Ex-Klansmen Admit Guilt in Church Fires

Two white men who said they were members of the Ku Klux Klan pleaded guilty Wednesday to civil-rights violations and other charges in connection with the burning of two predominantly black churches.

Gary C. Cox, 22, and Timothy A. Welch, 24, both of Manning, could face up to 55 years in prison, U.S. Atty. Rene Josey said.

The two admitted burning Mt. Zion AME Church in Greeleyville on June 20, 1995, and the century-old Macedonia Baptist Church in Bloomville the next day. They also admitted attacking a black man the same month.

In response to questions from U.S. District Judge David Norton, both admitted having been KKK members at the time of the fires. Their lawyers said they had since renounced their membership.

The Mt. Zion fire received national attention when President Clinton toured the site and the rebuilt church June 12.

Josey said the two men promised to testify in other cases if needed and already have testified before a federal grand jury.

However, he would not discuss whether others were involved or whether the federal investigation was looking into possible klan connections to other church burnings.

There have been more than 70 suspicious fires at church properties belonging to predominantly black congregations in Southern states since 1995. An equal number of fires have been reported at white churches in the region.