Tyrone N. Butts
APE Reporter
Prosecuter Won't Reopen 1964 Jacksonville Civil Rights Murder Case
Prosecutors say they won't reopen a 1964 Jacksonville civil rights murder case, despite requests from the victim's children.
State Attorney Harry Shorstein wrote a letter to the son of Johnnie Mae Chappell, who was gunned down by a car full of white men. The men told police they were looking for a black person to shoot.
One man spent three years in prison for the murder, but Chappell's children wanted Shorstein to charge three conspirators who were
never tried.
But Shorstein says there is little likelihood of winning the case 40 years after the slaying. He also says the men could invoke their right to a speedy trial, which would likely prohi
bit a trial.
Shelton Chappell says he will continue to seek justice for hi
s mother. He says, quote: "We've come this far, and my mother deserves better than this."
******************
No she doesn't.
T.N.B.
Prosecutors say they won't reopen a 1964 Jacksonville civil rights murder case, despite requests from the victim's children.
State Attorney Harry Shorstein wrote a letter to the son of Johnnie Mae Chappell, who was gunned down by a car full of white men. The men told police they were looking for a black person to shoot.
One man spent three years in prison for the murder, but Chappell's children wanted Shorstein to charge three conspirators who were
never tried.
But Shorstein says there is little likelihood of winning the case 40 years after the slaying. He also says the men could invoke their right to a speedy trial, which would likely prohi
bit a trial.
Shelton Chappell says he will continue to seek justice for hi
s mother. He says, quote: "We've come this far, and my mother deserves better than this."
******************
No she doesn't.
T.N.B.