The Killen Trial

The trial of reputed Klansman Edgar Ray Killen, the man indicted for masterminding the murders of three cival rights workers in my hometown of Philadelphia, Mississippi, is moving along and could go to the jury as quickly as today. Unfortunately I haven't been able to watch any of the trial coverage available on the web through WJTV's website but I have been reading as much as I can about it. I think the state has presented its case well but I'm not too sure if they've done a good enough job for the jury to be without reasonable doubt. The fact that Attorney General Jim Hood asked Judge Marcus Gordon to allow the jury to consider a charge of manslaughter ought to be in indication that they're not very confident.

The defense is expected to present their final witness, Harlan Majure, today (although I'm still trying to figure out why he's testifying for the defense--I hope we're not about to find out something bad about one of the elders from my church). After closing arguments the jury will deliberate for God knows how long on a verdict.

One think that I am absolutely apauld at is what some people are saying about the trial. WJTV's website has an area where people can leave their thoughts about the trial. Some examples:

submitter: Tammy
hometown: Carthage
I THINK MR.KILLEN IS NOT GUILTY!! YALL LEAVE HIM ALONE!! HE MADE PEACE WITH GOD!!!!!

submitter: me
hometown: philadelphia
i think that if a life is taken then the person that took that life should be punished. but on the other hand if the three young men, had threating phone in meridian and philadelphia, they know what they were getting into when they came back down south.

submitter: leigh
hometown: carthage
I think it is all bull---- and i think that the the klan is doing nothing wrong. Killen should be home enjoying his old age like every other old person. Every black person feels threatened by the KKK. They always have some racial comment. Thats the south if you dont like it move the hell up north. KILLEN IS INNOCENT and if the klan wants to be there no one should make them leave. You wouldn't make the black panthers leave would you.

I hope and pray that people like this are the very vocal minority. Submitter "me" seems to feel that the three young men deserved to be murdered. Really, is that how you feel? Come on, man. Use that tiny brain of yours for something other than following high school football.

"Leigh" needs to get out of the trailor and realize that the south has come a long way since 1964. Hey "Leigh," that is NOT the way the south is. That's the way it used to be, not the way it is now. Put down the Boone's Farm, turn Oprah off and read a damned newspaper from time to time. Maybe you're the one who needs to move so that the south won't look so bad. It's biggots like you who make all southerners look like the toothless rednecks that the press like to portray is as.

"Tammy," I'd love to believe that a man of God couldn't be guilty of such crimes. Maybe it's not, I'm not the one who's going to make that decision. No matter what the judge and jury decide God will be the ultimate judge of Mr. Killen. However, her's not look further than the Roman Catholic Church to see evidence of what "men of God" are capable of. If Catholic priests (thankfully not a majority of them) can be guilty of molesting little boys, Mr. Killen is just as capable or murder.

But not all is lost. There are a few people who seem to have a clue:

submitter: latasha
hometown: philadelphia
As I serve as a young citizen from Philadelphia and living here most of my life I spent most of my senior year of high school doing research on this trial and the killing of the three civil rights workers. After looking over all the things that happened I feel that justice should be served to Mr.killens if he did take part in this because I'm sure the others are or will face the lord up above. I will continue to watch the rest of the trial and hope that everyone that took part serve justice and put an end to all the ghosts in Philadelphia

submitter: June
hometown: Port Gibson, MS
In my opinion, it is never too late for justice to be served. The fact that Killen is elderly does not erase the incredible pain that the families of the three murdered activists have endured over the past 4 decades. Killen should be treated in the same manner as any other U.S. citizen who is indicted by a grand jury. If there was sufficient evidence to bring his case to trial, the judical process should proceed accordingly. This trial represents an opportunity for Mississippi to make a huge step forward in healing past wounds and forging new and promising relationships within the state and throughout the nation. The value in the trial is not represented by whether or not Killen is found guilty. The value and the ultimate lesson lies squarely in the "reality" that Mississippi was willing to address the issue. The eyes of the world are upon our state; let justice reign!!

submitter: Watching You
hometown: Jackson, MS
To the White Southerner and all the other racists. This is a new South, a new time and a new day. It should be obvious to you IDIOTS. This is why the TRIAL is taking place as you read this email. We will not longer put up with your white trash, low-life behavior. Those DAYS ARE OVER! So accept it and shut the hell up.

What? There are people with brains in the south? WOW! "Watching You" said it best. Well said, my friend!

But of all the comments I read, this one was my favorite:

submitter: d harrison
hometown: monticello
he did not do it just like oj did not do it

I'm assuming you're refering to the fact that OJ really did do it... if so, LMAO

This trial has revealed much about the new south. People DO want to see justice served. Racism is pretty much DEAD. For those rednecks who want to keep the Klan alive and advocate racism, I hope you have a great life in the trailor park. The rest of us who are civalized and educated will have to foot the bill for your welfare, however, so don't be surprised if you don't get much respect from us REAL human beings.

The racist rednecks: Scum.

--Jonathan