The three were killed June 21, 1964 on a rural dirt road as they drove to a church near Philadelphia, Mississippi to investigate a fire. Their bodies were found August 4, 1964 buried in a dam a few miles from the church. The investigation into the murders and the search for their bodies were featured in the 1988 movie Mississippi Burning.
Killen, who was alleged to be the leader of the local Klan, was tried in 1967 on federal charges of violating the three men's civil rights, but was freed when the trial ended in a hung jury. See Also: The 'Mississippi Burning' Case.
Latest Developments
Convicted Klansman Sues FBIFeb. 25, 2010
A former Klansman convicted in the deaths of three civil rights workers in 1964 is suing the FBI for using a mobster known as "The Grim Reaper" to force information from witnesses. Edgar Ray Killen claims his rights were violated in the multi-million dollar lawsuit.
Previous Developments
Judge Revokes Klansman's Appeal BailSept. 9, 2005
Saying he felt a fraud had been committed on the court, a Mississippi Judge revoked the bail of former Klansman Edgar Ray Killen and sent him back to prison for the manslaughter convictions of three civil rights workers in 1964.
Killen's Relative Threatened Judge, Officials Say
Aug. 16, 2005
In an effort to get the bail granted to convicted killer Edgar Ray Killen revoked, Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood filed papers asking the state Supreme Court to revoke the bond because relatives of Killen had threatened to kill the judge who granted the bail.
Edgar Ray Killen Is a Free Man
Aug. 12, 2005
Edgar Ray Killen, who was convicted last month of manslaughter in the death of three civil rights workers in 1964 and sentenced to 60 years in prison, has been released on $600,000 bond while his conviction is being appealed.
Edgar Ray Killen Guilty of Manslaughter
June 21, 2005
On the 41st anniversary of the murders of Michael Schwerner, Andrew Goodman and James Chaney a Mississippi jury of nine whites and three blacks found Edgar Ray Killen guilty of three counts of manslaughter.
Jury Deadlocked in 'Mississippi Burning' Case
June 20, 2005
The jury in the murder trial of reputed Ku Klux Klan member Edgar Ray Killen for the murders of three civil rights workers in 1964 told the judge they were deadlocked 6-6 and could not reach a verdict after deliberating about three hours Monday afternoon.
Prosecution Ends Case Against Edgar Ray Killen
June 18, 2005
The prosecution rested its case against Ku Klux Klan member Edgar Ray Killen in his trial for the murder of three civil rights workers in 1964 and the defense called Killen's family members who provided him with an alibi on the day of the murders.
Jury Hears Opening Statements
June 15, 2005
Opening arguments began today in the trial of Edgar Ray Killen. Here is the background of the 41-year-old murder case.
Jury Selection Begins in 'Mississippi Burning' Trial
June 13, 2005
Jury selection began in the trial of Edgar Ray Killen, now 80 years old, who watched the selection from a wheelchair in the courtroom.
Trial Delayed for Accused Mississippi Klansman
Feb. 24, 2005
Circuit Court Judge Marcus Gordon granted the delay to give his attorneys time to review new evidence that has been received since Killen's arrest.
Klansman Arrested in 1964 Civil Rights Murders
Jan. 4, 2005
Edgar Ray Killen, a member of the Ku Klux Klan, has been arrested and charged with three counts of murder in the 1964 shooting deaths of civil rights workers James Chaney, Andrew Goodman, and Michael Schwerner.
