The verdict was returned in the trial of Edgar Ray Killen for the June 21, 1964, murders of 3 civil rights workers in Neshoba County, Mississippi. The reputed Klansman was indicted for slaying three civil rights workers who were in Mississippi in the summer of 1964 as part of a movement to register blacks to vote and help run educational programs in the South. The trial Mississippi v. Edgar Ray Killen was held at the Neshoba County Courthouse. Coverage was provided by WJTV (Jackson, MS) for Mississippi Public Broadcasting. 

Mr. Killen was found guilty on three counts of manslaughter. He faced up to 20 years in prison on each count, but could have received as little as probation. The jurors opted not to convict Killen, a part time Baptist preacher, of first-degree murder, which required prosecutors to prove that the crimes were premeditated and committed with malice. He was convicted on the 41st anniversary of the fatal shootings.

On Thursday, June 23, 2005, Mr. Killen received the maximum sentence of three terms of 20 years behind bars served consecutively.