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 DaddyMen 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 …
Opener: Killen Not on Trial for ‘Knowledge' of CrimeWell, 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. …
Opening Statement/Audio GlitchThe 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 …
Face to Face with Killen<b>photo by Kate Medley:</b> <i>Edgar Ray Killen is helped into his car as his wife and supporters look on.</i>
Just In: Opening Arguments Start WednesdayWe 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-upToday, 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 …
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.
Sovereignty Commission BlogDelta 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 …
Mississippians Wary of Civil-Rights TrialA 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 BurrageI 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 ... OfficiallyWe 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 …
‘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 …
The Scene of the Crime ... and a KlansmanAfter 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.