The FBI reopened the case and indicted Blanton and Cherry in 2000. Relatives of three of the slain girls spoke against Blanton’s release during the hearing. Blanton perpetrated in 1963, the message is we have to stop the hate and we will punish those who kill or maim in the name of hate," said Jones.īlanton's companions Robert Chambliss was convicted in 1977 while Bobby Frank Cherry was convicted in 2002. The decision to keep Thomas Edwin Blanton Jr., 78, imprisoned was met with applause. "Whether it's racial issues, whether it's gender issues, whether it is terrorist activity similar to what Mr. was a young Ku Klux Klansman with a reputation for hating blacks in 1963, when a bomb ripped a hole in the side of 16th Street Baptist Church. Donaldson Correctional Facility from unspecified causes while serving his life sentence, six days after his 82nd birthday. Supporters would argue that he is now too elderly and in ill health to be a threat to society, however, there is a much larger point to consider. This monster’s most recent parole hearing took place on August 3rd, 2016. On June 26, 2020, Blanton died at William E. now remains the only surviving member of a ruthless band of murderers and domestic terrorists. Parole was denied and deferred until 2021. attorney Doug Jones who prosecuted Blanton said the Klansman should not be granted parole since he has admitted responsiblity for the bombing and has not expressed regret. Blanton went before the parole board on August 3, 2016. "We were at that church learning about love and forgiveness when someone was outside doing hateful things," she said.ĭuring the parole hearing, those who opposed Blanton's parole occupied seats reserved for inmates' relatives.įormer U.S. Rudolph, 65, pleaded the board to deny Blanton's parole. They were killed instantly while Collins' sister Sarah Collins Rudolph was seriously injured. The four victims were inside the church when the blast occurred. He was convicted of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment for the bombing. Clair prison and will be eligible for parole in five years, the board said. McNair's sister, Lisa McNair lauded the board's decision.īlanton is serving time at St. The bombing killed 14-year-olds Addie Mae Collins, Cynthia Wesley and Carole Robertson and 11-year-old Denise McNair. 15, 1963, was denied parole Wednesday due to the opposition of victims' families.īlanton has served 15 years of a life sentence as part of the group that planted dynamites outside the church, the Associated Press reported. Thomas Edwin Blanton Jr., 78, the only surviving Klansman convicted in the bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church on Sept. The Alabama Board of Pardons and Parole has denied parole to a Ku Klux Klan member serving sentence for killing four black girls in a church bombing in 1963 in Birmingham, Alabama.
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