Creator: Attorney General (RG 48)

Collection Summary:  Materials documenting the murders of civil rights workers James Chaney, Andrew Goodman, and Michael Schwerner in Neshoba County, Mississippi in June 1964. The materials were gathered and compiled by the Mississippi Attorney General’s office in its 2004 re-opening of the Mississippi Burning (MIBURN) case and investigation, which culminated in the June 2005 trial and conviction of Edgar Ray Killen. Series 2903 consists of photographic prints from the 1960s and video tapes from the late 1990s and early 2000s. Researchers should also consult Series 2870:  Attorney General Research Files and Series 2902: FBI Memoranda.

Access Restrictions: Arrangements must be made with an Image & Sound Archivist to determine availability of equipment for viewing and/or duplication of any materials in this series.

Date(s): 1964-2000.

Volume: 2.0 Cubic Feet.

Finding Aid Created By: Shaun Stalzer in August 2024.

Related Materials: See also:
     Series 2902: “Mississippi Burning:” FBI Memoranda. 1964-1965.
     Series 2870:  “Mississippi Burning:” Attorney General Research Files. 1964-2007. 

Record Group History: The office of attorney general was established in the first state constitution of 1817. Subsequent state constitutions mirrored the first in the creation and mode of election for the office. The Attorney General is charged with the duties of being the chief legal officer and advisor for the state, both civil and criminal, and is charged with managing all litigation on behalf of the state. No arm of agency of the state government can bring or defend a suit against another such arm or agency without prior written approval of the attorney general.  The present divisions and sections of the attorney general's office include: civil and criminal litigation, opinion processing, governmental affairs, white collar crime, and public advocacy, which consists of consumer protection, Medicaid fraud control, child protection, and environmental protection.

Collection Inventory:
Box Content 

Box Number

Box 34572 
Neshoba Co Jail Ticket Books34572
Federal Grand Jury. Biloxi, MS. 9-24-6434572
Begin Re-photograph. Exhibit # 134572
Exhibit # 234572
Exhibit # 3 Jail Receipts34572
Jail Docket – 195934572
Box 34573 
Aerial Photos of Burial Site34573
Aerial Photos of Neshoba County34573
Aerial Photos of Neshoba County34573
Autopsy34573
Burial Site34573
Burned Car at Garage34573
Burned Car at Site34573
Box 34574 
Chevrolet Belair34574
Exhumation of Bodies34574
Ford Fairlane34574
Killen34574
Killen’s Home34574
Map of Neshoba County34574
Mt. Zion Church34574
Navy Photos34574
Neshoba County Jail34574
Road Leading to Burial Site34574
Unlabeled Folder34574
Victims34574
Video Cassettes: 
WLBT Newsfilm Collection, Tapes 1 & 2. (MP 1980.1)34570
Crimes of the Klan/ Pride & the Fall/Nail Fils (Kurtis Production, Ltd.)34570
ABC News Turning Point (circa 1994)34570
ABC News 20/20 – Civil Rights Murders (June 14, 2000)34570
ABC News 20/20 (November 29, 1999)34570
CNN – “Philly”34570