Edgar Ray Killen Source: MDOCJACKSON, MS (Mississippi News Now) -
The attorney for reputed Mississippi Ku Klux Klansman Edgar Ray Killen is disputing claims that his client signed over power of attorney documents and land ownership to his former cellmate.
James Stern, a black man, who spent nearly a year and a half inside a Parchman jail cell with Killen claims the controversial figure not only deeded over 40 acres of land in Neshoba County, but also gave him the rights to a potential book and movie deal.
In 2005, Killen was convicted of manslaughter in the 1964 murders of three civil rights workers and sentenced to 60 years. As his cellmate, Stern says Killen confessed to 32 additional murders which he was directly responsible for.
Killen's attorney, Rob Ratliff of Mobile says Killen is an elderly man who is a target for manipulation.
"I knew immediately that Mr. Killen had advised me that he had never authorized or signed any of those documents" said Ratliff. "This is not the first allegation of this type from other inmates that were incarcerated with Mr. Killen. There are a lot of people that think they can profit from an association with Mr. Killen or Mr. Killen's name or reputation."
Ratliff says he does plan to take legal action against Stern once the claims are fully reviewed.
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