Judge Denies Latest Appeal in Jasper Dragging Death Case

A federal judge has denied the latest appeal by one of the three men convicted in the notorious 1998 Jasper dragging death.

The Beaumont Enterprise reports John William King's most recent appeal was turned down last week.

King's attorneys have contended he was not at the crime scene, that a jury convicted the wrong man and the white supremacy group he's been linked to was mischaracterized.

King, sentenced to death in 1999, was one of two white supremacists condemned for the slaying of James Byrd Jr. The 49-year-old black man was chained to the back of a pickup truck and fatally dragged.

Lawrence Russell Brewer, King's co-defendant, was executed in 2011. Shawn Berry, who authorities said drove the truck while Byrd was attached to it, is serving a life-sentence.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
Contact Us