Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood confirms his office is investigating recent statements made in connection to one of the tipping points of the civil rights movement - the murder of Emmett Till. The victim of Till's supposed sexual assault says she lied about what happened. MPB's Mark Rigsby reports.
AG Jim Hood says his office is looking into the recent confession of Carolyn Bryant in a new book.
She was the alleged victim of what she claimed was a sexual assault by African-American teenager Emmett Till in Leflour County more than 60 years ago. Hood says his office has conducted interviews on the matter.
"When law enforcement officers start asking questions people tend to back up from what they've said. We're going to do everything we possibly can. If there's a case to be made on this murder, or other murders, or any other old cases like that, then we're going to pursue it. That's what we're doing at this point. Publicly, I can't say anymore."
The 14 year old Till was lynched. An all-white jury found two men not guilty.Those turbulent events sparked the civil rights movement. Airicka Gordon-Taylor is Emmett Till's cousin. I asked her about Bryant back in February, shortly after Bryant's confession went public.
"If i was her, I don't see how she's living in peace. I don't see how she can have mental and emotional peace."
"Do you think ultimately there will be justice?"
"I'm optimistic there will be. And justice comes in many forms."
"What form would you like it to come in?'
"I would like for her to go to jail."
Hood says no witnesses have come forward, but if they do his office will continue to pursue the investigation.
