DOJ Investigating Mississippi Delta Incident; Good Timing for Emmett Till Blog Book

Justice Dept. probes manhunt in Mississippi Delta
Associated Press - August 27, 2009 12:14 PM ET

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) - The chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee says the U.S. Justice Department is investigating an incident in the Mississippi Delta in which he was told a mostly white group used weapons and "vigilante" techniques to search for a black burglary suspect.

Democratic U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson represents Tallahatchie County, where witnesses say the manhunt occurred last week. It's near where black teenager Emmett Till was lynched in 1955.

Thompson says Justice officials confirmed they're investigating.

William Pittman, who is black, was charged Aug. 20 with breaking and entering a home. There's no indication he was injured.

His father, attorney Ellis Pittman, said his son's life was threatened by Tallahatchie County Prosecuting Attorney John Whitten.

Whitten, who is white, said he did nothing wrong in helping search for William Pittman.

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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Hope we can get some activity going on this. ;;>)