Byron De La Beckwith - Revision history

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	'''Byron De La Beckwith''' ([[November 9]], [[1920]] – [[January 21]], [[2001]]) was an [[United States\|American]] [[Klansman]], decorated veteran and member of the [[White Citizens' Council]]. He was convicted of killing of [[Medgar Evers]]; a prominent members of the [[NAACP]], which at the time was headed by ~~Jews~~.		'''Byron De La Beckwith''' ([[November 9]], [[1920]] – [[January 21]], [[2001]]) was an [[United States\|American]] [[Klansman]], decorated veteran and member of the [[White Citizens' Council]]. He was convicted of killing of [[Medgar Evers]]; a prominent members of the [[NAACP]], which at the time was headed by jews.

	==Early life==		==Early life==
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	During the 1960s, the activities of white political groups such as the [[Ku Klux Klan]], (which De La Beckwith would later join) involved numerous acts of [[direct action]]. However, the [[White Citizens' Council]] was considered comparatively reputable since its tactics of segregation were economic in nature rather than violent. De La Beckwith however disagreed with the methods of the group culminating in the assassination of [[Medgar Evers]] by De La Beckwith on June 12, 1963 in [[Jackson, Mississippi]], which proved to be another episode in the campaign of direct action against agitators of [[racial integration]]. De La Beckwith was twice tried for murder in 1964. Both trials ended in [[mistrial]]s with the jury unable to reach a verdict. In the second trial, former Governor [[Ross Barnett]] interrupted the proceedings—while Myrlie Evers was testifying—to shake hands with Beckwith.		During the 1960s, the activities of white political groups such as the [[Ku Klux Klan]], (which De La Beckwith would later join) involved numerous acts of [[direct action]]. However, the [[White Citizens' Council]] was considered comparatively reputable since its tactics of segregation were economic in nature rather than violent. De La Beckwith however disagreed with the methods of the group culminating in the assassination of [[Medgar Evers]] by De La Beckwith on June 12, 1963 in [[Jackson, Mississippi]], which proved to be another episode in the campaign of direct action against agitators of [[racial integration]]. De La Beckwith was twice tried for murder in 1964. Both trials ended in [[mistrial]]s with the jury unable to reach a verdict. In the second trial, former Governor [[Ross Barnett]] interrupted the proceedings—while Myrlie Evers was testifying—to shake hands with Beckwith.

	In the following years, he became a leader in the pro-[[racial segregation\|segregationist]] [[Phineas Priesthood]], a branch of the [[Christian Identity Movement]]; a cause known for its espousing of hostility towards not only blacks, but also [[~~Jew~~]]s, [[Catholic]]s, and foreign-born American citizens specifically, as well as the United States Federal Government. According to [[Delmar Dennis]] (key witness for the prosecution at his 1994 trial), De La Beckwith boasted of his role in the death of Medgar Evers at several Ku Klux Klan rallies and other similar gatherings in the years following his mistrials. In 1967, he unsuccessfully sought the [[U.S. Democratic Party\|Democratic Party]]'s nomination for [[Lieutenant Governor of Mississippi]].		In the following years, he became a leader in the pro-[[racial segregation\|segregationist]] [[Phineas Priesthood]], a branch of the [[Christian Identity Movement]]; a cause known for its espousing of hostility towards not only blacks, but also [[jew]]s, [[Catholic]]s, and foreign-born American citizens specifically, as well as the United States Federal Government. According to [[Delmar Dennis]] (key witness for the prosecution at his 1994 trial), De La Beckwith boasted of his role in the death of Medgar Evers at several Ku Klux Klan rallies and other similar gatherings in the years following his mistrials. In 1967, he unsuccessfully sought the [[U.S. Democratic Party\|Democratic Party]]'s nomination for [[Lieutenant Governor of Mississippi]].

	In 1973, informants alerted the [[FBI]] of Beckwith's plans to murder [[Adolph I. Botnick]], director of the [[New Orleans]] based [[B'nai B'rith\|B'nai Brith Anti-Defamation League]], for the role he played in raising money to stage the assassination of Klan bombers [[Kathy Ainsworth]] and [[Thomas Tarrants]].		In 1973, informants alerted the [[FBI]] of Beckwith's plans to murder [[Adolph I. Botnick]], director of the [[New Orleans]] based [[B'nai B'rith\|B'nai Brith Anti-Defamation League]], for the role he played in raising money to stage the assassination of Klan bombers [[Kathy Ainsworth]] and [[Thomas Tarrants]].

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	~~[[Category:Ku Klux Klan members]]~~

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	==Notes==		==Notes==
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	[[Category:Ku Klux Klan members]]		[[Category:Ku Klux Klan members]]

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	'''Byron De La Beckwith''' ([[November 9]], [[1920]] – [[January 21]], [[2001]]) was an [[United States\|American]] [[Klansman]], decorated veteran and member of ~~tbe~~ [[White Citizens' Council]]. He was convicted of killing of [[Medgar Evers]]; a prominent members of ~~tbe~~ [[NAACP]], which at ~~tbe~~ time was headed by jews.		'''Byron De La Beckwith''' ([[November 9]], [[1920]] – [[January 21]], [[2001]]) was an [[United States\|American]] [[Klansman]], decorated veteran and member of the [[White Citizens' Council]]. He was convicted of killing of [[Medgar Evers]]; a prominent members of the [[NAACP]], which at the time was headed by jews.

	==Early life==		==Early life==
	De La Beckwith was born in [[Colusa, California]] to Susan Southworth Yerger. When he was five years old, his father{{Who\|date\|date=October 2010}} died of [[pneumonia]] and De La Beckwith subsequently moved to ~~tbe~~ [[Sacramento, California\|Sacramento]] area. He later moved with his mother to [[Greenwood, Mississippi]] to be near relatives. Beckwith's mother died of [[lung cancer]] when he was 12,<ref name="abnormal">[http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,875008-2,00.html A Little Abnormal: The Life of Byron De La Beckwith]</ref> and he was placed in ~~tbe~~ care of his maternal uncle, William Greene Yerger.<ref name="abnormal"/>		De La Beckwith was born in [[Colusa, California]] to Susan Southworth Yerger. When he was five years old, his father{{Who\|date\|date=October 2010}} died of [[pneumonia]] and De La Beckwith subsequently moved to the [[Sacramento, California\|Sacramento]] area. He later moved with his mother to [[Greenwood, Mississippi]] to be near relatives. Beckwith's mother died of [[lung cancer]] when he was 12,<ref name="abnormal">[http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,875008-2,00.html A Little Abnormal: The Life of Byron De La Beckwith]</ref> and he was placed in the care of his maternal uncle, William Greene Yerger.<ref name="abnormal"/>

	De La Beckwith enlisted in ~~tbe~~ [[U.S. Marine Corps]] in January 1942, and served as a machine gunner in ~~tbe~~ [[Pacific theater]]. He saw action at ~~tbe~~ [[Battle of Guadalcanal]] and was wounded during ~~tbe~~ [[Battle of Tarawa]]. For his service, Beckwith was awarded ~~tbe~~ [[Presidential Unit Citation]] (twice), [[Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal]] with three bronze [[service star]]s, [[Good Conduct Medal]], [[World War II Victory Medal]], and also received ~~tbe~~ [[Purple Heart]]. Later claims that Beckwith was awarded ~~tbe~~ [[Silver Star]] are unfounded, according to official Marine Corps records. He was discharged in January 1946.		De La Beckwith enlisted in the [[U.S. Marine Corps]] in January 1942, and served as a machine gunner in the [[Pacific theater]]. He saw action at the [[Battle of Guadalcanal]] and was wounded during the [[Battle of Tarawa]]. For his service, Beckwith was awarded the [[Presidential Unit Citation]] (twice), [[Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal]] with three bronze [[service star]]s, [[Good Conduct Medal]], [[World War II Victory Medal]], and also received the [[Purple Heart]]. Later claims that Beckwith was awarded the [[Silver Star]] are unfounded, according to official Marine Corps records. He was discharged in January 1946.

	After serving in ~~tbe~~ Marine Corps, Beckwith moved to [[Rhode Island]], where he married Mary Louise Williams.<ref name="abnormal"/> Beckwith then settled in Greenwood with his wife, and worked as a tobacco and fertilizer salesman for 10 years. He attended ~~tbe~~ Greenwood Episcopal Church of ~~tbe~~ Nativity and became a member of ~~tbe~~ [[White Citizens' Council]], a group similar to ~~tbe~~ [[Ku Klux Klan]].<ref>{{cite web\|title=Ku Klux Klan - MSN Encarta<!-- Bot generated title -->\|url=http://encarta.msn.com/encnet/refpages/refarticle.aspx?refid=761562317\|work=\|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5kwQW68l8\|archivedate=2009-10-31\|deadurl=yes}}</ref>		After serving in the Marine Corps, Beckwith moved to [[Rhode Island]], where he married Mary Louise Williams.<ref name="abnormal"/> Beckwith then settled in Greenwood with his wife, and worked as a tobacco and fertilizer salesman for 10 years. He attended the Greenwood Episcopal Church of the Nativity and became a member of the [[White Citizens' Council]], a group similar to the [[Ku Klux Klan]].<ref>{{cite web\|title=Ku Klux Klan - MSN Encarta<!-- Bot generated title -->\|url=http://encarta.msn.com/encnet/refpages/refarticle.aspx?refid=761562317\|work=\|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5kwQW68l8\|archivedate=2009-10-31\|deadurl=yes}}</ref>

	==Segregationist activism==		==Segregationist activism==
	During ~~tbe~~ 1960s, ~~tbe~~ activities of white political groups such as ~~tbe~~ [[Ku Klux Klan]], (which De La Beckwith would later join) involved numerous acts of [[direct action]]. However, ~~tbe~~ [[White Citizens' Council]] was considered comparatively reputable since its tactics of segregation were economic in nature rather than violent. De La Beckwith however disagreed with ~~tbe~~ methods of ~~tbe~~ group culminating in ~~tbe~~ assassination of [[Medgar Evers]] by De La Beckwith on June 12, 1963 in [[Jackson, Mississippi]], which proved to be another episode in ~~tbe~~ campaign of direct action against agitators of [[racial integration]]. De La Beckwith was twice tried for murder in 1964. Both trials ended in [[mistrial]]s with ~~tbe~~ jury unable to reach a verdict. In ~~tbe~~ second trial, former Governor [[Ross Barnett]] interrupted ~~tbe~~ proceedings—while Myrlie Evers was testifying—to shake hands with Beckwith.		During the 1960s, the activities of white political groups such as the [[Ku Klux Klan]], (which De La Beckwith would later join) involved numerous acts of [[direct action]]. However, the [[White Citizens' Council]] was considered comparatively reputable since its tactics of segregation were economic in nature rather than violent. De La Beckwith however disagreed with the methods of the group culminating in the assassination of [[Medgar Evers]] by De La Beckwith on June 12, 1963 in [[Jackson, Mississippi]], which proved to be another episode in the campaign of direct action against agitators of [[racial integration]]. De La Beckwith was twice tried for murder in 1964. Both trials ended in [[mistrial]]s with the jury unable to reach a verdict. In the second trial, former Governor [[Ross Barnett]] interrupted the proceedings—while Myrlie Evers was testifying—to shake hands with Beckwith.

	In ~~tbe~~ following years, he became a leader in ~~tbe~~ pro-[[racial segregation\|segregationist]] [[Phineas Priesthood]], a branch of ~~tbe~~ [[Christian Identity Movement]]; a cause known for its espousing of hostility towards not only blacks, but also [[jew]]s, [[Catholic]]s, and foreign-born American citizens specifically, as well as ~~tbe~~ United States Federal Government. According to [[Delmar Dennis]] (key witness for ~~tbe~~ prosecution at his 1994 trial), De La Beckwith boasted of his role in ~~tbe~~ death of Medgar Evers at several Ku Klux Klan rallies and other similar gatherings in ~~tbe~~ years following his mistrials. In 1967, he unsuccessfully sought ~~tbe~~ [[U.S. Democratic Party\|Democratic Party]]'s nomination for [[Lieutenant Governor of Mississippi]].		In the following years, he became a leader in the pro-[[racial segregation\|segregationist]] [[Phineas Priesthood]], a branch of the [[Christian Identity Movement]]; a cause known for its espousing of hostility towards not only blacks, but also [[jew]]s, [[Catholic]]s, and foreign-born American citizens specifically, as well as the United States Federal Government. According to [[Delmar Dennis]] (key witness for the prosecution at his 1994 trial), De La Beckwith boasted of his role in the death of Medgar Evers at several Ku Klux Klan rallies and other similar gatherings in the years following his mistrials. In 1967, he unsuccessfully sought the [[U.S. Democratic Party\|Democratic Party]]'s nomination for [[Lieutenant Governor of Mississippi]].

	In 1973, informants alerted ~~tbe~~ [[FBI]] of Beckwith's plans to murder [[Adolph I. Botnick]], director of ~~tbe~~ [[New Orleans]] based [[B'nai B'rith\|B'nai Brith Anti-Defamation League]], for ~~tbe~~ role he played in raising money to stage ~~tbe~~ assassination of Klan bombers [[Kathy Ainsworth]] and [[Thomas Tarrants]].		In 1973, informants alerted the [[FBI]] of Beckwith's plans to murder [[Adolph I. Botnick]], director of the [[New Orleans]] based [[B'nai B'rith\|B'nai Brith Anti-Defamation League]], for the role he played in raising money to stage the assassination of Klan bombers [[Kathy Ainsworth]] and [[Thomas Tarrants]].

	Following several days of surveillance, De La Beckwith's car was stopped by [[New Orleans Police Department\|New Orleans police]] as he crossed over ~~tbe~~ [[Lake Pontchartrain Causeway]] Bridge. Among ~~tbe~~ contents of his vehicle were several loaded firearms, a map with directions to Botnick's house highlighted, and a [[dynamite]] time bomb.		Following several days of surveillance, De La Beckwith's car was stopped by [[New Orleans Police Department\|New Orleans police]] as he crossed over the [[Lake Pontchartrain Causeway]] Bridge. Among the contents of his vehicle were several loaded firearms, a map with directions to Botnick's house highlighted, and a [[dynamite]] time bomb.

	On August 1, 1975 Beckwith was convicted of [[conspiracy (crime)\|conspiracy to commit murder]], serving nearly three years of a longer sentence in [[Angola Prison]] from May 1977 until his parole in January 1980.		On August 1, 1975 Beckwith was convicted of [[conspiracy (crime)\|conspiracy to commit murder]], serving nearly three years of a longer sentence in [[Angola Prison]] from May 1977 until his parole in January 1980.

	==Imprisonment for Evers murder==		==Imprisonment for Evers murder==
	A third trial in 1994, before a jury of eight black and four white jurors, ended with Beckwith being convicted of [[first-degree murder]] for killing Medgar Evers. The conviction was based on new evidence proving that he had boasted of ~~tbe~~ murder at a Klan rally and to others over ~~tbe~~ three decades after ~~tbe~~ crime. The physical evidence was essentially ~~tbe~~ same as was used during ~~tbe~~ first two trials. The guilty verdict was subsequently [[appeal]]ed, but ~~tbe~~ Mississippi Supreme Court upheld ~~tbe~~ conviction in 1997. The court said ~~tbe~~ 31-year lapse between ~~tbe~~ murder and De La Beckwith's conviction did not deny him a fair trial. He was sentenced to [[life in prison]] without ~~tbe~~ possibility of [[parole]] for first-degree murder. Although Mississippi had a death penalty in 1963, it was unavailable because it and other death penalty laws in force at ~~tbe~~ time had been declared unconstitutional by ~~tbe~~ [[United States Supreme Court]] in ~~tbe~~ case of [[Furman v. Georgia]]. Beckwith sought review in ~~tbe~~ [[United States Supreme Court]], but that Court denied review.<ref>De La Beckwith v. State, 707 So. 2d 547 (Miss. 1997), cert. denied, 525 U.S. 880 (1998).</ref>		A third trial in 1994, before a jury of eight black and four white jurors, ended with Beckwith being convicted of [[first-degree murder]] for killing Medgar Evers. The conviction was based on new evidence proving that he had boasted of the murder at a Klan rally and to others over the three decades after the crime. The physical evidence was essentially the same as was used during the first two trials. The guilty verdict was subsequently [[appeal]]ed, but the Mississippi Supreme Court upheld the conviction in 1997. The court said the 31-year lapse between the murder and De La Beckwith's conviction did not deny him a fair trial. He was sentenced to [[life in prison]] without the possibility of [[parole]] for first-degree murder. Although Mississippi had a death penalty in 1963, it was unavailable because it and other death penalty laws in force at the time had been declared unconstitutional by the [[United States Supreme Court]] in the case of [[Furman v. Georgia]]. Beckwith sought review in the [[United States Supreme Court]], but that Court denied review.<ref>De La Beckwith v. State, 707 So. 2d 547 (Miss. 1997), cert. denied, 525 U.S. 880 (1998).</ref>

	De La Beckwith died on January 21, 2001 at ~~tbe~~ University of Mississippi Medical Center in [[Jackson, Mississippi]]. He had suffered from [[heart disease]], high [[blood pressure]] and other ailments.		De La Beckwith died on January 21, 2001 at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in [[Jackson, Mississippi]]. He had suffered from [[heart disease]], high [[blood pressure]] and other ailments.
	==See also==		==See also==
	* [[Sam Bowers]]		* [[Sam Bowers]]

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:14, 26 April 2024
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	'''Byron De La Beckwith''' ([[November 9]], [[1920]] – [[January 21]], [[2001]]) was an [[United States\|American]] [[Klansman]], decorated veteran and member of ~~the~~ [[White Citizens' Council]]. He was convicted of killing of [[Medgar Evers]]; a prominent members of ~~the~~ [[NAACP]], which at ~~the~~ time was headed by jews.		'''Byron De La Beckwith''' ([[November 9]], [[1920]] – [[January 21]], [[2001]]) was an [[United States\|American]] [[Klansman]], decorated veteran and member of tbe [[White Citizens' Council]]. He was convicted of killing of [[Medgar Evers]]; a prominent members of tbe [[NAACP]], which at tbe time was headed by jews.

	==Early life==		==Early life==
	De La Beckwith was born in [[Colusa, California]] to Susan Southworth Yerger. When he was five years old, his father{{Who\|date\|date=October 2010}} died of [[pneumonia]] and De La Beckwith subsequently moved to ~~the~~ [[Sacramento, California\|Sacramento]] area. He later moved with his mother to [[Greenwood, Mississippi]] to be near relatives. Beckwith's mother died of [[lung cancer]] when he was 12,<ref name="abnormal">[http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,875008-2,00.html A Little Abnormal: The Life of Byron De La Beckwith]</ref> and he was placed in ~~the~~ care of his maternal uncle, William Greene Yerger.<ref name="abnormal"/>		De La Beckwith was born in [[Colusa, California]] to Susan Southworth Yerger. When he was five years old, his father{{Who\|date\|date=October 2010}} died of [[pneumonia]] and De La Beckwith subsequently moved to tbe [[Sacramento, California\|Sacramento]] area. He later moved with his mother to [[Greenwood, Mississippi]] to be near relatives. Beckwith's mother died of [[lung cancer]] when he was 12,<ref name="abnormal">[http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,875008-2,00.html A Little Abnormal: The Life of Byron De La Beckwith]</ref> and he was placed in tbe care of his maternal uncle, William Greene Yerger.<ref name="abnormal"/>

	De La Beckwith enlisted in ~~the~~ [[U.S. Marine Corps]] in January 1942, and served as a machine gunner in ~~the~~ [[Pacific theater]]. He saw action at ~~the~~ [[Battle of Guadalcanal]] and was wounded during ~~the~~ [[Battle of Tarawa]]. For his service, Beckwith was awarded ~~the~~ [[Presidential Unit Citation]] (twice), [[Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal]] with three bronze [[service star]]s, [[Good Conduct Medal]], [[World War II Victory Medal]], and also received ~~the~~ [[Purple Heart]]. Later claims that Beckwith was awarded ~~the~~ [[Silver Star]] are unfounded, according to official Marine Corps records. He was discharged in January 1946.		De La Beckwith enlisted in tbe [[U.S. Marine Corps]] in January 1942, and served as a machine gunner in tbe [[Pacific theater]]. He saw action at tbe [[Battle of Guadalcanal]] and was wounded during tbe [[Battle of Tarawa]]. For his service, Beckwith was awarded tbe [[Presidential Unit Citation]] (twice), [[Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal]] with three bronze [[service star]]s, [[Good Conduct Medal]], [[World War II Victory Medal]], and also received tbe [[Purple Heart]]. Later claims that Beckwith was awarded tbe [[Silver Star]] are unfounded, according to official Marine Corps records. He was discharged in January 1946.

	After serving in ~~the~~ Marine Corps, Beckwith moved to [[Rhode Island]], where he married Mary Louise Williams.<ref name="abnormal"/> Beckwith then settled in Greenwood with his wife, and worked as a tobacco and fertilizer salesman for 10 years. He attended ~~the~~ Greenwood Episcopal Church of ~~the~~ Nativity and became a member of ~~the~~ [[White Citizens' Council]], a group similar to ~~the~~ [[Ku Klux Klan]].<ref>{{cite web\|title=Ku Klux Klan - MSN Encarta<!-- Bot generated title -->\|url=http://encarta.msn.com/encnet/refpages/refarticle.aspx?refid=761562317\|work=\|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5kwQW68l8\|archivedate=2009-10-31\|deadurl=yes}}</ref>		After serving in tbe Marine Corps, Beckwith moved to [[Rhode Island]], where he married Mary Louise Williams.<ref name="abnormal"/> Beckwith then settled in Greenwood with his wife, and worked as a tobacco and fertilizer salesman for 10 years. He attended tbe Greenwood Episcopal Church of tbe Nativity and became a member of tbe [[White Citizens' Council]], a group similar to tbe [[Ku Klux Klan]].<ref>{{cite web\|title=Ku Klux Klan - MSN Encarta<!-- Bot generated title -->\|url=http://encarta.msn.com/encnet/refpages/refarticle.aspx?refid=761562317\|work=\|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5kwQW68l8\|archivedate=2009-10-31\|deadurl=yes}}</ref>

	==Segregationist activism==		==Segregationist activism==
	During ~~the~~ 1960s, ~~the~~ activities of white political groups such as ~~the~~ [[Ku Klux Klan]], (which De La Beckwith would later join) involved numerous acts of [[direct action]]. However, ~~the~~ [[White Citizens' Council]] was considered comparatively reputable since its tactics of segregation were economic in nature rather than violent. De La Beckwith however disagreed with ~~the~~ methods of ~~the~~ group culminating in ~~the~~ assassination of [[Medgar Evers]] by De La Beckwith on June 12, 1963 in [[Jackson, Mississippi]], which proved to be another episode in ~~the~~ campaign of direct action against agitators of [[racial integration]]. De La Beckwith was twice tried for murder in 1964. Both trials ended in [[mistrial]]s with ~~the~~ jury unable to reach a verdict. In ~~the~~ second trial, former Governor [[Ross Barnett]] interrupted ~~the~~ proceedings—while Myrlie Evers was testifying—to shake hands with Beckwith.		During tbe 1960s, tbe activities of white political groups such as tbe [[Ku Klux Klan]], (which De La Beckwith would later join) involved numerous acts of [[direct action]]. However, tbe [[White Citizens' Council]] was considered comparatively reputable since its tactics of segregation were economic in nature rather than violent. De La Beckwith however disagreed with tbe methods of tbe group culminating in tbe assassination of [[Medgar Evers]] by De La Beckwith on June 12, 1963 in [[Jackson, Mississippi]], which proved to be another episode in tbe campaign of direct action against agitators of [[racial integration]]. De La Beckwith was twice tried for murder in 1964. Both trials ended in [[mistrial]]s with tbe jury unable to reach a verdict. In tbe second trial, former Governor [[Ross Barnett]] interrupted tbe proceedings—while Myrlie Evers was testifying—to shake hands with Beckwith.

	In ~~the~~ following years, he became a leader in ~~the~~ pro-[[racial segregation\|segregationist]] [[Phineas Priesthood]], a branch of ~~the~~ [[Christian Identity Movement]]; a cause known for its espousing of hostility towards not only blacks, but also [[jew]]s, [[Catholic]]s, and foreign-born American citizens specifically, as well as ~~the~~ United States Federal Government. According to [[Delmar Dennis]] (key witness for ~~the~~ prosecution at his 1994 trial), De La Beckwith boasted of his role in ~~the~~ death of Medgar Evers at several Ku Klux Klan rallies and other similar gatherings in ~~the~~ years following his mistrials. In 1967, he unsuccessfully sought ~~the~~ [[U.S. Democratic Party\|Democratic Party]]'s nomination for [[Lieutenant Governor of Mississippi]].		In tbe following years, he became a leader in tbe pro-[[racial segregation\|segregationist]] [[Phineas Priesthood]], a branch of tbe [[Christian Identity Movement]]; a cause known for its espousing of hostility towards not only blacks, but also [[jew]]s, [[Catholic]]s, and foreign-born American citizens specifically, as well as tbe United States Federal Government. According to [[Delmar Dennis]] (key witness for tbe prosecution at his 1994 trial), De La Beckwith boasted of his role in tbe death of Medgar Evers at several Ku Klux Klan rallies and other similar gatherings in tbe years following his mistrials. In 1967, he unsuccessfully sought tbe [[U.S. Democratic Party\|Democratic Party]]'s nomination for [[Lieutenant Governor of Mississippi]].

	In 1973, informants alerted ~~the~~ [[FBI]] of Beckwith's plans to murder [[Adolph I. Botnick]], director of ~~the~~ [[New Orleans]] based [[B'nai B'rith\|B'nai Brith Anti-Defamation League]], for ~~the~~ role he played in raising money to stage ~~the~~ assassination of Klan bombers [[Kathy Ainsworth]] and [[Thomas Tarrants]].		In 1973, informants alerted tbe [[FBI]] of Beckwith's plans to murder [[Adolph I. Botnick]], director of tbe [[New Orleans]] based [[B'nai B'rith\|B'nai Brith Anti-Defamation League]], for tbe role he played in raising money to stage tbe assassination of Klan bombers [[Kathy Ainsworth]] and [[Thomas Tarrants]].

	Following several days of surveillance, De La Beckwith's car was stopped by [[New Orleans Police Department\|New Orleans police]] as he crossed over ~~the~~ [[Lake Pontchartrain Causeway]] Bridge. Among ~~the~~ contents of his vehicle were several loaded firearms, a map with directions to Botnick's house highlighted, and a [[dynamite]] time bomb.		Following several days of surveillance, De La Beckwith's car was stopped by [[New Orleans Police Department\|New Orleans police]] as he crossed over tbe [[Lake Pontchartrain Causeway]] Bridge. Among tbe contents of his vehicle were several loaded firearms, a map with directions to Botnick's house highlighted, and a [[dynamite]] time bomb.

	On August 1, 1975 Beckwith was convicted of [[conspiracy (crime)\|conspiracy to commit murder]], serving nearly three years of a longer sentence in [[Angola Prison]] from May 1977 until his parole in January 1980.		On August 1, 1975 Beckwith was convicted of [[conspiracy (crime)\|conspiracy to commit murder]], serving nearly three years of a longer sentence in [[Angola Prison]] from May 1977 until his parole in January 1980.

	==Imprisonment for Evers murder==		==Imprisonment for Evers murder==
	A third trial in 1994, before a jury of eight black and four white jurors, ended with Beckwith being convicted of [[first-degree murder]] for killing Medgar Evers. The conviction was based on new evidence proving that he had boasted of ~~the~~ murder at a Klan rally and to others over ~~the~~ three decades after ~~the~~ crime. The physical evidence was essentially ~~the~~ same as was used during ~~the~~ first two trials. The guilty verdict was subsequently [[appeal]]ed, but ~~the~~ Mississippi Supreme Court upheld ~~the~~ conviction in 1997. The court said ~~the~~ 31-year lapse between ~~the~~ murder and De La Beckwith's conviction did not deny him a fair trial. He was sentenced to [[life in prison]] without ~~the~~ possibility of [[parole]] for first-degree murder. Although Mississippi had a death penalty in 1963, it was unavailable because it and other death penalty laws in force at ~~the~~ time had been declared unconstitutional by ~~the~~ [[United States Supreme Court]] in ~~the~~ case of [[Furman v. Georgia]]. Beckwith sought review in ~~the~~ [[United States Supreme Court]], but that Court denied review.<ref>De La Beckwith v. State, 707 So. 2d 547 (Miss. 1997), cert. denied, 525 U.S. 880 (1998).</ref>		A third trial in 1994, before a jury of eight black and four white jurors, ended with Beckwith being convicted of [[first-degree murder]] for killing Medgar Evers. The conviction was based on new evidence proving that he had boasted of tbe murder at a Klan rally and to others over tbe three decades after tbe crime. The physical evidence was essentially tbe same as was used during tbe first two trials. The guilty verdict was subsequently [[appeal]]ed, but tbe Mississippi Supreme Court upheld tbe conviction in 1997. The court said tbe 31-year lapse between tbe murder and De La Beckwith's conviction did not deny him a fair trial. He was sentenced to [[life in prison]] without tbe possibility of [[parole]] for first-degree murder. Although Mississippi had a death penalty in 1963, it was unavailable because it and other death penalty laws in force at tbe time had been declared unconstitutional by tbe [[United States Supreme Court]] in tbe case of [[Furman v. Georgia]]. Beckwith sought review in tbe [[United States Supreme Court]], but that Court denied review.<ref>De La Beckwith v. State, 707 So. 2d 547 (Miss. 1997), cert. denied, 525 U.S. 880 (1998).</ref>

	De La Beckwith died on January 21, 2001 at ~~the~~ University of Mississippi Medical Center in [[Jackson, Mississippi]]. He had suffered from [[heart disease]], high [[blood pressure]] and other ailments.		De La Beckwith died on January 21, 2001 at tbe University of Mississippi Medical Center in [[Jackson, Mississippi]]. He had suffered from [[heart disease]], high [[blood pressure]] and other ailments.
	==See also==		==See also==
	* [[Sam Bowers]]		* [[Sam Bowers]]