Ep 2. The Ghosts of Bogalusa

The Injustice Files is a true crime series that uncovers stories of victims who have been failed by the criminal justice system. In season 1 episode 2, entitled "The Ghosts of Bogalusa," viewers are taken to a small town in Louisiana that has a dark history of racism and violence.

The episode starts with the story of a young black man named Leonard Ford who was murdered by the Ku Klux Klan in 1964. Even though three KKK members were charged with his murder, they were all acquitted by an all-white jury. The case went unsolved for decades until Leonard's brother, Thomas, decided to launch his own investigation.

Thomas Ford begins by going through his brother's old case files and talking to witnesses who were too afraid to testify against the KKK back in the 60s. As he delves deeper, he uncovers a web of corruption that extends all the way up to the local police department and town government. He also discovers that there were other unsolved murders of black men in the area around the same time as his brother's killing.

The episode shifts to the story of another black man who was killed in Bogalusa in the 60s - this time by police officers. Clarence Triggs was a well-respected member of the community and a civil rights activist. One night, he was pulled over by the police for a minor traffic violation. The situation escalated and the officers beat him to death. Just like with Leonard Ford's case, no one was held accountable for Clarence's death.

As Thomas Ford continues his investigation, he connects with other families who have also been failed by the Bogalusa justice system. One of these families is that of Ronald Henry, a black man who was shot by a white police officer in the late 70s. The officer claimed self-defense, but the evidence pointed to murder. Once again, justice was not served.

"The Ghosts of Bogalusa" is a heart-wrenching episode that highlights the deep-seated racism and corruption that existed (and arguably still exists) in many small Southern towns. The families of the victims are brave for speaking out and seeking justice, but it's clear that they've been fighting an uphill battle for decades. The injustice they've faced is a stark reminder of just how much work needs to be done to combat systemic racism in America.