Edgar Ray Killen Presided Over The Funerals Of Judge Marcus Gordon’s Parents

from "Judge for Killen case seen as efficient, organized, respectful," by Billy Watkins, The Clarion Ledger, 13 June 05

"I accepted this case like any other," says Gordon, sipping coffee in his chambers at the Scott County Courthouse. "My responsibility is to provide a fair trial. The verdict of the jury will be the verdict of the jury.

"I don't know the facts of the case, but I do know the law and my duty — and that's to call it like it is. I can't allow the attention of the case to affect my rulings. And I won't."

Gordon grew up in Union, the youngest of three sons born to Benton and Flossie Gordon. His dad was a barber, his mom a factory worker.

He lost both parents within 24 hours, in 1965. His mom died of a brain hemorrhage. While he and his brothers were picking out her gravesite, Benton Gordon died of congestive heart failure.

Killen, a preacher, presided over the funerals.

Doesn't know the facts of the case, yet Killen was the family preacher? What kind of graveside homily do you think Killen delivered in 1965?

While he is old school in his approach to God and country — "I just can't understand anyone demonstrating against a country that has given us all such great opportunities," he says — Gordon has changed his opinion on TV cameras inside the courtroom.

Killen and the other murderers were also "old school in their "approach to God and country," "defending" it from "Godless communists" and "subversive race agitators." We certainly can't jump to any conclusions, since there is no way to tell at the moment what Gordon's family association with Killen was, but it demands imediate investigation. The passing mention, above, is the first I've seen on the matter.