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Ex-KKK man guilty in 1964 killing | Ex-KKK man guilty in 1964 killing |
(10 minutes later) | |
A former Ku Klux Klan member has been convicted by a US jury of kidnapping and conspiracy in connection with the 1964 murder of two black teenagers. | A former Ku Klux Klan member has been convicted by a US jury of kidnapping and conspiracy in connection with the 1964 murder of two black teenagers. |
James Seale, 71, a former policeman, was convicted over deaths of Charles Eddie Moore and Henry Hezekiah Dee. | James Seale, 71, a former policeman, was convicted over deaths of Charles Eddie Moore and Henry Hezekiah Dee. |
He could face life in prison for the crimes when he is sentenced in August. | He could face life in prison for the crimes when he is sentenced in August. |
The 19-year-olds were said to have been kidnapped and bundled into a vehicle owned by Seale before being tied up and drowned in the Mississippi river. | |
Seale was first arrested in 1964 but authorities freed him, citing lack of evidence. | Seale was first arrested in 1964 but authorities freed him, citing lack of evidence. |
The case was reopened after a campaign by Eddie Moore's brother who discovered Seale was still alive. Seale was rearrested in January. | The case was reopened after a campaign by Eddie Moore's brother who discovered Seale was still alive. Seale was rearrested in January. |
Dumped alive | Dumped alive |
The key witness in this case was a confessed Klansman, Charles Marcus Edwards. | The key witness in this case was a confessed Klansman, Charles Marcus Edwards. |
Seale was first arrested over the killings in 1964 | Seale was first arrested over the killings in 1964 |
In his testimony in Jackson, Mississippi, Mr Edwards said the two teenagers were stuffed alive into the trunk of Seale's car and driven to a farm. | In his testimony in Jackson, Mississippi, Mr Edwards said the two teenagers were stuffed alive into the trunk of Seale's car and driven to a farm. |
The indictment said he aimed a shotgun at the two black men while fellow Ku Klux Klan members beat them. | The indictment said he aimed a shotgun at the two black men while fellow Ku Klux Klan members beat them. |
Mr Edwards, who was granted immunity for his testimony, said Seale attached heavy weights to the boys and then dumped them alive into the river. | Mr Edwards, who was granted immunity for his testimony, said Seale attached heavy weights to the boys and then dumped them alive into the river. |
The defence argued Seale should be acquitted because the case was based on the word of an "admitted liar". | The defence argued Seale should be acquitted because the case was based on the word of an "admitted liar". |
The FBI is re-opening several cases from the civil rights era before suspects die. | The FBI is re-opening several cases from the civil rights era before suspects die. |
During the movement of the 1950s and 1960s, dozens of black people were killed by whites who wanted to retain racial segregation. | During the movement of the 1950s and 1960s, dozens of black people were killed by whites who wanted to retain racial segregation. |
Few of the crimes were solved, partly because some of the perpetrators were protected by state and local officials. | Few of the crimes were solved, partly because some of the perpetrators were protected by state and local officials. |