It is a documented fact that he spent several hours interviewing both of the men. I read a story about his research into the novel and the accounts from the correctional staff collaborated his account.
The story I read was a bit different from the movie.
One that might follow your line of thinking was his attempts to get a stay of execution. He was reported to have said when ask that, "He thought he understood them."
There's a scarry thought.
I am a huge fan of Harper Lee and I found it interesting that they both provided two of the greatest literary works of the twentieth century.
Oh well.
