Ep 10. Crimes of the KKK

In Cold Case Files season 2 episode 10, titled "Crimes of the KKK," investigative journalist and author Jerry Mitchell sets out to revisit a string of unsolved murders and arson cases during the 1960s that were linked to the Ku Klux Klan. Many of the victims were Civil Rights activists who were targeted for their involvement in the movement.

Mitchell speaks with surviving family members and other witnesses who recount the events leading up to the crimes and the intimidation tactics used by the Klan to maintain power and control over the African-American community. The episode delves into the investigations conducted at the time, which were fraught with corruption and obstruction, and the difficulties faced by law enforcement officials who tried to bring the perpetrators to justice.

One of the cases featured in the episode is the bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama in 1963, which killed four young African-American girls. Despite evidence linking members of the Klan to the bombing, it took over a decade for any arrests to be made. The episode follows the efforts of the families and others who sought to keep the case alive and bring the perpetrators to trial.

Another case explored in the episode concerns the murder of Chaney, Goodman, and Schwerner - three Civil Rights activists who were abducted and killed by Klan members in Mississippi in 1964. The episode examines the role that local law enforcement and the FBI played in investigating the case and the challenges they faced in obtaining evidence and cooperation from witnesses.

Through interviews with former Klan members, including one who became an informant for the FBI, and other witnesses, the episode sheds light on the mindset and motivations of those involved in the crimes. The episode also highlights the ongoing efforts of communities and organizations to seek justice for the victims and hold those responsible accountable.

"Crimes of the KKK" is a gripping and emotional episode that uncovers the depth of racial violence and injustice that persisted during the Civil Rights era and the continuing struggle to address its legacy. The episode serves as a poignant reminder that the fight for equality and justice is ongoing and requires ongoing vigilance and effort.