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will there finally be justice in the murders of three young civil rights workers? ...........



Defense opens in civil rights era murder trial







The defense called three witnesses today in the murder trial of Edgar Ray Killen, the reputed Klansman charged with killing three civil rights workers 41 years ago in Mississippi. Killen, 80, a part-time preacher and sawmill operator, is being tried on the first-ever state murder charges in the killings of Andrew Goodman, Michael Schwerner and James Chaney. He faces life in prison if convicted.

I doubt it very much that we will ever find out the truth.It might even start trouble all over again.

I hope they have a fair trying for Mr. Killen if he is guilty then set the records straight. I don't think prison is an option for a man his age. If he did it than yes these family should receive justice even if it's 40year later. I also hope that it doesn't open old wounds, that would be sad. :-1

there is an adage, justice delayed is justice denied.........however i think it's a matter of closing the books. three kids were brutally murdered, and their families need to know who did it in terms of a legal finding.there is no statute of limitations on murder. so if he is guilty, let him die a convicted murderer. ...and yes, he could be sent to prison despite his age, there are MANY elderly in prison who are serving life sentences. it's a huge expense to corrections departments and the public to provide their care.

There is no time limit on Justice IMO. I remember seeing old black and white (no pun intended) footage of some scenes in the courthouse and there were the "good old boy's" laughing and joking.

As to the age thing, at least he had an opportunity to reach 80 unlike his victims, if he is found guilty sling him in jail for what is left of his natural.

posted by jab

I'm with the Capt. on this one. When you have the citizenry saying things like "those three came down here lookin' for trouble; serves 'em right" I hardly think they are ready to put it behind them. And as old and sickly as Killen (rather appropriate name, wouldn't you say?) is, would they really put him in prison?


This may seem an odd question to you but is there still that kind of rampant racism in the US? If you watch some US TV series you would think not but is it still a major issue? Couldn't think of a more delicate way to ask the question.

I am sure lots of our American friends will answer GMC but here is my experience, having travelled quite widely all over the Eastern seaboar and the midwest i have encountered it only once and that was in a place called Troy just outside Detroit, it is the only place I have ever heard the N word.

This is by no means typical and I never saw racism again whilst I was up there.

IMO experience the races seemed to be sepearted by economics rather than racism, all of the poor areas I have seen in the USA were predominately black. I would have to add that i have never been to the southern states other than fleeting visits to georgia and Florida.

My observation is that racism in America is nothing at all like it used to be. Most Americans don’t harbor feelings of ill will toward people with a different colored skin. The problem is still alive though. There are a few, relatively speaking, who would kill over race and there is also anti-Semitism lurking below the surface. I’m of the opinion that those who are still racist are steeped in hatred and are a ticking time bomb.

Bothwell wrote: in a place called Troy just outside Detroit, it is the only place I have ever heard the N word.

How ironic....Troy, (located in Oakland county) is one of the richest counties in Michigan. Doesn't surprise me a bit that you heard that word there.



As for racism not being a problem, Clint, I think it is still very widespread. Of course, I am exposed to it more than a lot of people, because of my lifestyle, but I am not convinced we are much farther ahead than we were 40 years ago.

Pity I cannot say the same for Britain with the ikes of BNF and the Irish branch of same here. But of course they haven't murdered anyone Yet!.

the jury just told the judge they are deadlocked, that is ridiculous after one hour of deliberation! the judge is giving them what is known as a dynamite charge, where he tells them to go back and do the work! so they will deliberate tomorrow.

It will be watched with interest over here in the British Isles.

41 years to the day of the murders, killen has been found GUILTY...three counts of manslaughter. he should die in prison.

I hope he lives a long time. If he doesn't, he will have escaped justice...in this life anyway.