We're very proud of Dennis Sweet for his work and having the opportunity to move forward with a 1964 civil rights case. It's a landmark case that deals with the brutal murder of two, young African American teenagers -- Henry Hezekiah Dee and Charles Eddie Moore. Since the action took place in 1964, there was an issue with the statute of limitations. However, U.S. District Court Judge Tom Lee, citing a 5th Circuit case, tolled the statue of limitations, as plaintiffs weren't in possession of "crucial facts" in the case until the 2007 trial of Klansmen James Seale.
These "crucial facts" related to then-Franklin County Sheriff Wayne Hutto and Deputy Kirby Shell conspiring with the Klan to commit these crimes, refusing to investigate afterwards and then covering up their deeds. The families of the young teenagers didn't know about this until Seale's trial.
In their complaint, the families allege these killing were part of a 1964 campaign of unlawful violence in Franklin County aimed at deterring African Americans from voting and further civil participation.
We wish the families the best as they continue to advocate for justice.
- Joey Diaz
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