William Bradford Huie’s newly released research notes show he suspected more than two men tortured and killed 14-year-old Emmett Till, but suggest that he left that out when it threatened his story.
By Gillian Brockelln, The Washington Post
Photo, J.W. Milam, left. and his wife, join Roy Bryant, far right; and his wife, Carolyn Bryant, in the courtroom. (AP)
A journalist whose 1956 article was billed as the “true account” of Emmett Till’s murder withheld credible information about people involved in the crime, according to newly discovered documents.
William Bradford Huie’s article in Look magazine helped shape the country’s understanding of 14-year-old Till’s abduction, torture and slaying in Jim Crow-era Mississippi. The article detailed the confessions of two White men who previously had been acquitted by an all-White jury in the murder. The men told Huie they had no accomplices.
Yet Huie’s own research notes, recently released by the descendants of a lawyer in the case, indicatehis reporting showedthat others were involved andsuggest he chose to leave that out when it threatened the sale of his story. He also was seeking a movie deal about the murder and had agreed to pay the two acquitted men, J.W. Milam and Roy Bryant, part of the proceeds.
Read full article @ The Washington Post
You must be logged in to post a comment.