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”
You’re so interesting! I don’t think I’ve truly read through anything like this before. So great to discover somebody with some genuine thoughts on this subject. Really.. many thanks for starting this up. This website is one thing that is needed on the internet, someone with a little originality.
When I initially left a comment I appear to have clicked on the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and from now on whenever a comment is added I recieve 4 emails with the same comment. Perhaps there is an easy method you can remove me from that service? Appreciate it.
I’m truly impressed by the way you effortlessly distill intricate concepts into easily digestible information. Your writing style not only imparts knowledge but also engages the reader, making the learning experience both enjoyable and memorable. Your passion for sharing your expertise is unmistakable, and for that, I am deeply grateful.
I’m genuinely impressed by how effortlessly you distill intricate concepts into easily digestible information. Your writing style not only imparts knowledge but also engages the reader, making the learning experience both enjoyable and memorable. Your passion for sharing your expertise shines through, and for that, I’m deeply grateful.
Your enthusiasm for the subject matter radiates through every word of this article; it’s contagious! Your commitment to delivering valuable insights is greatly valued, and I eagerly anticipate more of your captivating content. Keep up the exceptional work!
I have come to understand that costs for internet degree professionals tend to be an awesome value. Like a full 4-year college Degree in Communication in the University of Phoenix Online consists of Sixty credits with $515/credit or $30,900. Also American Intercontinental University Online makes available Bachelors of Business Administration with a full course feature of 180 units and a worth of $30,560. Online degree learning has made getting your education been so cool because you can earn your degree through the comfort of your abode and when you finish working. Thanks for all other tips I have really learned through the website.
whoah this blog is excellent i love reading your posts. Keep up the great work! You know, lots of people are searching around for this information, you can aid them greatly.
My brother recommended I might like this blog. He was totally right. This post truly made my day. You cann’t imagine simply how much time I had spent for this information! Thanks!
Thanks a lot for the helpful post. It is also my belief that mesothelioma cancer has an extremely long latency period, which means that signs of the disease may not emerge until finally 30 to 50 years after the initial exposure to asbestos. Pleural mesothelioma, which can be the most common style and is affecting the area round the lungs, might cause shortness of breath, chest muscles pains, plus a persistent cough, which may lead to coughing up body.
Your storytelling prowess is nothing short of extraordinary. Reading this article felt like embarking on an adventure of its own. The vivid descriptions and engaging narrative transported me, and I eagerly await to see where your next story takes us. Thank you for sharing your experiences in such a captivating manner.
I liked up to you will receive carried out right here. The comic strip is attractive, your authored subject matter stylish. however, you command get bought an edginess over that you would like be turning in the following. unwell definitely come more previously once more since exactly the similar just about a lot regularly inside of case you protect this hike.
Hi this is somewhat of off topic but I was wanting to know if blogs use WYSIWYG editors or if you have to manually code with HTML. I’m starting a blog soon but have no coding experience so I wanted to get advice from someone with experience. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
This article is a true game-changer! Your practical tips and well-thought-out suggestions hold incredible value. I’m eagerly anticipating implementing them. Thank you not only for sharing your expertise but also for making it accessible and easy to apply.
Your unique approach to addressing challenging subjects is like a breath of fresh air. Your articles stand out with their clarity and grace, making them a pure joy to read. Your blog has now become my go-to source for insightful content.
Thanks for expressing your ideas. The one thing is that students have a selection between government student loan and also a private education loan where it really is easier to go with student loan debt consolidation loan than through the federal student loan.
Hi, I do think this is a great blog. I stumbledupon it 😉 I will return yet again since I saved as a favorite it. Money and freedom is the best way to change, may you be rich and continue to help other people.
Nice i really enjoyed reading your blogs. Keep on posting. Thanks
I simply wanted to convey how much I’ve gleaned from this article. Your meticulous research and clear explanations make the information accessible to all readers. It’s abundantly clear that you’re committed to providing valuable content.
Your blog has rapidly become my trusted source of inspiration and knowledge. I genuinely appreciate the effort you invest in crafting each article. Your dedication to delivering high-quality content is apparent, and I eagerly await every new post.
Your blog has rapidly become my trusted source of inspiration and knowledge. I genuinely appreciate the effort you invest in crafting each article. Your dedication to delivering high-quality content is apparent, and I eagerly await every new post.
I’ve found a treasure trove of knowledge in your blog. Your dedication to providing trustworthy information is something to admire. Each visit leaves me more enlightened, and I appreciate your consistent reliability.
Your dedication to sharing knowledge is unmistakable, and your writing style is captivating. Your articles are a pleasure to read, and I consistently come away feeling enriched. Thank you for being a dependable source of inspiration and information.
I blog often and I genuinely thank you for your content. This great article has really peaked my interest. I am going to take a note of your blog and keep checking for new information about once a week. I opted in for your RSS feed too.
Everything is very open with a very clear explanation of the issues. It was truly informative. Your site is extremely helpful. Thanks for sharing.
I enjoy reading a post that will make men and women think. Also, many thanks for allowing me to comment.
I must applaud your talent for simplifying complex topics. Your ability to convey intricate ideas in such a relatable manner is admirable. You’ve made learning enjoyable and accessible for many, and I deeply appreciate that.
I really love your blog.. Excellent colors & theme. Did you develop this amazing site yourself? Please reply back as I’m trying to create my own website and would like to find out where you got this from or just what the theme is called. Cheers.
Your storytelling prowess is nothing short of extraordinary. Reading this article felt like embarking on an adventure of its own. The vivid descriptions and engaging narrative transported me, and I eagerly await to see where your next story takes us. Thank you for sharing your experiences in such a captivating manner.
In a world where trustworthy information is more important than ever, your commitment to research and providing reliable content is truly commendable. Your dedication to accuracy and transparency is evident in every post. Thank you for being a beacon of reliability in the online world.
Your positivity and enthusiasm are undeniably contagious! This article brightened my day and left me feeling inspired. Thank you for sharing your uplifting message and spreading positivity among your readers.
Your blog has rapidly become my trusted source of inspiration and knowledge. I genuinely appreciate the effort you invest in crafting each article. Your dedication to delivering high-quality content is apparent, and I eagerly await every new post.
In a world where trustworthy information is more crucial than ever, your dedication to research and the provision of reliable content is truly commendable. Your commitment to accuracy and transparency shines through in every post. Thank you for being a beacon of reliability in the online realm.
I want to express my sincere appreciation for this enlightening article. Your unique perspective and well-researched content bring a fresh depth to the subject matter. It’s evident that you’ve invested considerable thought into this, and your ability to convey complex ideas in such a clear and understandable way is truly commendable. Thank you for generously sharing your knowledge and making the learning process enjoyable.
An outstanding share! I have just forwarded this onto a coworker who had been doing a little research on this. And he actually bought me dinner simply because I discovered it for him… lol. So allow me to reword this…. Thank YOU for the meal!! But yeah, thanx for spending time to talk about this issue here on your site.
Pretty! This has been a really wonderful post. Thank you for providing these details.
Very good post! We are linking to this great article on our website. Keep up the good writing.
It’s hard to come by knowledgeable people for this topic, but you sound like you know what you’re talking about! Thanks
You should take part in a contest for one of the most useful websites on the web. I am going to highly recommend this site!
This article is a true game-changer! Your practical tips and well-thought-out suggestions hold incredible value. I’m eagerly anticipating implementing them. Thank you not only for sharing your expertise but also for making it accessible and easy to apply.
Hey there! This is kind of off topic but I need some guidance from an established blog. Is it very difficult to set up your own blog? I’m not very techincal but I can figure things out pretty fast. I’m thinking about setting up my own but I’m not sure where to begin. Do you have any ideas or suggestions? Thank you
I’m not that much of a internet reader to be honest but your blogs really nice, keep it up! I’ll go ahead and bookmark your website to come back later. Many thanks
Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful post with us.
I simply wanted to convey how much I’ve gleaned from this article. Your meticulous research and clear explanations make the information accessible to all readers. It’s abundantly clear that you’re committed to providing valuable content.
Wow! This can be one particular of the most helpful blogs We’ve ever arrive across on this subject. Basically Great. I am also an expert in this topic therefore I can understand your hard work.
Thanks , I have just been searching for information approximately this subject for ages and yours is the greatest I have came upon so far. However, what concerning the conclusion? Are you certain in regards to the supply?
Thanks for the tips you have contributed here. Moreover, I believe there are several factors which keep your auto insurance premium decrease. One is, to bear in mind buying automobiles that are inside the good list of car insurance companies. Cars which might be expensive tend to be at risk of being robbed. Aside from that insurance coverage is also in accordance with the value of the car, so the more pricey it is, then higher the premium you have to pay.
Hiya, I’m really glad I’ve found this information. Nowadays bloggers publish just about gossips and internet and this is actually irritating. A good website with interesting content, this is what I need. Thanks for keeping this site, I will be visiting it. Do you do newsletters? Can not find it.
I’d like to express my heartfelt appreciation for this insightful article. Your unique perspective and well-researched content bring a fresh depth to the subject matter. It’s evident that you’ve invested considerable thought into this, and your ability to convey complex ideas in such a clear and understandable way is truly commendable. Thank you for sharing your knowledge so generously and making the learning process enjoyable.
This article resonated with me on a personal level. Your ability to emotionally connect with your audience is truly commendable. Your words are not only informative but also heartwarming. Thank you for sharing your insights.
Does your blog have a contact page? I’m having a tough time locating it but, I’d like to send you an email. I’ve got some suggestions for your blog you might be interested in hearing. Either way, great site and I look forward to seeing it expand over time.