Infamous Murders: Crimes of Prejudice
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Throughout history, hate killings have occurred all over the world because of ignorance and prejudice. Minority groups have long been demonized for their colour, faith or sexual orientation. Today prejudice is still one of society's biggest problems.
On the 3rd of July 1964, President Lyndon Johnson signed a Civil Rights Act giving all American citizens equal rights. The Act was intended to make segregation in restaurants, schools, universities and public transport illegal.
On the 21st of June 1964 three civil rights workers in Neshoba County, Mississippi were arrested for speeding. Andy Goodman, Jim Chaney and Micky Schwerner were soon released from custody but were never seen again.
Their burnt out station-wagon was found the next day but local lawmen seemed indifferent to their disappearance, so the FBI was brought in to investigate. Three bodies were soon found buried 18 feet underground. On the 4th of December the FBI arrested the Sheriff of Neshoba County, his deputy and 19 other citizens.
Acting under the auspices of the Klu Klux Klan, the locals had gathered while the men were under arrest, pursued them on their release, stopped their car and shot them dead. Seven men were found guilty of a violation of human rights, but no-one was ever prosecuted for the murder.
In June 1940, France fell to Germany and was divided into two zones. The French Resistance set up their network in Lyon, in the southern zone.
To combat this threat, Hitler sent in the Gestapo, with Klaus Barbie at its head. Barbie lost no time 'cleansing' the city of suspected Resistance sympathizers and Jews. At the end of the war Barbie's final tally was more than 4,000 dead and over 7,000 'deported'.
After the war Barbie was listed as a major war criminal wanted for murder and torture. He was finally returned to Lyon in 1983 and charged with crimes against humanity. He was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment.
In London's Soho area there is a lively and tolerant gay scene. In 1993 39-year-old Colin Ireland used this gay network to select victims for murder.
By pretending to be homosexual he gave his prey a false sense of security and by June 1993 he had murdered five men. Police identified him in closed circuit television footage, and in an unprecedented move, Ireland confessed to all five murders while in custody.
As a result of his confession, there was no trial, and on the 20th of December he was sentenced to five consecutive life sentences, and told that he should never be released.
On the 3rd of July 1964, President Lyndon Johnson signed a Civil Rights Act giving all American citizens equal rights. The Act was intended to make segregation in restaurants, schools, universities and public transport illegal.
On the 21st of June 1964 three civil rights workers in Neshoba County, Mississippi were arrested for speeding. Andy Goodman, Jim Chaney and Micky Schwerner were soon released from custody but were never seen again.
Their burnt out station-wagon was found the next day but local lawmen seemed indifferent to their disappearance, so the FBI was brought in to investigate. Three bodies were soon found buried 18 feet underground. On the 4th of December the FBI arrested the Sheriff of Neshoba County, his deputy and 19 other citizens.
Acting under the auspices of the Klu Klux Klan, the locals had gathered while the men were under arrest, pursued them on their release, stopped their car and shot them dead. Seven men were found guilty of a violation of human rights, but no-one was ever prosecuted for the murder.
In June 1940, France fell to Germany and was divided into two zones. The French Resistance set up their network in Lyon, in the southern zone.
To combat this threat, Hitler sent in the Gestapo, with Klaus Barbie at its head. Barbie lost no time 'cleansing' the city of suspected Resistance sympathizers and Jews. At the end of the war Barbie's final tally was more than 4,000 dead and over 7,000 'deported'.
After the war Barbie was listed as a major war criminal wanted for murder and torture. He was finally returned to Lyon in 1983 and charged with crimes against humanity. He was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment.
In London's Soho area there is a lively and tolerant gay scene. In 1993 39-year-old Colin Ireland used this gay network to select victims for murder.
By pretending to be homosexual he gave his prey a false sense of security and by June 1993 he had murdered five men. Police identified him in closed circuit television footage, and in an unprecedented move, Ireland confessed to all five murders while in custody.
As a result of his confession, there was no trial, and on the 20th of December he was sentenced to five consecutive life sentences, and told that he should never be released.
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Infamous Murders: Murder by Decree
Sat 20th Sep, 2PM
