Customer Reviews

Never Too Late : A Prosecutor's Story of Justice in the Medgar Evars Case

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Medgar Evers was an American Hero. A young, articulate African American man, he had the courage to be head of the NAACP in Mississippi during the darkest days of the Civil Rights Movement. He was shot in the back in his driveway by an avowed "rabid racist" named Byron de la Beckwith.

Beckwith was tried twice for the crime; each time the jury was hung.

A quarter of a century later, an intrepid reporter named Jerry Mitchell of the Jackson Clarion-Ledger shook Mississippi to the core when he uncovered new evidence that pointed to Beckwith's guilt. Myrlie Evers, an amazing woman who was widowed by Beckwith's bullet, took that evidence to the Hinds County District Attorney's Office and asked that the case be reopened.

At first, the DA was sympathetic but skeptical. Then a brilliant Assistant District Attorney, Bobby DeLaughter, began investigating the possibility of indicting Beckwith.

This is the true story of DeLaughter's dogged, relentless search for justice. The story was partly told in the film "Ghosts of Mississippi" in which DeLaughter was played by Alec Baldwin. However, DeLaughter's real life account of the trial is far more captivating, amazing and, ultimately satisfying than the movie's version.

This book has the passion and riveting surprises of the best of Grisham or Turow, combined with the emotional impact of "Eyes On The Prize" and "The Long Walk Home." DeLaughter, a fluid and powerful writer, takes us deep into the heart of evil as he investigates a powerful Klansman.

In the end, this book is a triumphant and uplifting reminder of how the legal system can still bring justice.

Highest Recommendation.

I had been interested by the story of Medgar Evers and the difficulty the state had in prosecuting his alleged killer for some time. When the State of Mississippi reopened the case for a potential third attempt at prosecution I was hopeful that some sense of justice might be achieved but not at all convinced that the then alleged killer would be found guilty of Medgar Evers' murder. Bobby De Laughter has written an insightful, thoughtful and intriguing book. As I read his account of the various threads of the story, the leads the DA's office had to develop to prosecute this case after so many years and the elements of good fortune that allowed this case to be pursued successfully I could not help but feel the presence of Medgar Evers. The goodness of the man and his persistent quest for justice is echoed in the actions of Mr. De Laughter, Ms. Myrlie Evers, the many dogged investigators and committed professionals who played their part in making the third trial come together.

This is a great read, so compelling I could not put it down. In many ways this book reads like a mystery. So much of what was needed to prepare the case against Byron De La Beckwith was lost during the long period between the killing and the final trial. Twice shut out, the stakes couldn't have been higher for the prosecution in this third outing. The book is no less suspenseful because the verdict is known. Although an intensely personal account, Mr. DeLaughter clearly and consicely explains the legal hurdles the prosecution faced and incisively analyzes the behavior and motivations of the defendant. Mr. De Laughter is widely descibed as very private, but in his writing he and his experience are so accessible the reader feels as if s/he is there every step of the way. This is an intelligent and inspiring work that should not be missed.

4389 Never Too Late A Prosecutor's Story of Justice in the Medgar Evers Case, by Bobby DeLaughter (read 29 Nov 2007) This book by the prosecutor of Byron De La Beckwith was the highlight of my November reading, and one of the highlights of my reading so far this year. Beckwith murdered Medgar Evans on June 12, 1963 in Jackson, Mississippi and was tried twice in 1964 but the jury hung each time. DeLaughter prosecuted him again--since he was never acquitted he could be tried again.The book tells all of the things which went into the successful prosecution, and the fact that there were blacks on the jury this time does not seem to have been the key factor in the result. DeLaughter sets out in full his closing argument to the jury and it does deserve to be ranked as one of the great closing arguments of the century. This was an excellent and poignant book,

If you already have a copy of the book and DVD entitled Ghosts of Mississippi you would be remiss if you didn't add Never Too Late by lead prosecutor Bobby Delaughter in the prosecution of domestic terrorist Byron De La Beckwith in the July 12, 1963, murder of civil rights activist Medgar Evers to your library. I found the book to be a riveting read, and hard to put down especially since the author was directly involved in the case. Vivid words paint a clear picture of the irrational hate exhibited by "Delay" as he plotted his dastardly dark deed, and then proudly boasted how he avoided conviction from two hung juries in past trials.

We agonize with the author as he experiences numerous frustrations in the postponement of the terrorist's trial. The courtroom drama in this case is intense, and we receive an education in what the defense and prosecution look for in choosing a jury. Some potential jurors give all sorts of reasons for their inability to serve. One individual in this case stated he had to watch over his neighbor's cows. Another was only too happy to serve since he was unemployed, and could use the forty dollars a day he would earn as a juror.

Author and prosecutor Delaughter pores out his emotions to the jury with an impassioned summation that makes them feel how victim Evers was violated by being shot in the back in his own driveway as his wife and three children awaited in his home. We feel the agony prosecutor Delaughter experiences waiting for a verdict to be reached. The longer the jury was out the more he couldn't understand what could possibly be the hang-up in reaching a guilty verdict. This book is courtroom drama at its best probably because it is coming from an attorney with first hand experience.

The book and DVD entitled Ghosts of Mississippi are both in my library, and I am happy to now add this book Never Too Late as an important addition to my library.

Well written and engaging! DeLaughter does a great job of laying out the facts and legal actions of the case without losing the narrative of the story. I would recommend this book not only to those in the legal field but mystery and detective enthusiasts as well.