Officials Urge Death Penalty in Black Man’s Brutal Death

As prosecutors worked Wednesday to build a death penalty case against three white men charged with dragging a black man to pieces behind a truck, President Clinton said the people of Jasper must “demonstrate that an act of evil like this is not what this country is all about.”

Dist. Atty. Guy James Gray said prosecutors are considering whether the evidence is strong enough to add a second felony charge, such as kidnapping, which would make the killing a capital punishment case.

“The very nature of this crime puts it into the death penalty,” Gray said.

Gray said it is possible one of the men could be spared the capital murder charge if his testimony is needed against the others.

Capital murder can carry the death penalty, but the worst punishment for a simple murder charge is life in prison.

The FBI is investigating to see if the three could be charged with violating Byrd’s civil rights. Federal hate crimes also can bring the death penalty.

“We are determined the investigation will be thorough, will be fair and the guilty will be brought to justice,” Clinton said, calling the crime “shocking and outrageous.”

James Byrd Jr.’s mangled torso was found Sunday on a bumpy, winding country road about 10 miles from his Jasper home. His severed head, neck and right arm were about a mile away. Investigators found a trail of blood along a two-mile stretch of road.

Byrd, 49, was last seen walking home from a niece’s bridal shower Saturday night and had apparently accepted a ride from the men.

At least two of them allegedly beat Byrd senseless, then chained him to the bumper of their pickup truck and dragged him more than two miles down the road.

Charged with murder are Lawrence Russell Brewer, 31, of Sulphur Springs, and Shawn Allen Berry and John William King, both 23, of Jasper. Investigators said they have ties to white supremacist groups.

King’s father, Ronald King, released a letter apologizing for his son’s alleged actions.

“It hurts me deeply to know that a boy I raised . . . could find it in himself to take a life,” the letter said.