Grand jury declines to indict Carolyn Bryant Donham, the White woman whose accusation set off Emmett Till's lynching
CBSDec 26, 2022
Grand Jury Declines to Indict Woman in Emmett Till Murder
Image copyright: Gene Herrick/AP/ABACA/Reuters [via CNN]
The Facts
A Mississippi grand jury declined to indict 87-year-old Carolyn Bryant Donham, a white woman who accused Emmett Till, a black 14-year-old, of harassing her in 1955. The allegation ultimately led to his abduction and lynching.
In a Tues. news release, Leflore County DA Dewayne Richardson announced that, after hearing more than seven hours of testimony from investigators and witnesses, the grand jury last week determined that there was insufficient evidence to indict Donham.
The Spin
Left narrative
The fact that Donham, after nearly 70 years, has still not been held accountable for her lies is a disgrace. Though she may be old, she was able to live out her entire life with freedom, unlike Emmett Till, whose life was taken from him when he was only 14 years old. This is just another example of how systemic anti-black systems persist in America.
Right narrative
Justice has been done. The DOJ investigated every element and found that Donham did not lie about the original case. The statute of limitations has also run out on all potential federal crimes that could apply to Till's abduction. Although Till's death was a horrific injustice, there is no legal or just way Donham could have been charged over the terrible events surrounding it.