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American Morning

Former Klansman Convicted Of Murder In '63 Church Bombing

Aired May 02, 2001 - 09:01   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: We start in Birmingham with Brian Cabell.

Brian, good morning.

BRIAN CABELL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Daryn.

This is probably not yet the final chapter in this story. The defense attorney for Tom Blanton says he'll be appealing this case on a number of grounds. First of all, he doesn't think that secret audiotapes that were allowed into evidence should have been allowed into evidence in this case. Second, he wanted to change a venue. He never thought Birmingham would give his client a fair trial.

And third, he doesn't think the composition of the jury was fair. It did not contain any white men. He's now in jail this morning with his client discussing these very issues.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

(voice-over): His attorney described Tom Blanton as a young man, as a racist, a womanizer, a drunk and a loudmouth. Now he's a convicted bomber.

JOHN ROBBINS, ATTORNEY FOR THOMAS BLANTON: I'm not surprised at this verdict. I guess I was -- in the back of my mind I was probably expecting it, because of where we were. And just -- the raw emotion of this case is just -- is incredible.

CABELL: It was a case that shocked the nation back in 1963. Four girls were killed when a bomb exploded at their church as they were preparing for a service. One man was convicted in the case in 1977, but other suspects, including Blanton, went uncharged until recently.

It was a tough case for prosecutors to revive after almost 38 years.

DOUG JONES, PROSECUTING ATTORNEY: I had no trepidation. It needed to be examined. It needed to be looked at. This community and these families deserved a last look at this evidence.

CABELL: That last look resulted in a conviction. And now 62- year-old Tom Blanton, a former Klansman, faces the likelihood of spending the rest of his life in prison.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CABELL: There is one other suspected bomber out there who has not been tried yet. Bobby Frank Cherry is his name. But he was recently ruled mentally incompetent to stand trial. It will be up to a judge to decide whether he'll ever stand trial -- back to you, Daryn.

KAGAN: Brian, the end of this came so quickly. First, the verdict came in mere hours. And then, why was Blanton sentenced right away?

CABELL: It was a mandatory sentence for him. He was sentenced in court. That was required by law -- a mandatory sentence. He was convicted of first-degree murder -- very simple.

KAGAN: Brian Cabell, in Birmingham, Alabama -- Brian, thank you.

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