A Small Measure of Justice

Killen will stay in jail
By Jerry Mitchelll
Clarion Ledger

PHILADELPHIA — Circuit Judge Marcus Gordon concluded today that Edgar Ray Killen should remain in prison while he appeals his conviction for organizing the Klansmen who killed James Chaney, Andrew Goodman and Michael Schwerner on June 21, 1964.

“I’m not sure I have the authority” to grant an appeal bond, Gordon said at a hearing here Friday on Killen’s request to get out of jail. He noted that the state Supreme Court had rejected on a technicality the appeal of his decision to rescind an earlier appeal bond and that Killen’s lawyers had not refiled an appeal.

But Gordon added, even if he had the authority, there is “no evidence presented today” that would compel him to release Killen.

It is a sad irony to have to keep advocating for the right thing to happen in just this very small corner of the vast map of injustices in Mississippi. Still I am glad Killen will continue to do a little more of the time he deserves. He will not live long enough to adequately suffer appropriate consequences for his actions.

Comments

[Brandon]

Hip Hip Hooray!