Whatever happened to Billy Ray Johnson? He used to be a familiar face around town: the middle-aged and mentally challenged black man who was always walking the back roads of Linden.
On a September night in 2003, he was picked up and driven to a pasture party where four young white men gave him beer and told him to dance. They laughed and called him a nigger. Then one of them beat Billy Ray into unconsciousness. Afterward, his body was dumped on the side of a country road.
Johnson nearly died.
The collective shoulder shrug of Linden’s residents drew national outrage. “Old South racism lives in Texas town,” read one headline in the Chicago Tribune.
High-powered civil rights lawyer Morris Dees took up Johnson’s case, and in April 2007, a civil jury awarded a $9 million verdict. “After the case was over, they sat in the jury box and talked about how it had changed the community and the whole region,” Dees said in a recent phone interview.
“They felt the attention brought on the case by the news media was making their town look bad, but when they saw the facts brought out, they showed the nation they weren’t racially biased or bigoted and they could do justice.”
With the trial’s conclusion, the media glare turned elsewhere, and life as usual returned to most of Linden’s 2,100 residents. But Johnson’s story didn’t end there. The fight for his money was only beginning.
9,783 responses to “The ballad of Billy Ray”
Oh my goodness! Impressive article dude! Thank you so much, However I am going through problems with your RSS. I don’t understand why I can’t subscribe to it. Is there anybody else getting the same RSS problems? Anybody who knows the solution can you kindly respond? Thanx.
I haven?t checked in here for some time as I thought it was getting boring, but the last few posts are good quality so I guess I will add you back to my everyday bloglist. You deserve it my friend 🙂
Excellent goods from you, man. I have understand your stuff previous to and you are just extremely great. I really like what you have acquired here, really like what you’re saying and the way in which you say it. You make it entertaining and you still take care of to keep it wise. I can not wait to read far more from you. This is actually a wonderful website.
What an eye-opening and thoroughly-researched article! The author’s thoroughness and aptitude to present complicated ideas in a comprehensible manner is truly praiseworthy. I’m thoroughly enthralled by the breadth of knowledge showcased in this piece. Thank you, author, for sharing your expertise with us. This article has been a true revelation!
Can I just say what a relief to search out somebody who really is aware of what theyre speaking about on the internet. You definitely know easy methods to deliver a problem to gentle and make it important. Extra folks must read this and perceive this aspect of the story. I cant imagine youre not more standard because you undoubtedly have the gift.
I have seen that car insurance businesses know the motors which are liable to accidents along with other risks. In addition they know what kind of cars are prone to higher risk plus the higher risk they’ve the higher the actual premium amount. Understanding the straightforward basics regarding car insurance will assist you to choose the right kind of insurance policy which will take care of your preferences in case you become involved in any accident. Appreciate your sharing the ideas on the blog.
You are so awesome! I don’t believe I’ve read a single thing like that before. So great to find somebody with genuine thoughts on this issue. Seriously.. many thanks for starting this up. This web site is something that is needed on the web, someone with a little originality.
We’re a bunch of volunteers and opening a brand new scheme in our community. Your website provided us with useful info to paintings on. You’ve done a formidable task and our entire neighborhood might be thankful to you.
What i do not understood is actually how you’re not actually much more well-liked than you might be now. You’re so intelligent. You realize thus significantly relating to this subject, made me personally consider it from so many varied angles. Its like men and women aren’t fascinated unless it?s one thing to do with Lady gaga! Your own stuffs outstanding. Always maintain it up!
Hi there would you mind sharing which blog platform you’re working with? I’m looking to start my own blog in the near future but I’m having a hard time selecting between BlogEngine/Wordpress/B2evolution and Drupal. The reason I ask is because your design and style seems different then most blogs and I’m looking for something completely unique. P.S Sorry for being off-topic but I had to ask!
Hi would you mind letting me know which webhost you’re working with? I’ve loaded your blog in 3 completely different browsers and I must say this blog loads a lot quicker then most. Can you suggest a good internet hosting provider at a fair price? Many thanks, I appreciate it!
Thank you for the auspicious writeup. It in fact was a amusement account it. Look advanced to far added agreeable from you! By the way, how could we communicate?
One thing I would really like to reply to is that fat reduction plan fast can be achieved by the suitable diet and exercise. A person’s size not only affects appearance, but also the general quality of life. Self-esteem, depression, health risks, and also physical skills are damaged in extra weight. It is possible to just make everything right and at the same time having a gain. If this happens, a medical problem may be the root cause. While an excessive amount food and not enough exercising are usually at fault, common medical ailments and popular prescriptions could greatly enhance size. Thx for your post here.
Thanks for your text. I would also like to say that the health insurance broker also works best for the benefit of the particular coordinators of any group insurance policy. The health insurance broker is given a long list of benefits sought by a person or a group coordinator. What a broker will is try to find individuals or perhaps coordinators which usually best match those wants. Then he offers his ideas and if both sides agree, this broker formulates legal contract between the two parties.
Hello, you used to write wonderful, but the last several posts have been kinda boring? I miss your great writings. Past several posts are just a bit out of track! come on!
Your house is valueble for me. Thanks!?
Thanks for the recommendations shared on the blog. Something also important I would like to say is that weight loss is not supposed to be about going on a dietary fads and trying to reduce as much weight that you can in a couple of weeks. The most effective way to lose weight is by having it gradually and using some basic points which can help you to make the most through your attempt to lose weight. You may recognize and be following most of these tips, yet reinforcing know-how never damages.
Nice i really enjoyed reading your blogs. Keep on posting. Thanks
I was wondering if you ever considered changing the structure of your blog? Its very well written; I love what youve got to say. But maybe you could a little more in the way of content so people could connect with it better. Youve got an awful lot of text for only having 1 or 2 images. Maybe you could space it out better?
you’ve got a fantastic blog right here! would you wish to make some invite posts on my weblog?
I’m impressed, I have to admit. Seldom do I come across a blog that’s both educative and engaging, and let me tell you, you’ve hit the nail on the head. The problem is something too few people are speaking intelligently about. I’m very happy that I stumbled across this in my search for something relating to this.
I discovered your blog site on google and test a number of of your early posts. Continue to keep up the excellent operate. I just extra up your RSS feed to my MSN Information Reader. Seeking ahead to studying more from you in a while!?
I’m impressed, I must say. Rarely do I come across a blog that’s both equally educative and amusing, and let me tell you, you have hit the nail on the head. The issue is something that too few folks are speaking intelligently about. I’m very happy that I found this during my hunt for something regarding this.
you’re really a good webmaster. The website loading speed is incredible. It seems that you’re doing any unique trick. Also, The contents are masterpiece. you have done a magnificent job on this topic!
Howdy! Someone in my Facebook group shared this site with us so I came to take a look. I’m definitely enjoying the information. I’m book-marking and will be tweeting this to my followers! Outstanding blog and superb design.
Super-Duper website! I am loving it!! Will be back later to read some more. I am taking your feeds also.
Hey there, You have done a great job. I will definitely digg it and personally recommend to my friends. I’m confident they will be benefited from this web site.
I can’t express how much I value the effort the author has put into writing this remarkable piece of content. The clarity of the writing, the depth of analysis, and the plethora of information provided are simply astonishing. Her enthusiasm for the subject is evident, and it has definitely resonated with me. Thank you, author, for offering your knowledge and enlightening our lives with this extraordinary article!
It is in reality a nice and useful piece of info. I?m satisfied that you just shared this helpful info with us. Please keep us up to date like this. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for this article. I’d also like to express that it can be hard when you’re in school and just starting out to initiate a long credit ranking. There are many students who are simply just trying to make it and have a long or positive credit history are often a difficult point to have.
A great post without any doubt.
Spot on with this write-up, I honestly think this web site needs far more attention. I’ll probably be back again to read more, thanks for the info!
Hello, i think that i saw you visited my web site thus i came to ?return the favor?.I’m trying to find things to improve my website!I suppose its ok to use some of your ideas!!
What?s Happening i am new to this, I stumbled upon this I’ve found It absolutely helpful and it has helped me out loads. I hope to contribute & aid other users like its helped me. Great job.
Excellent post. I definitely appreciate this site. Keep writing!
After looking into a number of the articles on your web site, I truly appreciate your way of blogging. I saved it to my bookmark site list and will be checking back in the near future. Please visit my web site as well and let me know your opinion.
Having read this I believed it was rather informative. I appreciate you spending some time and effort to put this content together. I once again find myself spending a significant amount of time both reading and posting comments. But so what, it was still worth it!
Great goods from you, man. I’ve keep in mind your stuff prior to and you are simply too magnificent. I actually like what you’ve bought here, certainly like what you’re saying and the way during which you are saying it. You are making it entertaining and you continue to care for to stay it smart. I cant wait to learn much more from you. This is actually a tremendous website.
Hi my family member! I wish to say that this article is amazing, great written and come with almost all important infos. I would like to peer more posts like this .
I have seen that good real estate agents all over the place are Promotion. They are seeing that it’s more than simply placing a sign post in the front area. It’s really about building associations with these retailers who someday will become purchasers. So, when you give your time and efforts to encouraging these suppliers go it alone – the “Law associated with Reciprocity” kicks in. Good blog post.
I do agree with all the ideas you have presented for your post. They’re really convincing and can certainly work. Still, the posts are very brief for novices. May just you please lengthen them a little from subsequent time? Thank you for the post.
I loved as much as you will receive carried out right here. The sketch is attractive, your authored subject matter stylish. nonetheless, you command get bought an shakiness over that you wish be delivering the following. unwell unquestionably come further formerly again as exactly the same nearly very often inside case you shield this hike.
I do not even know how I ended up here, but I thought this post was great. I do not know who you are but certainly you’re going to a famous blogger if you are not already 😉 Cheers!
Thanks for the helpful content. It is also my belief that mesothelioma has an very long latency period of time, which means that signs and symptoms of the disease might not exactly emerge until eventually 30 to 50 years after the original exposure to asbestos. Pleural mesothelioma, which is the most common sort and impacts the area throughout the lungs, could cause shortness of breath, torso pains, including a persistent cough, which may lead to coughing up bloodstream.
excellent post, very informative. I’m wondering why the opposite experts of this sector do not notice this. You must continue your writing. I am confident, you have a huge readers’ base already!
What i do not realize is actually how you’re not actually much more well-liked than you might be right now. You’re very intelligent. You realize thus considerably relating to this subject, produced me personally consider it from a lot of varied angles. Its like men and women aren’t fascinated unless it?s one thing to do with Lady gaga! Your own stuffs great. Always maintain it up!
hello!,I really like your writing very so much! proportion we be in contact extra approximately your post on AOL? I need an expert on this space to resolve my problem. May be that is you! Looking forward to look you.
Thanks for this excellent article. One other thing is that nearly all digital cameras can come equipped with a new zoom lens so that more or less of the scene for being included by ‘zooming’ in and out. These kinds of changes in {focus|focusing|concentration|target|the a**** length are reflected within the viewfinder and on significant display screen at the back of the actual camera.
I will right away seize your rss feed as I can’t to find your email subscription link or e-newsletter service. Do you have any? Kindly permit me understand so that I may subscribe. Thanks.
Heya i am for the primary time here. I came across this board and I find It truly useful & it helped me out much. I hope to offer something again and help others like you helped me.