Killen Ordered Back To Jail

A judge Friday revoked the bond that allowed Edgar Ray Killen to stay out of prison while he appealed his manslaughter conviction for the 1964 slayings of three civil rights workers.

Circuit Judge Marcus Gordon ordered Killen returned to prison after a court hearing where District Attorney Mark Duncan said the 80-year-old Killen may have misrepresented his physical condition.

Defense lawyers had argued Killen was wheelchair-bound after breaking both legs in a logging accident. But a deputy sheriff reported he saw Killen last week walking around at a service station.

Killen's attorney, Mitch Moran, had said his client cannot walk and cannot drive an automobile.

Killen was convicted on three counts of manslaughter in June for orchestrating the killings. He was sentenced to three consecutive 20-year terms.

Killen had posted a $600,000 appeal bond in August.