Investigative reporter shares how he sought justice

The Pegasus Ballroom was full of people with open ears on Tuesday night as Jerry Mitchell, an investigative reporter for The Clarion-Ledger, visited UCF to share his stories on how he helped reopen 29 murder cases from the civil rights era, which has lead to 23 convictions.

As the director of the Nicholson School of Communications, Bob Chandler, took the stage to introduce Mitchell, he mentioned how Mitchell had won over 30 National Awards for his work and has never given up on his quest to seek justice. Chandler told the audience they would be able to ask questions after the presentation.

"Some of you will find all the answers he gives as fascinating as the stories he shares," Chandler said.

Applause welcomed Mitchell to the stage and after it faded he said, "I'm just going to share some stories."

Mitchell traced his interest in fighting for justice back to 1989 when he was just a 29-year-old journalist and saw the film "Mississippi Burning." The film is about the killings of civil rights activists in the 1960s.

"I was unaware of all the violence that took place, it just shocked me," Mitchell said.

He went on to discuss a major case he reopened about an NAACP leader named Medgar Evers who was assassinated outside of his home in Jackson, Miss. in 1963. Evers' killer was arrested but not convicted.

"Myrlie Evers, the widow of Medgar, believed, and she prayed, and amazing things happened," Mitchell said.

Mitchell took his audience through the process of researching and interviewing for this case, which finally ended with the conviction of Byron De La Beckwith 30 years after Evers was killed. Mitchell went on to discuss the methods he used for tracking down the truth in old murder cases while he told a few more stories for his listeners.

While people watched quietly, Mitchell told them why he did what he did.

"People may say, 'Jerry, leave these old guys alone,'" Mitchell said. "But what they don't realize is these were young killers who just happened to get old."

Near the end of his lecture, Mitchell talked about how the 23 convictions he has witnessed weren't what it was all about. It was also about the racial reconciliation he has seen. He ended with a story about a Klansman who murdered a man and later apologized directly to the man's widow. The widow cried, her children cried, the Klansman cried, and Mitchell cried as the widow forgave the man who killed her husband.

When the floor opened for questions, people were eager to ask them.  Conversation started on hatred today, how to stop violence, struggles he has dealt with and finally on his career.

"I still think journalism is the best profession in the world," Mitchell said.

Mitchell's passion impacted senior business marketing major John Buker.

"What I found interesting was that he was such an activist for seeking justice," Buker said, "I feel you have to truly love your job and have a passion for seeking murderers to immerse yourself into this profession."

Other audience members shared Buker's feelings as they thanked Mitchell for an inspirational speech. Before the room emptied, Mitchell offered advice.

"If you really believe in something, you shouldn't be watching the clock," Mitchell said.

With that, the applause started again.