John William King

John William King is a white supremacist who was convicted of murdering James Byrd, Jr. in a hate crime. He was accused of dragging Byrd behind a truck until the African-American man died. The testimony phase of his trial started in Jasper, Texas on February 16, 1999. He was found guilty of kidnapping and murder on February 23 and was sentenced with the death penalty, on February 25.

Related Topics:
White supremacist - Murder - James Byrd, Jr. - Hate crime - Truck - African-American - Jasper - Texas - February 16 - 1999 - February 23 - Death penalty - February 25

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King had previously been gang-raped in prison by black prisoners and, although he had no previous record of racism, had allegedly joined a white-supremacist prison gang for self-protection. Salon magazine commented on the case:

Related Topics:
Gang-raped - Salon magazine

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:Victims of prison rape often turn their anger against innocents when they are set free. ... Shortly after arriving in prison, King — then 5-foot-7 and 140 pounds (64 kg) — was attacked by black prisoners and raped ... He emerged from the dungeon transformed.

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