It May Have Taken 40 years, But Justice Has at Last Been Served.. Maybe..
Thursday, June 23, 2005Posted in: Uncategorized
41 Years After Three Murders, A Nation Puts To Rest Unfinished Business
The FBI distributed this poster in June 1964 announcing the disappearance of Andrew Goodman, James Earl Chaney and Michael Henry Schwerner. Their murders galvanized the civil rights movement.
I still recall my shock and horror at the film version of events, I’m sure glad I didn’t live in the American Deep South during those turbulent times full of hatred and anger.
These three men were shot to death, their station wagon was then torched, and their bodies bulldozed 17 feet under an earthen dam. Wow.
I’m happy that Edgar Ray Killen has been found guilty at last after never serving more than six years for his crimes, but why manslaughter and not murder?
Details of the timeline regarding this case can be found here
Maybe Mississippi can at last bury it’s shameful past…
Anonymous
June 23
11:26 am
I think this is one of those events which nobody wants to ever talk about. I’m not sure things are that much better.
McVane
June 23
2:15 pm
Murder is a planned unlawful killing and [voluntary] manslaughter is an unplanned unlawful killing [impulsive decision to kill].
I’m glad that there is a closure to this chapter and that justice is served.
McVane
June 23
2:16 pm
P.S. That is assuming that you’re wondering about the difference. If you meant why manslaughter, not murder, then I agree with you as I do believe that they planned to do it.
Karen Scott
June 23
2:40 pm
I was enquiring about why they didn’t find him guilty of murder rather than manslaughter, I thought it was totally pre-meditated.
Scott
June 23
2:55 pm
I think the manslaughter rap is ridiculous. I was explained that even if it is not pre-meditated (or impulse like maili said), it is still murder. Manslaughter is like killing someone in a car accident you created because you were driving recklessly, or some other careless act that you never intended to kill anyone, but because of your stupidity you did.
I just don’t understand this at all. And I think it is a shame that it took so damn long to get to this point.
Shesawriter
June 23
3:01 pm
Pre-meditated. You’re darned right it was pre-meditated. And the manslaughter horse droppings are a slap in the face to the victim’s families.
Also, remember, this is only ONE crime that we know about. Monsters like this usually have a bunch of bloody skeletins crammed in the proverbial closet, but only God knows.
In the interim, I hope some prisoner named “Tiny” makes a woman out of him every night until he faces the Ultimate Judge.
Tanya