The stories of Clarion-Ledger investigative reporter Jerry Mitchell have helped put four Klansmen behind bars. A winner of a MacArthur genius grant and a Pulitzer Prize finalist.
Since 1989, the investigative reporter for The Clarion-Ledger in Jackson, MS, has unearthed documents, cajoled suspects and witnesses, and quietly pursued evidence in the nation’s notorious killings from the civil rights era. His work helped put four Klansmen behind bars giving justice to these families: Medgar Evers; the four beautiful young ladies in the Birmingham church bombing; Vernon Dahmer; and, Chaney, Goodman, & Schwerner (aka sadly, Mississippi Burning case)
After winning the prestigious George Polk Award for a second time, Mitchell received a MacArthur genius grant — only the second investigative reporter to ever receive the $500,000 award. Others have also noticed his work. In 1996, filmmakers portrayed him in the movie Ghosts of Mississippi about the reopening of the Medgar Evers assassination.
In October 1998, Mitchell was recognized a at the Kennedy Center in Washington. ABC's Chris Wallace told those gathered for the Anti-Defamation League event, "Jerry Mitchell isn't comfortable being called a hero, or being portrayed as one in the film, Ghosts of Mississippi. It is difficult, however, to find a better word than 'hero' to describe Jerry Mitchell. Today, justice — long delayed — has been served, and Sam Bowers and Byron De La Beckwith grow old in jail."
Mitchell received his degree in journalism at Harding University in 1982, a master’s in journalism from Ohio State University in 1997 and an honorary doctorate in law from Colby College in 2006.
Mitchell has won countless awards, but I only have 2000 characters! I will share these during the broadcast! Please listen in on Wednesday, April 6, 2016, at 11:00 AM.
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