.).
A second agency, the Alabama Securities Commission, closed its probe in mid-March with a finding that Lee appeared to be aware of a deal to publish a second book, Go Set a Watchman, discovered by her lawyer Tonja Carter.
When Lee first submitted the novel to editors in the 1950s, they rejected the book and asked her to instead write a book from the point of view of one of its characters, Scout, as a child. She followed their advice, and To Kill a Mockingbird was published in 1960.
Amazon is taking advance orders for the new book, set for a July 14 release. It is already 19th on a list of Amazon.com’s best sellers, the Wall Street Journal says.
