A fascinating story but lightly sourced, as they say. Anyone have additional information about this?
posted by LarryC at 2:20 PM on June 21, 2006

Wow.
posted by delmoi at 2:38 PM on June 21, 2006

Of course, hoover wasn't big on breaking the law when it suited him.
posted by delmoi at 2:39 PM on June 21, 2006

Is this the same guy they hired to kill Kennedy?
posted by caddis at 2:46 PM on June 21, 2006

How about The New York Times?

The Mobster Was a Mole for the F.B.I.; Tangled Life of a Mafia Figure Who Died of AIDS Is Exposed

Selwyn Raab November 20, 1994
posted by flatlander at 2:46 PM on June 21, 2006

Interesting twist on that sad story, thanks for the post. However, I'm with LarryC, I'd like to see some more information from a different source. Some good links in a previous Mefi thread on these murders, including a chilling encounter with Edgar Ray Killen, a man eventually convicted of the murders.
posted by marxchivist at 3:29 PM on June 21, 2006

And today the house refused to renew the Voting Rights Act. The work of those three boys isn't done - not by a long-shot.
posted by jmgorman at 4:17 PM on June 21, 2006

Excellent story, thanks!
posted by jonson at 4:41 PM on June 21, 2006

jmgorman writes "And today the house refused to renew the Voting Rights Act."

Interestingly enough, it seems like opposition to the renewal was led by the brilliant Congressman Lynn Westmoreland.

jmgorman writes "boys"

I wish you wouldn't use that word. They were all over 20, and that word carries a lot of baggage in this context.
posted by mr_roboto at 5:00 PM on June 21, 2006

Despite my kind of snarky comment above, I really think this is a great post. Thanks flatlander.
posted by caddis at 7:13 PM on June 21, 2006

True enough, Mr. Roboto. Those young men.
posted by jmgorman at 8:47 PM on June 21, 2006

Wasn't this depicted in Mississippi Burning? Where some sort of mobster shows up and threatens to castrate a Klansman?
posted by Mid at 8:55 PM on June 21, 2006

Man, this could come right out of a James Ellroy novel. Great stuff. Thanks!
posted by Eekacat at 9:10 PM on June 21, 2006

excellent account of this and all of the Freedom Summer struggles in vol. 2 of the MLK bio by Taylor Branch.

oh, it's not over...not by a long shot.
posted by aiq at 8:20 AM on June 22, 2006

Flatlander, very nice post¡­. Who needs more details? Let¡¯s work with what we¡¯ve got.
Daddy always said, ¡°Lyndon was a Texas sized Johnson.¡±
Mama always said, ¡°All pigs are equal. Some pigs are more equal.¡±

How ya¡¯ doin¡¯ my name is Vinny, I am from the patriots for perspectives in auricular hygiene and pipe fitters union 173. Tink of me as your social oral conscience. I am going to use this here government supplied dental appliance to do a, ¡°get to the dam¡± root canal and extract that feted truth that has been bothering you.

Now kids, today¡¯s assignment is to swap everything around including melatonin levels, acronyms, social and political perspectives in every possible combination and retell the story. Now define; the Bill of Rights, Moral Obligation, Fiduciary Trust, Bigotry and Justice for All. Apply, resolve and contrast your equations and definitions using these stories, your feelings and beliefs. Be prepared to discuss these topics with other Star/Cross-Belly Sneetches at your next Choose Lesbian Justice for Peace Now or Nuke Gay Whales for Christ Rally.

You have to admit, those Colombo boys did know how to party. Can¡¯t we just contract the pipe fitters to Gitmo and Abu Grab Ass to you know, do some interviews, figure out who¡¯s who and get everybody sorted out and back on their way. I mean we are in a tough spot in the midst of a most tumultuous period, besides; the plumbers have had their crack.

The world is a sick place friend. Two wrongs don¡¯t make a right, but sometimes it does stick the peace like spaghetti on the wall. So, how would you like your cannibal roasted? Now, where did I put the pin to that grenade? Dirka dirka Mohammed jihad, America, phach yeah!
posted by MapGuy at 9:55 AM on June 22, 2006