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Morris investigation takes a turn
The ongoing probe of an unsolved civil rights era murder in Ferriday took an interesting turn this week.
That's the situation in light of the announcement that U.S. Attorney Donald Washington and 7th Judicial District Attorney Brad Burget will join forces in the investigation of Frank Morris' death.
Morris, a black shoe shop owner, died some 45 years ago after his business was set ablaze with him in it. He died as a result of the injuries he suffered during the fire.
It is believed Morris' shoe shop was deliberately burned. It also is believed the Ku Klux Klan played a role, or was solely responsible, for the crime.
It was a hate crime.
Pure and simple.
It was a civil rights era murder, too, which has remained unsolved since it was committed in December 1964.
Hopefully that is about to change.
In announcing federal and local law enforcement officials would pool their resources in the Morris investigation, Washington says he will provide Burget with some 900 pages of documents concerning the Morris murder. Federal investigators compiled the documentation over the course of four-plus decades.
Washington also says he will assign an assistant U.S. attorney to work with Burget's office. The federal government will pay for it, too.
It is obvious to us that Washington believes a case can be built to bring closure to the Morris murder. After all, Washington is an intelligent man, meaning he would not move forward if he did not feel the government possessed sufficient evidence for a case to be pursued.
Now the ball, so to speak, is in Burget's court. It eventually will be his decision on whether to present evidence to a Concordia Parish grand jury, though the possibility exists that Washington will present evidence to a federal grand jury as well.
Indictments loom large.
That means murder charges could be filed. At the very least, it means criminal charges of some sort could be brought against an individual or individuals who either were responsible for Morris' murder or knew something about it. Remember, Washington disclosed not long ago that he felt some individuals who were interviewed by federal investigators did not tell the truth when they were questioned about the Morris case.
Obstruction of justice comes to mind.
Lying to a federal investigator comes to mind, too.
Yet, Burget is about to embark on the most important case of his young career. He has our support.
Washington has our support, too.
The public should support them as well.
Murder is murder, regardless of how long ago it was committed.
And murder is color-blind. |
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