Posted on 02/11/2005 8:12:55 PM PST by WKB
JACKSON, Miss. (AP) - Edgar Ray Killen, the reputed Klansman accused of killing three civil rights workers in Mississippi in 1964, says he knew nothing about the deaths until he heard media reports about the case. Killen was interviewed by Jackson television station W-J-T-V, which began airing brief segments of the interview early this week in advance of running the full interview beginning tonight. Killen told W-J-T-V he wasn't shocked by his indictment after so many years. Killen also said he was at a funeral home when the murders occurred. Quoting here from the W-J-T-V interview: "It looks like they had no legal thing," Killen said. "It was surprising but I wasn't shocked. I've not had a fast heart rate yet." W-J-T-V began showing brief takeouts of its interview earlier this week.
In a 1999 interview with The Clarion-Ledger newspaper of Jackson, Killen had claimed he was at a wake when the murders occurred. In that interview he also denied being a member of the Klan or having a part in the Neshoba County murders. Killen did not immediately return calls placed today by The Associated Press to his Union home. His attorney was also unavailable for comment. District Attorney Mark Duncan said it appeared Killen was again talking to the media in a bid "to influence the jury pool." The 80-year-old part-time preacher was indicted last month in the killings of Michael Schwerner and Andrew Goodman, both of New York, and James Chaney of Meridian. Schwerner, Goodman and Chaney were murdered by Ku Klux Klansmen and their bodies buried in an earthen dam. The brutal killings focused national attention on the civil rights struggle in Mississippi. Nineteen men, including Killen, were indicted on federal charges in the case. Killen's case ended in a hung jury, but seven others were convicted in 1967 of violating the victims' civil rights. None served more than six years. Killen is free on 250-thousand dollars bond and faces a March 28th trial. While Killen claimed he knew nothing of the three civil rights workers, in F-B-I files and court transcripts from the 1967 trial, Killen is alleged not only to have participated in the crime, but to have handled most, if not all, of the planning.
You're eighteen years old.
You've read about it.
I was there.
Lived in Memphis.
MS was the hot bed. followed by Alabama.
I was in Clarkdale the day LBJ signed the
civil rights bill... remember the day CLEARLY:
July 2, 1964. I lived in Memphis.
Yes ugly times, but revisionism and political
ambitions are running rampant right now.
Too bad, but blacks have shown they're just as
low down and dirty when they have the chance: OJ Simpson jury.
"Lived in Memphis."
I didn't know that.
Oh yeah.
Lived in Memphis all of '64
and part of '65. Went to Clarksdale
a LOT... wet county...lol.
"Yes ugly times, but revisionism and political
ambitions are running rampant right now."
Absolutely right.
Sickening, however fascinating, to watch.
"Too bad, but blacks have shown they're just as
low down and dirty when they have the chance: OJ Simpson jury."
That was LA. And, the big cities. However, in small town
Southern America, there is a growing black middle class.
Please...try not to be so pessimistic.
I have black neighbors.
One family directly across the street,
and another family directly behind me.
They're definitely middle class and really
nice folks. We visit back and forth, and
went to Mardi Gras parade together. Nice
tight neighborhood. VERY HAPPY HERE.
If the MSM has their way it will be a rendition of the vaunted case "The Queen v Alice." Verdict first, trial later.
They were a terrorist organisation.
And they were all democrats, in fact back then if you wanted to be somebody in the dixiecrats you first had to be a member of the klan. After seeing what the welfare society imposed by the democrats has done to the Black community I have to conclude that they are still on the same track that they started out on in the 1840s.
THAT is what I'm talking about. ;o)
And, that is what is overlooked.
I lived in an integrated middle
class neighborhood in the late 70s.
People seem to equate ALL Southerners
with inner Atlanta, N'Awlins, Jackson,
Detroit, LA...
I'm glad you are so happy.
I wish I could be there.
" ALL Southerners"
Well...I meant to say
ALL blacks.
Not sure when that will be yet.
But, thank you.
They may not be wearing hoods anymore, but if you look at the way Condi Rice and Colin Powell have been treated, they sure haven't changed a whole lot since then.
You need to meet the "lawyer" and the other guy too.
Both so nice and both are FUNNY. We can do a lunch meeting...lol.
EXCELLENT POINT!
Thank you.
You're so right.
Condi, Powell, Justice Thomas...
the ones who knock them, ought to
try to emulate them or at least respect
them for their achievements.
"You need to meet the "lawyer" and the other guy too.
Both so nice and both are FUNNY. We can do a lunch meeting...lol."
I think I could use some "legal", and "other" advise.
Lunch would be great!
I have abolutely no doubt that those two are a "must meet".
And, you, as well. ;o)
I enjoyed the Civil Rights Movement during the Summer of 1978 during the Memphis Fireman's strike. I was pulling duty with a National Guard Unit the weekend it erupted and got to see diversity at its finest. Just look at how Memphis has progressed since diversity has hit city hall and the county government.
I am surprised nobody yet said, "Some people need Killen."
I see them as nothing more than idiots with wrong views wearing white hoods. Terrorist organization? Bit of a hyperbole wouldn't you say?
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