John William King's execution is set for 6:00 PM this evening, April 24, 2019.

You may not know the name John William King, or Bill King, but if you're from East Texas, chances are pretty good that you know what he is infamous for. King is one of three white men that were convicted of dragging a black man to death in Jasper almost 21 years ago, on June 7, 1998.

King and two others allegedly chained James Byrd Jr. to the back of a truck and then proceeded to drag him for several miles, which resulted in his death. King and Lawrence Brewer were sentenced to death for the crime, while the third man, Shawn Berry received a sentence of life in prison. Brewer was executed in 2011, and as I mentioned earlier, King's execution is set for this evening in Huntsville.

I would've been three years old at the time this crime took place. I don't remember precise details, and the things I do remember from it are pretty fuzzy. However, I do remember conversations regarding it were so intense. And, as I grew up in this area, learning about how it put Jasper - and really ALL of East Texas - on the map was inevitable. For a time, the entire country was focused on our little part of the world.

Do you remember all this? Let us know in the comments below!

 

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