Women of the Movement (2022) s01e04 Episode Script
Manhunt
Hey, now.
It's got to be 100 degrees in the shade today.
I-I was hoping I could trouble you for a sip.
You work around here? Just down the road at the Shurden place.
I-I cut through here sometimes on my way to the market.
Saves me a few steps.
You could fry an egg in this heat today.
Sure could.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Down at the Shurden place, all anybody can talk about these days is that Till boy turned up dead.
Some folks say he was seen around here the morning he went missing.
You hear anything like that? Folks say a lot of things.
But I ain't got time for gossip.
You take care now.
I don't work at the Shurden place, ma'am.
My name is Ruby Hurley.
I work for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, and I've been chasing down leads all day to try to find the folks that saw Emmett Till on the morning that he was murdered.
From what I hear, you might be one of those folks.
I ain't seen nothin', and I ain't got nothin' to say.
Ma'am, that boy was hunted down and killed in cold blood.
Now, if you know something, you can expose the truth.
And what good is that gon' do? - He's dead! - Look! I know that you're scared.
I-I know that you'd be risking y-your job and your livelihood - to come forward.
- "Livelihood"? I been picking cotton all my life, and I'm still waitin' to make a profit.
That is exactly what I am talking about.
Nothing is gonna change for us unless folks like you come forward.
And if you don't, who's to say it won't be your child next? All I saw was a truck parked over at the shed that morning and and four white men standing around.
Did you recognize any of those men? I didn't get a good look.
But one of them was tall and was kind of bald-headed.
I heard Emmett Till was seen in the back of a truck with two Negro men.
Did you see any of them? No.
But I know someone over at the Shurden place.
Name's Willie Reed.
He saw that boy.
And those other men, too.
Only he says there was three of them in the back.
Three men were with Emmett? Where can I find Willie Reed? I don't know.
He went missing a couple of days ago, and ain't nobody seen him since.
Jury selection began yesterday in the trial against J.
W.
Milam and Roy Bryant The two men accused of killing 14-year-old Negro Emmett Till.
Noticeably missing was Mamie Bradley, mother of the alleged victim, but the courtroom was packed with spectators.
Many Mississippi locals complained about the level of publicity this case has drawn and what some believe has been an unfair portrayal of their region.
This trial comes at a time when racial tensions continue to escalate in the area, as several Negro activists were shot dead in recent months with no arrests made.
The discovery of the body alleged to be Till has set off a series of protest rallies led by the NAACP.
At one event held in Chicago, Mamie Bradley reportedly referred to Mississippi as a "den of snakes.
" Yeah, we were out there half the night.
I was just about ready to give up, but the Chief here managed to track down Willie Reed's grandfather and get him to talk.
Turns out he was on the plantation that morning, too.
Said he heard sounds of beating coming from the shed, and someone screamin'.
But did he actually lay eyes on Emmett? No.
Apparently, the only one who did was Willie Reed, and I got the sense from the grandfather that Willie's hiding out 'cause he's too scared to talk.
So, Bryant and Milam had at least two white accomplices, one who fits the description - of Milam's brother.
- Mm-hmm.
And I'd wager that two of the Negro men who were in the back of the truck are the same fellas I heard about at the dance hall "Too Tight" and Henry Lee Loggins.
Yeah, one of them has to be the third man who went with Bryant and Milam to Mose Wright's.
So, where are they? Well, either they're hiding out like Willie Reed or someone's keeping them quiet.
We don't have enough evidence to place Emmett at that plantation without any of them.
But we do have enough to take this public, call for further investigation.
This is our last chance to get this case moved out of Tallahatchie County and out of Sheriff Strider's jurisdiction.
- Then let's run the story.
- No.
If we go to press now, we put those witnesses' lives in jeopardy.
No, we have to get them to safety first.
And how can we protect them if we can't even find them? If jury selection wraps up this morning as scheduled, they'll begin hearing testimony, and we won't be able to introduce any new evidence.
Which is why we need the authorities.
They have the resources to find those witnesses and finish what we started.
Or make it all disappear.
Exactly.
Sheriff Strider wants this case, and he won't let it leave this county without a fight.
He's dirty and connected.
We have to be careful who we involve.
What about Chatham? By all appearances, he's putting in the work A good-faith effort.
Think we can trust him? Maybe.
And his associate, Robert Smith Uh, he's former FBI.
It doesn't matter who we go to.
They're not gon' listen to us.
On a good day, they see us as outside agitators with no business in local affairs.
On every other day, we're just a bunch of uppity Negroes causing trouble.
You got a better idea? What if Chatham learns about the witnesses from someone else? Someone who can hold him accountable.
Someone white.
Yeah, and he would have no choice but to take it seriously.
Question is who can we trust with something this big? Hey, there she is.
- Hey! - Hey! - Mrs.
Bradley? - Mamie! - Mrs.
Bradley? - Mamie, over here! Mamie, what evidence do you have that's relevant to the case? Are you here to seek revenge? - Mrs.
Bradley? - Over here.
What do you intend to do here today? I am here to answer any questions that my That the a-attorneys may ask me to answer to the best Do you have any evidence bearing on this case? I-I do know that this is my son.
How do you respond to local citizens who say a civilized mother would never have put a child's body on public display? We've looked away for too long.
Opening my son's casket made it impossible to ignore what really goes on down here.
What about your son's father, ma'am? Where is he? Just keep moving.
Whoa, whoa, whoa.
I'm gonna need you boys to stop.
Hold your hands out to the side.
It's okay.
Just wait for us over there.
Come on.
All right.
Come on.
I'm fine.
Just wrinkled my good shirt, that's all.
All right, go ahead.
Mr.
Booker.
What a relief to see a familiar face.
Mm.
My goodness, it's hot in here.
It's supposed to be 95 degrees today, and that's just outside.
Get your ice-cold sodas.
Don't worry.
We got plenty of water with us at the press table.
Meet Ruby Hurley from the NAACP.
Mrs.
Bradley.
Oh.
You made it.
- It is such an honor.
- Thank you.
I-I must admit, you're the first woman I've met in the NAACP.
We are few, but fierce.
Well, I'd say so.
So, what is it that you do? Oh, I'm the Southeastern Director, which basically means I travel around to the worst sections of the country raising hell in the name of justice.
Ruby leads an army of 35,000 and is probably the only one to receive death threats and marriage proposals in equal measure.
It's a hazard of the job.
Sometimes you gotta flip your hips if you want to get people to talk to you.
Well, it's good to know that women are a part of the movement.
Oh, we're not just part of it.
We're essential to it.
And seeing you fighting for your child is gonna inspire other women to do the same.
Mamie Bradley.
Nice of you to join us.
Your subpoena.
You are now officially a witness in this trial.
While you are here, you will come under all rules of Mississippi.
- Understood? - Yes, sir.
My God, they allow children in the courtroom? All rise.
The court is now in session.
The Honorable Judge Swango presiding.
Please be seated.
Thank you.
I would like to remind the members of the press that neither photography nor sketching will be permitted while this court's in session, though it may resume during recess.
Counsel, you may continue jury selection.
Thank you, Your Honor.
Mr.
Lay have you ever contributed to either Mr.
Bryant or Mr.
Milam's defense fund? Well, I might have might not have.
Would you please tell the court how you feel about All right, you be good now.
- Mind your granny.
- You ready for some lunch? I don't know that I have much of an appetite after all that.
But I would like to find the ladies' room.
The closest we could use is over at James Griffin's Place The diner across town.
- We'll take you.
- Across town? Meanwhile, there's a "whites only" bathroom on every floor of the courthouse.
Even the defendants get to use the one in the judge's chambers.
We'll have plenty of time to grab lunch then make it back to hear testimony with time to spare.
I say it's a miracle they found 12 men who hadn't contributed to the defense fund Or at least admitted to contributing.
They were a motley looking bunch, weren't they? Well, let's just hope Mr.
Chatham selected a few jurors with enough good sense - to distinguish truth from lies.
- Yeah.
Why, it was just a few years ago, J.
W.
Milam saved a little Negro girl from drowning in the Tallahatchie River.
He has loaned his own car to his workers on On several occasions, and once even rushed one to the hospital when he'd slashed a vein.
Now, these are not the actions of a man with racial hatred in his heart.
Mr.
Milam is loved by all the Negroes in his community.
That sheriff has his deputies frisk the family of the victim this morning, then has the gall to eat lunch with them? As if they're just a couple of old pals? Try not to focus on them.
But how can I ignore it? There is nothing for me to do here except sit still and watch and wait.
Oh, God.
Maybe if y'all could just catch me up on what you've been working on, I-I could be of help somehow.
There must be something I can do.
You showed up.
I know that wasn't easy.
And it won't be any easier tomorrow or the next day, but it matters.
It really does.
So just keep showing up.
Mr.
Chatham, Mr.
Smith.
Y'all have a moment? I'm sorry, son, but we won't be making any statements - to the press at this time.
- I'm not looking for anything.
I have something for you.
From Dr.
Howard.
Well, I can't imagine what he'd have for me.
Witnesses.
He's found at least three who saw Emmett Till on the morning of his death, can identify the location where he was taken Where his murder likely occurred.
And they can even place the defendants there and confirm they did not act alone.
Where are these people? Dr.
Howard and his team will disclose their identities as soon as they receive assurances from law enforcement that they'll be brought in safely to testify.
But they're gonna need you to reach out to trusted officials.
No Strider.
Understood.
There's more to it than that.
According to these witnesses, Till was likely killed on a plantation in Sunflower County.
Well, if that's true, we'll have to forfeit this case over to their District Attorney.
Sanders is chomping at the bit.
I thought you might be relieved to have it off your plate.
It's a tough case.
The kind that legacies are made from.
Well, it wouldn't be much of a legacy if you lost, would it? Without these witnesses, that's a strong possibility.
All rise.
Court is now in session.
The Honorable Judge Swango presiding.
You may be seated.
Court will now hear the case of the State of Mississippi vs.
Roy Bryant and J.
W.
Milam.
Both sides present, ready for testimony? Ready for the defense, Your Honor.
Your Honor, I'd like to request a continuance.
We're about to begin testimony, Mr.
Chatham.
What cause do you have for delay? Your Honor, moments ago, our office was informed of the existence of several witnesses previously unknown to us Witnesses who could provide evidence that could change the course If not the very nature Of these proceedings.
I need order in this court.
Please remain quiet while we discuss this matter further.
Uh, t-the defense has not been made aware of any new witnesses, and we move to exclude any additional testimony and that we continue with the proceedings without undue delay.
Court finds the state's position reasonable.
Continuance is granted.
Witness testimony will begin tomorrow morning.
Court is adjourned for the remainder of the day.
You knew? We wanted to tell you, but we weren't sure how it'd pan out.
We didn't want to get your hopes up till Medgar here gave us the all-clear.
Well, tell me now.
Well, we found some local plantation workers who either saw or heard Emmett on the morning of his disappearance.
They heard him? Tell me.
What did they hear? Your son crying out.
They wanted to help.
They just didn't see how they could.
And it won't be easy to hear what they have to say, but if we can get this case moved to Sunflower County, we are one step closer to justice for your son.
I hope you're right.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I think I've had enough for today.
Um, I'd like to settle in at Dr.
Howard's.
Okay, okay.
All right.
Welcome to Mound Bayou.
Thank you.
It is a pleasure to finally meet you, Mrs.
Bradley.
Thank you for opening your home to us.
I am very grateful.
Ah, Mr.
Mooty.
It's a real honor, sir.
Ah, Mr.
Carthan.
Show these gentlemen to their rooms, will you? I'm going to give Mrs.
Bradley here the VIP tour.
Wow.
Did I see a pool on my way out here? Oh, indeed, you did.
Where else are our children going to swim? Everything in our community is meant to enrich its people.
Even our hospital employs an all-Negro staff, so when one of us is sick, we can enter through the front door, and we can do so knowing that we'll be heard and counseled by someone that can see our pain and acknowledge it.
And you are the chief of surgery.
- Yes.
- My goodness.
I didn't even think a thing like that was possible.
It wasn't.
Until it was, huh? Until you made it so? Oh, no, no, no.
Oh, I can't take the credit, no.
Mound Bayou was founded out of necessity by Isaiah Montgomery and Benjamin Green.
Now, both men had been enslaved, and as soon as they were free and capable, they recruited the best of their people and turned this town into a self-reliant community.
- A safe haven.
- Absolutely.
Well, the settlers had spent their entire lives building up this land for white folks.
They decided it was time they built something for themselves, huh? 68 years later, I am humbled to play a small role in its continued growth.
It's wonderful All of it.
Since I crossed the state line, I've been made to feel like a fugitive.
I feel like I've been holding my breath for days.
I know the feeling well.
Thank you for giving me a space where I can breathe.
Of course.
And if there's anything else I can do to make you feel more at home, you just let me know, huh? There you are.
I'll have our cook whip up something fine and Southern for supper at around 6:30.
Dr.
Howard.
You're the freest Black man I've ever met.
You could live anywhere.
Why don't you move up North? That pool those children, this community These are my people, and there is far too much work to do down here.
If I leave Mississippi I leave them behind.
Willie Reed? You're a hard one to find.
My name is Mr.
Sanders, and I'm a District Attorney in Sunflower County.
And I heard you know something about that Chicago boy.
The boy from the papers? No, I don I don't know nothing, sir.
Willie, these men here just spent half a day trying to track you down.
Now, I know you're not gonna waste our time.
Well, I-I think I seen him on the back of some truck.
Whereabouts? Down by the Sturdivant property.
Sir.
That confirms it.
If all goes as it should, we'll be taking over from Tallahatchie County and you'll be called in as a witness for the state.
Now, you understand what that means? Yes, sir.
Now, normally, we'd be taking you in to give your official statement, but we know tensions are a little hot right now amongst the Negroes.
So we've worked out a deal with that doctor fella down in Mound Bayou.
You heard of him? Dr.
Howard.
Yes, sir.
Well, he's offered up his home if you feel the need for protection during the trial.
Well, what about after the trial, sir? What are we supposed to do then? Leave the questions to me.
Now, we're asking you to meet out there at his place at 6:00 tonight to give your statement, and we're asking you to come willingly.
But we're not gonna ask twice.
Mighty fine place you have here, Dr.
Howard.
I admit Never seen a Negro in such a home before.
Not legally, anyway.
I think the folks at the tax board must share your astonishment, considering how many times I've been audited.
But rest assured, gentlemen It all checks out.
It's been nearly an hour.
I don't think they're coming.
If we had taken them into custody, this would've been a whole lot simpler.
If you had taken them into custody, they never would've felt safe enough to tell the truth the way they did with us.
Do I need to remind you folks our boys tracked down the witnesses y'all failed to locate? You tracked them down by threatening and intimidating the community that was trying to keep them safe, and the only reason they are not here now is because you and your posse scared the living daylights out of everyone.
All the locals are saying they thought you were FBI.
She goes on talking this way to me, we're gonna have a problem.
Enough! We all want the same thing here, don't we? We want these witnesses to talk.
We want the best possible chance at a fair trial down here.
And you, Sheriff Smith? The same thing.
And we want the trial moved out of Strider's jurisdiction.
Then I'd say the answer to my question is yes, correct? If the law says the case is mine, then I want to win Simple as that.
Well, in order to win, you need these witnesses to come forward.
He's right, Stanny.
These witnesses have a story to tell, and we just need to make them feel safe enough to tell it.
And I think working together is the best chance we've got.
Even if it takes all night.
Mandy, d Please, ma'am.
I was wrong about what I said before, ma'am.
I got confused.
B-But I didn't see nothing, I swear.
Just give us a minute, please.
Look, I said something to you before that's been nagging me.
I said that if you spoke up, you'd be risking your livelihood.
Well, that was a-a stupid thing for me to say, and I apologize, because we both know damn well that you'd be risking a whole hell of a lot more than that.
You'd be risking your life to testify.
I just want to keep my family safe.
I know, I know.
And I promise you, they will be.
We have all the resources of the NAACP and Dr.
Howard to protect you And not just during the trial, but afterwards, too.
I-I can't just leave my granddaddy.
Well, he could go with you.
A-And Dr.
Howard will provide financial assistance until you can both get on your feet up there.
We don't need no handout.
Never have.
I work hard.
So does my grandson.
He's just starting to make his own way.
So why would he want to throw all that away by talking in court about somethin' that ain't none of his business anyhow? Because if he speaks up about what he saw, he can help change the way things go around here for us.
And you'll both be free to start again in Chicago.
Free to make a better life where you aren't living like slaves.
Ain't nothin' wrong with the life we got here now.
A life where you can't speak the truth for fear of what will happen to you after? What kind of life is that? Now, I am telling you, there is a better way, but it has to start with all of us.
Come in.
Oh.
I hear you missed dinner.
Is everything okay? Oh, I apologize.
Time slipped away, I suppose.
It's my fault.
I-I should've sent someone to check on you.
It's been hard to get away with all of the excitement trying to track down those witnesses.
Any progress? We shall see in the morning.
I hope I haven't come off as rude.
It's just, every time I try to leave, the sky keeps pulling me back in.
It's not like this in Chicago.
- Hmm.
- So many stars.
Yeah.
It makes me wonder if Emmett had a chance to see them.
I want to believe he did.
Sounds like you're having a hard time, though Believing.
I am.
And I'm ashamed to say that when I got here, I was angry at my Uncle Mose.
I-I I couldn't say it, but I-I felt it in the pit of my stomach, for him promising to give Emmett the summer camp experience.
And now? The anger's gone.
I just I feel so sorry for him, because he believed.
He really thought he could give that to my boy.
Do you think it's possible for a Black boy in Mississippi to see the stars? Well, if I didn't, I wouldn't be fighting like I do.
Fighting so that the next generation can live without fear and be fully human.
And see the stars.
But what about now? Are men like Uncle Mose supposed to keep living by the code? Suppressing their emotions to get by? I mean, that's no kind of life.
Well, that's the life he's always known.
I don't know.
Maybe white folks down here don't think we have feelings.
If they did, how could they treat us like they do? Mamie.
You are showing them that we do feel That we hurt like them, that we love like them.
You opened that casket so they'd see your pain.
You showed up so they could see your love.
And what if they're blind to it? You have more faith than that.
I used to think so.
But the "code" will serve Uncle Mose on the stand tomorrow.
He will fall in line.
I don't suppose every Black man down here could be as brave as you are, Dr.
Howard.
My means have afforded me the privilege of raising hell.
But I assure you, Mrs.
Bradley, any witness who takes that stand tomorrow is doing so knowing that they are putting everything on the line.
Courage looks different on every man.
Oh, excuse me, young man.
- S-Sorry, ma'am.
- That's quite all right.
I didn't see her.
I'm sorry.
It's okay, Simmy.
It's okay, son.
If they call me, what are they gon' ask? What you saw that night they took Bobo that's all.
After I tell them, can I come home? When are things gonna go back? They're not going back, son.
They've been in there for ages.
Chatham has to clear each witness with the judge and the defense before they can be admitted.
Hopefully, they're just being thorough.
The court has made a decision.
The state will be permitted to call on these new witnesses to present their testimony to the jury tomorrow.
But the trial will remain in Sumner.
I guess we're stuck with Sheriff Strider.
Why isn't the trial moving? I can only assume that the judge didn't believe there was enough evidence to prove that the murder occurred on that plantation.
But he's allowing them to testify.
Doesn't that mean he finds them credible? He, uh, might find it credible that Emmett was brought there, but what actually happened there might require more convincing.
Either way, the fact that the jury will get to hear from them at all is still a big victory for us.
This court is now in session.
The state may call its first witness.
Thank you, Your Honor.
The state would like to call to the stand Mose Wright.
It was August 28th at about 2:00 in the morning.
I woke up and heard someone at the front door saying, "Preacher, Preacher.
" And when I got there, I asked who it was.
He said, "This is Mr.
Bryant, and I want to talk to you and that boy.
" What did you do? Well, I got up, opened the door and Mr.
Milam was standing there with a pistol in his right hand and a flashlight in his left hand.
Now, I want you to stop right there for a minute, Uncle Mose.
I want you to point out Mr.
Milam if you can see him in here.
There he is.
And do you see Mr.
Bryant in here? Now after you opened the door, what happened next? Well, Mr.
Milam said, "I want that boy that done all the talkin' down at Money.
" And what did you do? We went to a bedroom, and we found Emmett and Simeon in there.
And, uh, Mr.
Milam told him to get up, so they got up and dressed, and they started out.
And what happened after that? Mr.
Milam asked me, "How old are you?" I said 64.
He said, "Well if you know any of us here tonight, then you will never live to get to be 65.
" And then, did they leave your house with Emmett Till? Yes, sir.
What, if anything, did you see when Mr.
Milam and Mr.
Bryant took Emmett out in front of your house? I saw a truck headed off toward Money.
Before Mr.
Milam and Mr.
Bryant got to the truck with Emmett Till, did you hear them make any statement or ask anyone any question? I sure did.
They asked if this is the boy, and someone said yes.
Hmm.
Was that a man's voice you heard, or a lady's voice you heard? Well, i-it seemed lighter than a man's voice.
Did you say it seemed like a louder voice? Lighter.
Lighter voice.
Now, I want you to tell the court and the jury, when was the next time After Emmett Till was taken from your house That you saw either him or his body? I saw his body when he was taken out of the river.
I want you to tell the jury whether or not you could tell whose body it was.
Yes, sir.
It was Emmett Till.
Now, when you first saw the body, did you notice whether or not the undertaker took a ring off of Emmett's finger? Yes, sir, he sure did.
Is this the ring that the undertaker took off of Emmett's finger that morning? Yes, sir, it is.
No further questions, Your Honor.
Mose, when the two men came to your house that night, as you say, was anybody else with them at that time? Yes, sir.
There was a man who stood by the screen door.
And how was he standing? He was, uh, standin' kind of with his His head down, like this here peering.
He was trying to hide, it looked like.
In other words, you think he was trying to hide to keep you from seeing him? Yes, sir, that's right.
And I believe you said before that you thought he was a colored man.
- Is that right? - Yes, sir.
He He acted like a colored man.
Now, you say Mr.
Milam had a flashlight in his hand.
Where was that flashlight pointed? It was out like this at me.
And, uh, did you ever have any lights turned on in your house while those men were in there? - No, sir.
- Hmm.
And did Mr.
Milam ever shine the light in his own face? No, but I could see from the light.
You know how it will shine out from the side like that? Ah.
Mose, uh, y-you talked to me over at my office last week, - is that right? - That's right.
Is it a fact, Mose, that on that day you told me and my colleagues that you thought this was Mr.
Milam in your house that night because he was a big man with a bald head? That's right, sir.
And the first time that you ever saw him was when they came into this courtroom, isn't that right? No, I-I-I knew them from that night, sir.
But the only reason you say you know him now because the man at your house had a bald head, isn't that right? No, I-I-I knowed his face a-and his stature.
I knowed his face just like I see him sitting there now.
You changed your story, haven't you? They was at my house.
No, the only thing you saw at your house, the only man you saw was bald-headed, isn't that right? Well no.
I-I mean, yes, that's right.
And isn't it a fact that you told me and these other gentlemen here that you saw Mr.
Milam in the newspaper before you saw him in the courtroom? I don't remember saying that.
Do you deny saying that to me? I don't remember.
Mose, did you ever see the light shining in the face of the man you say identified himself as Mr.
Bryant that night? No, sir.
Had you ever seen him before that? Not to know him.
Have you ever been in his store? I never have.
And the first time you ever saw Mr.
Bryant was in the courtroom this week, wasn't it? The first time I ever saw his face, that's right.
Now, Mose, the only reason you identified that man as Mr.
Bryant is due to the fact that he said he was Mr.
Bryant.
Isn't that right? That's right.
Now, let's, uh Let's go on up there to the morning on the river, Mose.
Isn't it a fact that you only identified the body as that of Emmett Till's because it didn't have any whiskers? And so you figured it was the body of a child, and since Emmett had gone missing, you just assumed it was him.
I never mentioned no missing.
Mose, do you deny that you made this statement? No, I did not say it.
You did not make that statement? No! I did not make it! I'm so sorry.
They got me so flustered up there.
- Made a fool of me.
- Don't apologize.
- Mamie? - For anything.
They're not gonna call Simmy to testify.
Did Mr.
Chatham say why he changed his mind? No, and I-I know I shouldn't be relieved, but if they'd gone at him the way they went at me, I'd have full-out lost it.
They tried to tear you down and keep you small.
That could've broken any man, but it didn't break you.
Not today.
Not in the 60-somethin' years leading up to this day.
When you stood up to them, you stood up for Emmett.
What you did in there took courage.
Well, I spent my whole life with my head down, only looking up when I was talking to God.
But I'm starting to think that the sky is just too beautiful not to keep my head up.
It ain't easy looking up.
I know.
I know that now.
I do.
I'm gonna try.
You promise me that you do the same when you up there on that stand tomorrow.
You hear me? I'll try.
It's got to be 100 degrees in the shade today.
I-I was hoping I could trouble you for a sip.
You work around here? Just down the road at the Shurden place.
I-I cut through here sometimes on my way to the market.
Saves me a few steps.
You could fry an egg in this heat today.
Sure could.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Down at the Shurden place, all anybody can talk about these days is that Till boy turned up dead.
Some folks say he was seen around here the morning he went missing.
You hear anything like that? Folks say a lot of things.
But I ain't got time for gossip.
You take care now.
I don't work at the Shurden place, ma'am.
My name is Ruby Hurley.
I work for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, and I've been chasing down leads all day to try to find the folks that saw Emmett Till on the morning that he was murdered.
From what I hear, you might be one of those folks.
I ain't seen nothin', and I ain't got nothin' to say.
Ma'am, that boy was hunted down and killed in cold blood.
Now, if you know something, you can expose the truth.
And what good is that gon' do? - He's dead! - Look! I know that you're scared.
I-I know that you'd be risking y-your job and your livelihood - to come forward.
- "Livelihood"? I been picking cotton all my life, and I'm still waitin' to make a profit.
That is exactly what I am talking about.
Nothing is gonna change for us unless folks like you come forward.
And if you don't, who's to say it won't be your child next? All I saw was a truck parked over at the shed that morning and and four white men standing around.
Did you recognize any of those men? I didn't get a good look.
But one of them was tall and was kind of bald-headed.
I heard Emmett Till was seen in the back of a truck with two Negro men.
Did you see any of them? No.
But I know someone over at the Shurden place.
Name's Willie Reed.
He saw that boy.
And those other men, too.
Only he says there was three of them in the back.
Three men were with Emmett? Where can I find Willie Reed? I don't know.
He went missing a couple of days ago, and ain't nobody seen him since.
Jury selection began yesterday in the trial against J.
W.
Milam and Roy Bryant The two men accused of killing 14-year-old Negro Emmett Till.
Noticeably missing was Mamie Bradley, mother of the alleged victim, but the courtroom was packed with spectators.
Many Mississippi locals complained about the level of publicity this case has drawn and what some believe has been an unfair portrayal of their region.
This trial comes at a time when racial tensions continue to escalate in the area, as several Negro activists were shot dead in recent months with no arrests made.
The discovery of the body alleged to be Till has set off a series of protest rallies led by the NAACP.
At one event held in Chicago, Mamie Bradley reportedly referred to Mississippi as a "den of snakes.
" Yeah, we were out there half the night.
I was just about ready to give up, but the Chief here managed to track down Willie Reed's grandfather and get him to talk.
Turns out he was on the plantation that morning, too.
Said he heard sounds of beating coming from the shed, and someone screamin'.
But did he actually lay eyes on Emmett? No.
Apparently, the only one who did was Willie Reed, and I got the sense from the grandfather that Willie's hiding out 'cause he's too scared to talk.
So, Bryant and Milam had at least two white accomplices, one who fits the description - of Milam's brother.
- Mm-hmm.
And I'd wager that two of the Negro men who were in the back of the truck are the same fellas I heard about at the dance hall "Too Tight" and Henry Lee Loggins.
Yeah, one of them has to be the third man who went with Bryant and Milam to Mose Wright's.
So, where are they? Well, either they're hiding out like Willie Reed or someone's keeping them quiet.
We don't have enough evidence to place Emmett at that plantation without any of them.
But we do have enough to take this public, call for further investigation.
This is our last chance to get this case moved out of Tallahatchie County and out of Sheriff Strider's jurisdiction.
- Then let's run the story.
- No.
If we go to press now, we put those witnesses' lives in jeopardy.
No, we have to get them to safety first.
And how can we protect them if we can't even find them? If jury selection wraps up this morning as scheduled, they'll begin hearing testimony, and we won't be able to introduce any new evidence.
Which is why we need the authorities.
They have the resources to find those witnesses and finish what we started.
Or make it all disappear.
Exactly.
Sheriff Strider wants this case, and he won't let it leave this county without a fight.
He's dirty and connected.
We have to be careful who we involve.
What about Chatham? By all appearances, he's putting in the work A good-faith effort.
Think we can trust him? Maybe.
And his associate, Robert Smith Uh, he's former FBI.
It doesn't matter who we go to.
They're not gon' listen to us.
On a good day, they see us as outside agitators with no business in local affairs.
On every other day, we're just a bunch of uppity Negroes causing trouble.
You got a better idea? What if Chatham learns about the witnesses from someone else? Someone who can hold him accountable.
Someone white.
Yeah, and he would have no choice but to take it seriously.
Question is who can we trust with something this big? Hey, there she is.
- Hey! - Hey! - Mrs.
Bradley? - Mamie! - Mrs.
Bradley? - Mamie, over here! Mamie, what evidence do you have that's relevant to the case? Are you here to seek revenge? - Mrs.
Bradley? - Over here.
What do you intend to do here today? I am here to answer any questions that my That the a-attorneys may ask me to answer to the best Do you have any evidence bearing on this case? I-I do know that this is my son.
How do you respond to local citizens who say a civilized mother would never have put a child's body on public display? We've looked away for too long.
Opening my son's casket made it impossible to ignore what really goes on down here.
What about your son's father, ma'am? Where is he? Just keep moving.
Whoa, whoa, whoa.
I'm gonna need you boys to stop.
Hold your hands out to the side.
It's okay.
Just wait for us over there.
Come on.
All right.
Come on.
I'm fine.
Just wrinkled my good shirt, that's all.
All right, go ahead.
Mr.
Booker.
What a relief to see a familiar face.
Mm.
My goodness, it's hot in here.
It's supposed to be 95 degrees today, and that's just outside.
Get your ice-cold sodas.
Don't worry.
We got plenty of water with us at the press table.
Meet Ruby Hurley from the NAACP.
Mrs.
Bradley.
Oh.
You made it.
- It is such an honor.
- Thank you.
I-I must admit, you're the first woman I've met in the NAACP.
We are few, but fierce.
Well, I'd say so.
So, what is it that you do? Oh, I'm the Southeastern Director, which basically means I travel around to the worst sections of the country raising hell in the name of justice.
Ruby leads an army of 35,000 and is probably the only one to receive death threats and marriage proposals in equal measure.
It's a hazard of the job.
Sometimes you gotta flip your hips if you want to get people to talk to you.
Well, it's good to know that women are a part of the movement.
Oh, we're not just part of it.
We're essential to it.
And seeing you fighting for your child is gonna inspire other women to do the same.
Mamie Bradley.
Nice of you to join us.
Your subpoena.
You are now officially a witness in this trial.
While you are here, you will come under all rules of Mississippi.
- Understood? - Yes, sir.
My God, they allow children in the courtroom? All rise.
The court is now in session.
The Honorable Judge Swango presiding.
Please be seated.
Thank you.
I would like to remind the members of the press that neither photography nor sketching will be permitted while this court's in session, though it may resume during recess.
Counsel, you may continue jury selection.
Thank you, Your Honor.
Mr.
Lay have you ever contributed to either Mr.
Bryant or Mr.
Milam's defense fund? Well, I might have might not have.
Would you please tell the court how you feel about All right, you be good now.
- Mind your granny.
- You ready for some lunch? I don't know that I have much of an appetite after all that.
But I would like to find the ladies' room.
The closest we could use is over at James Griffin's Place The diner across town.
- We'll take you.
- Across town? Meanwhile, there's a "whites only" bathroom on every floor of the courthouse.
Even the defendants get to use the one in the judge's chambers.
We'll have plenty of time to grab lunch then make it back to hear testimony with time to spare.
I say it's a miracle they found 12 men who hadn't contributed to the defense fund Or at least admitted to contributing.
They were a motley looking bunch, weren't they? Well, let's just hope Mr.
Chatham selected a few jurors with enough good sense - to distinguish truth from lies.
- Yeah.
Why, it was just a few years ago, J.
W.
Milam saved a little Negro girl from drowning in the Tallahatchie River.
He has loaned his own car to his workers on On several occasions, and once even rushed one to the hospital when he'd slashed a vein.
Now, these are not the actions of a man with racial hatred in his heart.
Mr.
Milam is loved by all the Negroes in his community.
That sheriff has his deputies frisk the family of the victim this morning, then has the gall to eat lunch with them? As if they're just a couple of old pals? Try not to focus on them.
But how can I ignore it? There is nothing for me to do here except sit still and watch and wait.
Oh, God.
Maybe if y'all could just catch me up on what you've been working on, I-I could be of help somehow.
There must be something I can do.
You showed up.
I know that wasn't easy.
And it won't be any easier tomorrow or the next day, but it matters.
It really does.
So just keep showing up.
Mr.
Chatham, Mr.
Smith.
Y'all have a moment? I'm sorry, son, but we won't be making any statements - to the press at this time.
- I'm not looking for anything.
I have something for you.
From Dr.
Howard.
Well, I can't imagine what he'd have for me.
Witnesses.
He's found at least three who saw Emmett Till on the morning of his death, can identify the location where he was taken Where his murder likely occurred.
And they can even place the defendants there and confirm they did not act alone.
Where are these people? Dr.
Howard and his team will disclose their identities as soon as they receive assurances from law enforcement that they'll be brought in safely to testify.
But they're gonna need you to reach out to trusted officials.
No Strider.
Understood.
There's more to it than that.
According to these witnesses, Till was likely killed on a plantation in Sunflower County.
Well, if that's true, we'll have to forfeit this case over to their District Attorney.
Sanders is chomping at the bit.
I thought you might be relieved to have it off your plate.
It's a tough case.
The kind that legacies are made from.
Well, it wouldn't be much of a legacy if you lost, would it? Without these witnesses, that's a strong possibility.
All rise.
Court is now in session.
The Honorable Judge Swango presiding.
You may be seated.
Court will now hear the case of the State of Mississippi vs.
Roy Bryant and J.
W.
Milam.
Both sides present, ready for testimony? Ready for the defense, Your Honor.
Your Honor, I'd like to request a continuance.
We're about to begin testimony, Mr.
Chatham.
What cause do you have for delay? Your Honor, moments ago, our office was informed of the existence of several witnesses previously unknown to us Witnesses who could provide evidence that could change the course If not the very nature Of these proceedings.
I need order in this court.
Please remain quiet while we discuss this matter further.
Uh, t-the defense has not been made aware of any new witnesses, and we move to exclude any additional testimony and that we continue with the proceedings without undue delay.
Court finds the state's position reasonable.
Continuance is granted.
Witness testimony will begin tomorrow morning.
Court is adjourned for the remainder of the day.
You knew? We wanted to tell you, but we weren't sure how it'd pan out.
We didn't want to get your hopes up till Medgar here gave us the all-clear.
Well, tell me now.
Well, we found some local plantation workers who either saw or heard Emmett on the morning of his disappearance.
They heard him? Tell me.
What did they hear? Your son crying out.
They wanted to help.
They just didn't see how they could.
And it won't be easy to hear what they have to say, but if we can get this case moved to Sunflower County, we are one step closer to justice for your son.
I hope you're right.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I think I've had enough for today.
Um, I'd like to settle in at Dr.
Howard's.
Okay, okay.
All right.
Welcome to Mound Bayou.
Thank you.
It is a pleasure to finally meet you, Mrs.
Bradley.
Thank you for opening your home to us.
I am very grateful.
Ah, Mr.
Mooty.
It's a real honor, sir.
Ah, Mr.
Carthan.
Show these gentlemen to their rooms, will you? I'm going to give Mrs.
Bradley here the VIP tour.
Wow.
Did I see a pool on my way out here? Oh, indeed, you did.
Where else are our children going to swim? Everything in our community is meant to enrich its people.
Even our hospital employs an all-Negro staff, so when one of us is sick, we can enter through the front door, and we can do so knowing that we'll be heard and counseled by someone that can see our pain and acknowledge it.
And you are the chief of surgery.
- Yes.
- My goodness.
I didn't even think a thing like that was possible.
It wasn't.
Until it was, huh? Until you made it so? Oh, no, no, no.
Oh, I can't take the credit, no.
Mound Bayou was founded out of necessity by Isaiah Montgomery and Benjamin Green.
Now, both men had been enslaved, and as soon as they were free and capable, they recruited the best of their people and turned this town into a self-reliant community.
- A safe haven.
- Absolutely.
Well, the settlers had spent their entire lives building up this land for white folks.
They decided it was time they built something for themselves, huh? 68 years later, I am humbled to play a small role in its continued growth.
It's wonderful All of it.
Since I crossed the state line, I've been made to feel like a fugitive.
I feel like I've been holding my breath for days.
I know the feeling well.
Thank you for giving me a space where I can breathe.
Of course.
And if there's anything else I can do to make you feel more at home, you just let me know, huh? There you are.
I'll have our cook whip up something fine and Southern for supper at around 6:30.
Dr.
Howard.
You're the freest Black man I've ever met.
You could live anywhere.
Why don't you move up North? That pool those children, this community These are my people, and there is far too much work to do down here.
If I leave Mississippi I leave them behind.
Willie Reed? You're a hard one to find.
My name is Mr.
Sanders, and I'm a District Attorney in Sunflower County.
And I heard you know something about that Chicago boy.
The boy from the papers? No, I don I don't know nothing, sir.
Willie, these men here just spent half a day trying to track you down.
Now, I know you're not gonna waste our time.
Well, I-I think I seen him on the back of some truck.
Whereabouts? Down by the Sturdivant property.
Sir.
That confirms it.
If all goes as it should, we'll be taking over from Tallahatchie County and you'll be called in as a witness for the state.
Now, you understand what that means? Yes, sir.
Now, normally, we'd be taking you in to give your official statement, but we know tensions are a little hot right now amongst the Negroes.
So we've worked out a deal with that doctor fella down in Mound Bayou.
You heard of him? Dr.
Howard.
Yes, sir.
Well, he's offered up his home if you feel the need for protection during the trial.
Well, what about after the trial, sir? What are we supposed to do then? Leave the questions to me.
Now, we're asking you to meet out there at his place at 6:00 tonight to give your statement, and we're asking you to come willingly.
But we're not gonna ask twice.
Mighty fine place you have here, Dr.
Howard.
I admit Never seen a Negro in such a home before.
Not legally, anyway.
I think the folks at the tax board must share your astonishment, considering how many times I've been audited.
But rest assured, gentlemen It all checks out.
It's been nearly an hour.
I don't think they're coming.
If we had taken them into custody, this would've been a whole lot simpler.
If you had taken them into custody, they never would've felt safe enough to tell the truth the way they did with us.
Do I need to remind you folks our boys tracked down the witnesses y'all failed to locate? You tracked them down by threatening and intimidating the community that was trying to keep them safe, and the only reason they are not here now is because you and your posse scared the living daylights out of everyone.
All the locals are saying they thought you were FBI.
She goes on talking this way to me, we're gonna have a problem.
Enough! We all want the same thing here, don't we? We want these witnesses to talk.
We want the best possible chance at a fair trial down here.
And you, Sheriff Smith? The same thing.
And we want the trial moved out of Strider's jurisdiction.
Then I'd say the answer to my question is yes, correct? If the law says the case is mine, then I want to win Simple as that.
Well, in order to win, you need these witnesses to come forward.
He's right, Stanny.
These witnesses have a story to tell, and we just need to make them feel safe enough to tell it.
And I think working together is the best chance we've got.
Even if it takes all night.
Mandy, d Please, ma'am.
I was wrong about what I said before, ma'am.
I got confused.
B-But I didn't see nothing, I swear.
Just give us a minute, please.
Look, I said something to you before that's been nagging me.
I said that if you spoke up, you'd be risking your livelihood.
Well, that was a-a stupid thing for me to say, and I apologize, because we both know damn well that you'd be risking a whole hell of a lot more than that.
You'd be risking your life to testify.
I just want to keep my family safe.
I know, I know.
And I promise you, they will be.
We have all the resources of the NAACP and Dr.
Howard to protect you And not just during the trial, but afterwards, too.
I-I can't just leave my granddaddy.
Well, he could go with you.
A-And Dr.
Howard will provide financial assistance until you can both get on your feet up there.
We don't need no handout.
Never have.
I work hard.
So does my grandson.
He's just starting to make his own way.
So why would he want to throw all that away by talking in court about somethin' that ain't none of his business anyhow? Because if he speaks up about what he saw, he can help change the way things go around here for us.
And you'll both be free to start again in Chicago.
Free to make a better life where you aren't living like slaves.
Ain't nothin' wrong with the life we got here now.
A life where you can't speak the truth for fear of what will happen to you after? What kind of life is that? Now, I am telling you, there is a better way, but it has to start with all of us.
Come in.
Oh.
I hear you missed dinner.
Is everything okay? Oh, I apologize.
Time slipped away, I suppose.
It's my fault.
I-I should've sent someone to check on you.
It's been hard to get away with all of the excitement trying to track down those witnesses.
Any progress? We shall see in the morning.
I hope I haven't come off as rude.
It's just, every time I try to leave, the sky keeps pulling me back in.
It's not like this in Chicago.
- Hmm.
- So many stars.
Yeah.
It makes me wonder if Emmett had a chance to see them.
I want to believe he did.
Sounds like you're having a hard time, though Believing.
I am.
And I'm ashamed to say that when I got here, I was angry at my Uncle Mose.
I-I I couldn't say it, but I-I felt it in the pit of my stomach, for him promising to give Emmett the summer camp experience.
And now? The anger's gone.
I just I feel so sorry for him, because he believed.
He really thought he could give that to my boy.
Do you think it's possible for a Black boy in Mississippi to see the stars? Well, if I didn't, I wouldn't be fighting like I do.
Fighting so that the next generation can live without fear and be fully human.
And see the stars.
But what about now? Are men like Uncle Mose supposed to keep living by the code? Suppressing their emotions to get by? I mean, that's no kind of life.
Well, that's the life he's always known.
I don't know.
Maybe white folks down here don't think we have feelings.
If they did, how could they treat us like they do? Mamie.
You are showing them that we do feel That we hurt like them, that we love like them.
You opened that casket so they'd see your pain.
You showed up so they could see your love.
And what if they're blind to it? You have more faith than that.
I used to think so.
But the "code" will serve Uncle Mose on the stand tomorrow.
He will fall in line.
I don't suppose every Black man down here could be as brave as you are, Dr.
Howard.
My means have afforded me the privilege of raising hell.
But I assure you, Mrs.
Bradley, any witness who takes that stand tomorrow is doing so knowing that they are putting everything on the line.
Courage looks different on every man.
Oh, excuse me, young man.
- S-Sorry, ma'am.
- That's quite all right.
I didn't see her.
I'm sorry.
It's okay, Simmy.
It's okay, son.
If they call me, what are they gon' ask? What you saw that night they took Bobo that's all.
After I tell them, can I come home? When are things gonna go back? They're not going back, son.
They've been in there for ages.
Chatham has to clear each witness with the judge and the defense before they can be admitted.
Hopefully, they're just being thorough.
The court has made a decision.
The state will be permitted to call on these new witnesses to present their testimony to the jury tomorrow.
But the trial will remain in Sumner.
I guess we're stuck with Sheriff Strider.
Why isn't the trial moving? I can only assume that the judge didn't believe there was enough evidence to prove that the murder occurred on that plantation.
But he's allowing them to testify.
Doesn't that mean he finds them credible? He, uh, might find it credible that Emmett was brought there, but what actually happened there might require more convincing.
Either way, the fact that the jury will get to hear from them at all is still a big victory for us.
This court is now in session.
The state may call its first witness.
Thank you, Your Honor.
The state would like to call to the stand Mose Wright.
It was August 28th at about 2:00 in the morning.
I woke up and heard someone at the front door saying, "Preacher, Preacher.
" And when I got there, I asked who it was.
He said, "This is Mr.
Bryant, and I want to talk to you and that boy.
" What did you do? Well, I got up, opened the door and Mr.
Milam was standing there with a pistol in his right hand and a flashlight in his left hand.
Now, I want you to stop right there for a minute, Uncle Mose.
I want you to point out Mr.
Milam if you can see him in here.
There he is.
And do you see Mr.
Bryant in here? Now after you opened the door, what happened next? Well, Mr.
Milam said, "I want that boy that done all the talkin' down at Money.
" And what did you do? We went to a bedroom, and we found Emmett and Simeon in there.
And, uh, Mr.
Milam told him to get up, so they got up and dressed, and they started out.
And what happened after that? Mr.
Milam asked me, "How old are you?" I said 64.
He said, "Well if you know any of us here tonight, then you will never live to get to be 65.
" And then, did they leave your house with Emmett Till? Yes, sir.
What, if anything, did you see when Mr.
Milam and Mr.
Bryant took Emmett out in front of your house? I saw a truck headed off toward Money.
Before Mr.
Milam and Mr.
Bryant got to the truck with Emmett Till, did you hear them make any statement or ask anyone any question? I sure did.
They asked if this is the boy, and someone said yes.
Hmm.
Was that a man's voice you heard, or a lady's voice you heard? Well, i-it seemed lighter than a man's voice.
Did you say it seemed like a louder voice? Lighter.
Lighter voice.
Now, I want you to tell the court and the jury, when was the next time After Emmett Till was taken from your house That you saw either him or his body? I saw his body when he was taken out of the river.
I want you to tell the jury whether or not you could tell whose body it was.
Yes, sir.
It was Emmett Till.
Now, when you first saw the body, did you notice whether or not the undertaker took a ring off of Emmett's finger? Yes, sir, he sure did.
Is this the ring that the undertaker took off of Emmett's finger that morning? Yes, sir, it is.
No further questions, Your Honor.
Mose, when the two men came to your house that night, as you say, was anybody else with them at that time? Yes, sir.
There was a man who stood by the screen door.
And how was he standing? He was, uh, standin' kind of with his His head down, like this here peering.
He was trying to hide, it looked like.
In other words, you think he was trying to hide to keep you from seeing him? Yes, sir, that's right.
And I believe you said before that you thought he was a colored man.
- Is that right? - Yes, sir.
He He acted like a colored man.
Now, you say Mr.
Milam had a flashlight in his hand.
Where was that flashlight pointed? It was out like this at me.
And, uh, did you ever have any lights turned on in your house while those men were in there? - No, sir.
- Hmm.
And did Mr.
Milam ever shine the light in his own face? No, but I could see from the light.
You know how it will shine out from the side like that? Ah.
Mose, uh, y-you talked to me over at my office last week, - is that right? - That's right.
Is it a fact, Mose, that on that day you told me and my colleagues that you thought this was Mr.
Milam in your house that night because he was a big man with a bald head? That's right, sir.
And the first time that you ever saw him was when they came into this courtroom, isn't that right? No, I-I-I knew them from that night, sir.
But the only reason you say you know him now because the man at your house had a bald head, isn't that right? No, I-I-I knowed his face a-and his stature.
I knowed his face just like I see him sitting there now.
You changed your story, haven't you? They was at my house.
No, the only thing you saw at your house, the only man you saw was bald-headed, isn't that right? Well no.
I-I mean, yes, that's right.
And isn't it a fact that you told me and these other gentlemen here that you saw Mr.
Milam in the newspaper before you saw him in the courtroom? I don't remember saying that.
Do you deny saying that to me? I don't remember.
Mose, did you ever see the light shining in the face of the man you say identified himself as Mr.
Bryant that night? No, sir.
Had you ever seen him before that? Not to know him.
Have you ever been in his store? I never have.
And the first time you ever saw Mr.
Bryant was in the courtroom this week, wasn't it? The first time I ever saw his face, that's right.
Now, Mose, the only reason you identified that man as Mr.
Bryant is due to the fact that he said he was Mr.
Bryant.
Isn't that right? That's right.
Now, let's, uh Let's go on up there to the morning on the river, Mose.
Isn't it a fact that you only identified the body as that of Emmett Till's because it didn't have any whiskers? And so you figured it was the body of a child, and since Emmett had gone missing, you just assumed it was him.
I never mentioned no missing.
Mose, do you deny that you made this statement? No, I did not say it.
You did not make that statement? No! I did not make it! I'm so sorry.
They got me so flustered up there.
- Made a fool of me.
- Don't apologize.
- Mamie? - For anything.
They're not gonna call Simmy to testify.
Did Mr.
Chatham say why he changed his mind? No, and I-I know I shouldn't be relieved, but if they'd gone at him the way they went at me, I'd have full-out lost it.
They tried to tear you down and keep you small.
That could've broken any man, but it didn't break you.
Not today.
Not in the 60-somethin' years leading up to this day.
When you stood up to them, you stood up for Emmett.
What you did in there took courage.
Well, I spent my whole life with my head down, only looking up when I was talking to God.
But I'm starting to think that the sky is just too beautiful not to keep my head up.
It ain't easy looking up.
I know.
I know that now.
I do.
I'm gonna try.
You promise me that you do the same when you up there on that stand tomorrow.
You hear me? I'll try.