Willie Brewster was gunned down in 1965, not for money, but because of the color of his skin.
During a time of racial tension and integration efforts, Brewster's death united both black and white in the Anniston area.
Jones said Gary Sprayberry, assistant professor of history at Miles College in Birmingham, wrote a book about the incident, saying the incident spurred changed in Anniston during the civil rights era.
"It made a big change," said Jones, who was Brewster's sister-in-law.
Brewster was married to Jones' older sister.
Brewster, a father of two, was shot and killed by Damon Strange as he drove home from work with friends. The murder was racially motivated.
"I remember Dr. (Martin Luther) King called my mama's house and told her he was going to attend his funeral, but the pastor (of the church) was scared that the church would be bombed."
Strange was later convicted of Brewster's murder.
"He was the first white man to be convicted by an all white jury for the murder of a black man (in Alabama)," Jones said.
David Atchison
02-18-2006 editor for The Daily Home - Alabama
During a time of racial tension and integration efforts, Brewster's death united both black and white in the Anniston area.
Jones said Gary Sprayberry, assistant professor of history at Miles College in Birmingham, wrote a book about the incident, saying the incident spurred changed in Anniston during the civil rights era.
"It made a big change," said Jones, who was Brewster's sister-in-law.
Brewster was married to Jones' older sister.
Brewster, a father of two, was shot and killed by Damon Strange as he drove home from work with friends. The murder was racially motivated.
"I remember Dr. (Martin Luther) King called my mama's house and told her he was going to attend his funeral, but the pastor (of the church) was scared that the church would be bombed."
Strange was later convicted of Brewster's murder.
"He was the first white man to be convicted by an all white jury for the murder of a black man (in Alabama)," Jones said.
David Atchison
02-18-2006 editor for The Daily Home - Alabama
Willie Brewster was gunned down in 1965, not for money, but because of the color of his skin.
During a time of racial tension and integration efforts, Brewster's death united both black and white in the Anniston area.
Jones said Gary Sprayberry, assistant professor of history at Miles College in Birmingham, wrote a book about the incident, saying the incident spurred changed in Anniston during the civil rights era.
"It made a big change," said Jones, who was Brewster's sister-in-law.
Brewster was married to Jones' older sister.
Brewster, a father of two, was shot and killed by Damon Strange as he drove home from work with friends. The murder was racially motivated.
"I remember Dr. (Martin Luther) King called my mama's house and told her he was going to attend his funeral, but the pastor (of the church) was scared that the church would be bombed."
Strange was later convicted of Brewster's murder.
"He was the first white man to be convicted by an all white jury for the murder of a black man (in Alabama)," Jones said.
David Atchison
02-18-2006 editor for The Daily Home - Alabama
During a time of racial tension and integration efforts, Brewster's death united both black and white in the Anniston area.
Jones said Gary Sprayberry, assistant professor of history at Miles College in Birmingham, wrote a book about the incident, saying the incident spurred changed in Anniston during the civil rights era.
"It made a big change," said Jones, who was Brewster's sister-in-law.
Brewster was married to Jones' older sister.
Brewster, a father of two, was shot and killed by Damon Strange as he drove home from work with friends. The murder was racially motivated.
"I remember Dr. (Martin Luther) King called my mama's house and told her he was going to attend his funeral, but the pastor (of the church) was scared that the church would be bombed."
Strange was later convicted of Brewster's murder.
"He was the first white man to be convicted by an all white jury for the murder of a black man (in Alabama)," Jones said.
David Atchison
02-18-2006 editor for The Daily Home - Alabama
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