The Untold Story of Justice and Injustice in the Emmett Till Murder Trial with Ronald Collins
In this compelling episode of That Said with Michael Zeldin, we delve into the harrowing story of one of America's darkest moments of injustice: the murder trial of Emmett Till. Michael is joined by renowned legal scholar and author Ronald Collins to discuss his groundbreaking new book, Tragedy on Trial: The Story of the Infamous Emmett Till Murder Trial. This meticulously researched work brings to light the shocking manipulations of justice that defined the 1955 trial of Till's murderers.
Through vivid storytelling and a trove of historical evidence—including photographs and an introduction by Lonnie G. Bunch III, Secretary of the Smithsonian—Collins presents a narrative that lays bare the systemic racism and corruption that led to the acquittal of Till's killers. The book uncovers disturbing details of the trial, including:
A sheriff who orchestrated a biased investigation to protect the defendants.
A conflicted county attorney who manipulated the jury selection process.
A strategic decision to avoid charging the defendants with kidnapping.
Defense attorneys who exploited and fueled racial hatred in their arguments.
The lies of a White woman whose false accusations condemned Till.
Black witnesses for the prosecution who were secretly detained to prevent their testimony.
Dubious "expert" witnesses who bolstered the defense's case with falsehoods.
Closing arguments that appealed explicitly to the jury’s racial prejudices.
Collins also explores the bravery of Mamie Till, Emmett’s mother, whose determination to seek justice galvanized the civil rights movement, and corrects long-held inaccuracies about the trial perpetuated by mainstream narratives, including a widely read Look magazine article from 1956.
About Ronald Collins: A Legacy in Legal Scholarship
Ronald Collins is a distinguished legal scholar with a career spanning decades. A retired Harold S. Shefelman Scholar at the University of Washington School of Law, he has made significant contributions to constitutional law and First Amendment scholarship. His career includes roles as a law clerk for Justice Hans A. Linde of the Oregon Supreme Court, a Supreme Court Fellow under Chief Justice Warren Burger, and a scholar at the Newseum’s First Amendment Center in Washington, D.C.
Collins is the author or co-author of numerous acclaimed books on law and free speech, including The Death of Discourse, The Trials of Lenny Bruce: The Fall & Rise of an American Icon, and Robotica: Speech Rights & Artificial Intelligence. He also serves as the book editor for SCOTUSblog and the founder of The First Amendment Salons.
This episode promises to be an insightful and thought-provoking conversation, offering listeners a chance to uncover the truth behind one of the most infamous trials in American history. Join Michael Zeldin as he and Ronald Collins delve into the systemic failures that allowed injustice to prevail—and the courageous individuals who fought to expose it.
Don’t miss this powerful exploration of history, justice, and the enduring fight for truth.
