Part 2: A White Alabama Trooper Sentenced to Six Months in Jail for Killing a Black Man!

This morning on Democracy Now, U.S. Representative John Lewis and reporter John Fleming discussed the sentencing of former Alabama State trooper James Fowler. Fowler pled guilty to killing civil rights activist Jimmie Lee Jackson and received only a six month jail sentence.

On the program, Rep. Lewis described how Mr. Jackson's martyrdom inspired the historic Selma to Montgomery march. Rep. Lewis explained how the Alabama state troopers viciously beat the courageous, nonviolent protesters. I cannot understand how anyone could remain nonviolent in the face of such savage brutality. 

A White Alabama Trooper Sentenced to Six Months in Jail for Killing a Black Man!

The Grio reports that:

"A white former state police officer pleaded guilty Monday to a lesser charge in the 1965 shooting death of a black man at a civil rights protest, a killing that inspired historic voting rights marches.

James Bonard Fowler, 77, entered the plea of misdemeanor second-degree manslaughter two weeks before he was scheduled to go to trial on a murder charge for the death of Jimmie Lee Jackson. Jackson's shooting in the city of Marion set off protests at nearby Selma that led to passage of the 1965 Voting Rights Act.

Fowler was sentenced to six months in jail in Geneva County, his home county."

For more information, visit the Grio.

Fowler killed Mr. Jackson approximately 45 years ago.  While Fowler roamed free for 45 years and enjoyed his life, the Jackson family suffered unimaginable pain and loss. Now, at the age of 77, Fowler only received a slap on the wrist for killing a black man, six months in jail. That is outrageous!  Hell, football star Mike Vick received a longer sentence for dogfighting.  Apparently, some people still believe that a dog's life is more valuable than a black man's life.