Son of Dragging Victim Pleads for Killer’s Life
- Share via
From Times Wire Reports
The son of James Byrd Jr., a black man dragged to death in 1998 by a white supremacist in Jasper, led a fast and prayer vigil to fight for the life of his father’s killer.
John W. King, the first of two white men sentenced to death for the 49-year-old Byrd’s slaying, has almost exhausted his state appeals. Byrd’s son, Ross, who initially favored the sentence, has since changed his mind.
“When I heard King had exhausted his appeals, I began thinking, ‘How can this help me or solve my pain?’ and I realized it couldn’t,” Byrd said.
More to Read
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.