The KKK’s Day in Court
Clip: Season 10 Episode 1002 | 1m 34sVideo has Closed Captions
After five Black women are shot by members of the KKK, the three men face trial.
After five innocent Black women are shot by members of the KKK, the three men face trial by an all-white jury.
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Support for Reel South is made possible by the National Endowment for the Arts, the Center for Asian American Media and by SouthArts.
The KKK’s Day in Court
Clip: Season 10 Episode 1002 | 1m 34sVideo has Closed Captions
After five innocent Black women are shot by members of the KKK, the three men face trial by an all-white jury.
Problems with Closed Captions? Closed Captioning Feedback
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorshipRANDOLPH MCLAUGHLIN: The Klansmen were arrested immediately and prosecuted.
REPORTER: William Church is a self-imposed wizard of the Justice Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, but Deputy Police Chief Tom Kennedy said that the shootings of Saturday night should not be tied directly to the Klan, but instead, were the works of an individual.
TOM KENNEDY: They've been arrested and charged.
They'll have their day in court.
♪ ♪ SONYA ROLLINS: She said the streets during the court process, you could barely get in there.
Said they had police everywhere.
She was scared to just even go to court.
♪ ♪ RANDOLPH MCLAUGHLIN: Marshall Thrash admitted he had shot it, but he didn't intend to hurt anybody.
OK, you empty two shotguns into the bodies of five Black women, and you tell me you didn't intend to hurt anybody?
You're out of your mind.
He gets a nine-month sentence.
♪ ♪ The head of the Klan, Bill Church, and his little assistant, Larry Payne, they were acquitted of all charges.
All charges.
I mean, Church is driving the car while Marshall Thrash is shooting people, and that's not aiding and abetting the assault?
I mean, come on, it's crazy talk.
♪ ♪ [ambient music]
A Buried Statute Opens New Doors
Video has Closed Captions
A legal team working to get justice for victims of the KKK finds hope in a 150-year-old statute. (1m 11s)
How to Sue the Klan | Official Trailer
Video has Closed Captions
Five Black women take on the Klan in a landmark 1982 civil case for justice. (17s)
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Support for Reel South is made possible by the National Endowment for the Arts, the Center for Asian American Media and by SouthArts.