Fired by wealthy rancher Gil Borden (Stuart Whitman), shiftless Ed McKay (Murray Hamilton) decides to get even by pulling off a cruel practical joke. McKay goads Judd Calhoun (Peter Whitney), a gentle giant with mind of a child, to place burr under the saddle of Borden's horse. Unfortunately, it is Borden's wife Nora (Jean Allison) who is thrown from the horse and crippled for life--and it is innocent bystander Paladin, who'd helped Nora onto the horse, who is accused of causing the tragedy. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi