A former Philadelphia mayor was a character witness Monday for Edgar Ray Killen and testified that the Ku Klux Klan was a peaceful organization that did some good things.
Two-term Mayor Harlan Majure told the court he talked with Killen on the night of June 21, 1964 at McClain-Hays Funeral Home.
David Winstead, whose brother Mike testified earlier in the trial that he overheard Killen tell his grandfather that he was proud to be involved in the murders, was the first defense witness to take the stand this morning.
Winstead said he contacted defense attorneys after watching his brother testify on television.
David Winstead said his brother never confided in him about the conversation and said he didn't believe his testimony was truthful.
On cross examination by the state, David Winstead said his family lived eight or nine miles away from the Killen home and that he often rode horses on the Killen property when he was growing up.
He admitted he wasn't present when the alleged conversation occurred.
Majure testified that he has known Killen 45 to 50 years and had a good opinion of his character.
District Attorney Mark Duncan asked Majure if he had any knowledge of Killen's activities prior to his going to the funeral home that night.
Majure said he didn't know if Killen had traveled to Meridian that day.
"Did you know he was in the Klan?" Duncan asked.
"No," Majure responded.
Duncan responded: "Would it change your opinion of his character if you knew he was?"
"Not necessarily so," Majure replied, saying the Klan did some good things.
Duncan asked the former mayor if he knew the Klan beat and murdered people.
Majure said as far as he knew it was a peaceful organization and offered to tell "a little story" about the organization to which Duncan objected.
"Did you know he was a leader in the Ku Klux Klan," he asked of Majure.
He responded "no."
Mike Hatcher, a Meridian police officer who testified earlier in the trial, returned to the stand Monday.
Defense Attorney Mitch Moran grilled him about his testimony in the 1967 civil rights trial and pointed out, what he said, were contradictions.
Hatcher said he didn't offer any information in 1967 other than answering questions from law enforcement officers because he feared his safety.
When the Klan started in 1964, Hatcher said there were secret members, sympathizers and informants and he feared he could be killed.
Moran asked Hatcher if he lied in 1967, when he testified that Killen told he had nothing to do with the murders.
Yes, I could have said that back then, Hatcher said.
On cross examination by Attorney General Jim Hood, Hatcher said that Killen repeated to him Michael Schwerner's final words.
"I understand how you feel, sir," he quoted Schwerner as saying.
Afterwards when being questioned by Moran, Hatcher said he had personal knowledge that Wayne Roberts and James Jordan were present when the murders occurred.
"I can't say if Killen was there," he said.
Hatcher talked about seeing Killen at Klan meetings in his robe and cowboy boots and said Killen was usually the one who made comments about the elimination of Schwerner.
I am glad to read someone stood up for Edgar Ray and I think this trial is nothing more than a liberal circus and after living in the South I can say the Klan did do some good things.
Posted: Friday, June 24, 2005
Article comment by:
Nikki Haynes
Mrs.colvin, I understand the way you feel, if this is your father. I watched the trial and his statement wasn't cut off. He said what he said and he meant it.
Posted: Thursday, June 23, 2005
Article comment by:
perian colvin
Mr Taylor, I suppose you think it is funny to say Harlan Majure is a klan member but as his daughter I don't find it funny at all. He is a good and decent man a devout christian but I doubt you want to hear that. I am sure you wouldn't believe it anyway. If my dad could have finished his testimony he would have told everybody the klan did good things in the 1930's in Phila. they tried to get white and black men to work and support their families -not cheat on their wives etc. I told my dad that his friends don't need an explanation,and his enemies won't believe him anyway. If you only knew what a good man he has been all of his life -ask around you will see-so go on and make your ugly,hurtfulcomments-all of you. If you have such hate in your hearts you are no better than edgar ray killen-what do you think caused those 3 innocents to be murdered-HATE
Posted: Thursday, June 23, 2005
Article comment by:
Clayton Desrosieres
Former Mayor Harlan Majure said that "the Klan did some good things".What possibly could an organization that is based on hatred have done any good? You either serve God or you serve Satan.
Posted: Thursday, June 23, 2005
Article comment by:
Richard Taylor
Base on the former mayors comments, it sounds like to me he could be a Klan member. For anyone to say the KKK has done some great things must be living on a different planet. Unless the former mayor think lynching people is a good thing.
