Justice

Court is in Session or Recess?

The first day of testimonies ended up being less than predictable. One moment court is in session while the next moment the court is recessed for "some period of time."

[Lynette's Note] My Heart Belongs To Daddy

Men fascinate me, and have for, oh, I'd say almost the entire 57 years I've been on this spinning orb. Men are deftly driving behemoth trains and trucks, fixing failed computers, making music on guitars and saxophones and turntables, frying fish and jalapenos, grilling steaks and pork tenderloins, coaching teams of youngsters, writing books, kneading bread or shaping burgers, wielding a chef's knife or brush or a computer program or a camera or a potter's wheel or a hammer in the name of creativity—loving and working for their families, friends, their cities and towns—all while expounding and enlightening and entertaining and enlivening.

Opener: Killen Not on Trial for ‘Knowledge' of Crime

Well, the jury was finally chosen and opening arguments were heard. There are 12 members of the jury with an additional 5 alternates. The jury consists of 9 white women, 4 white men, 2 black women, and 2 black men. All are between the ages of 30-60.

Opening Statement/Audio Glitch

The trial's opening statements happened early this afternoon—but the judge forgot to turn the audio switch on, so only the people in the courtroom could hear it, and then only faintly. That means that the MPB and Court TV audiences didn't hear the statements, nor did the reporters in the media room. Tje "operator error" was, as the cameramen were calling it, because the judge had the switch turned toward the red light, which actually meant "off," which seems a bit backward, and I could frankly see why he'd make the mistake. Hopefully, tomorrow the tech stuff will be in better order. Meantime, I'm looking for a transcript of the opening statements.

Face to Face with Killen

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photo by Kate Medley: Edgar Ray Killen is helped into his car as his wife and supporters look on.

Just In: Opening Arguments Start Wednesday

We just got word that jury selection is over (or nearly over), and opening arguments will start tomorrow (Wednesday). It is predicted that the trial will end by the end of next week, although that isn't certain, of course.

Killen Trial — Tuesday News Round-up

Today, the Los Angeles Times has a good news piece co-written by Jenny Jarvie (who was one of the reporters who saw the Klan wizard at Killen's house Sunday night). Jenny (who is British) seems to be trying very hard to tell a balanced story, including about new generations of Mississippi. Kudos to her.

Thoughts on a Monday—in Philadelphia, Miss.

There was an eerie sense of expectation surrounding downtown Philadelphia, Miss., on this soon-to-be infamous afternoon. It was quiet...almost too quiet, underneath the blanket of sweltering humidity.

One-third of Jury Pool Black Today

Emily Wagster Pettus reports today:

Sovereignty Commission Blog

Delta woman Susan Klopfer has started a Mississippi Sovereignty Commission blog to highlight relevant parts of the Sovereignty Files (which are searchable online here. It is very important to understand that murders of Chaney, Goodman and Schwerner (and others) were not just the work of a few Klansmen. The state-funded Sovereignty Commission was set up as a spy agency to keep segregation in place and keep out "agitators" (civil-rights supporters).

Mississippians Wary of Civil-Rights Trial

A JFP blogger posted this link in our media forum to an AP story about Philadelphia and the people's attitudes toward the trial. I decided to move it to the Neshoba Blog. It begins:

Barnett Confession Alleges Role of Burrage

Horace Doyle Barnett's Nov. 20, 1964, confession to the FBI

I was just provided this confession from 1964 by one of the alleged conspiractors in the murders. I have not verified its authenticity. It is pasted verbatim.

The Trial Begins ... Officially

We left Jackson early (7 a.m.!) to get to Philadelphia for the official opening of the trial — although there is not a lot of activity to cover today. There was a bit of excitement when Killen was wheeled into the courthouse — alongside J.J. Harper! Some reporters were asking his attorney why he was with a Klansman, and then Minna (Skau of Politken in Denmark, our friend from the day before) whipped out the business card Mr. Harper had given her the day before to show his Klan connection.

‘A Wider Examination'?

Journalist Oliver Staley is writing good stories in the Commercial Appeal in Memphis, trying to address larger questions along the way. He walked up to me today on the court square and told me that one of my old columns for the Progressive Populist (about Charles Pickering) inspired him to look into the investigative reports in the Sovereignty Files that fed information, including the station wagon's license plate number, to the local law enforcement and the Klan. He had a copy of my column printed out.

The Scene of the Crime ... and a Klansman

After leaving Mt. Zion, I took the women reporters to Road 515, also known as Rock Cut Road, to show them where the three men were taken and killed.

Ellington