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As The New York Times notes, the case "took 38 years to bring to trial, [but] a Birmingham jury of eight whites and four blacks spent barely two hours in deliberations today before convicting." The Los Angeles Times notes that the jury forewoman "sobbed throughout her reading of the four guilty verdicts."

Blanton is the second of the four former Ku Klux Klansmen named as suspects back in 1963 to be tried in the deadliest attack of the civil-rights movement. But so far, only Robert "Dynamite Bob" Chambliss had been convicted. He died in prison in 1985. Herman Cash, another suspect, has died, and Bobby Frank Cherry was ruled incompetent to stand trial.

"We are very, very grateful for the jury's verdict," USA Today quotes U.S. Attorney Doug Jones as saying. "Justice delayed is still justice, and we've got it here tonight."

Other stories about crime:

• Church attackers face additional charges | St. Lucia priest dies from burns, leading to another murder charge (St Vincent Herald)
• Couple prayed as neighbor whispered threats | A man who conducted a hate campaign against his neighbors, following them to church and whispering threats to them while they prayed, has been banned from any form of communication with them for life. (The Times, London)
• Church can't save granny from speeding fine | 71-year-old was doing 171 km/h (107 mph) because she was late for worship. (The Independent, Johannesburg)
• Thief takes coins, leaves Bible verse | Someone broke into a home in the Town of Erin Tuesday, stole about $30 in coins from two children's coin bottles, pilfered some adhesive bandages and left a Bible verse in apparent apology: "Forgive them father for they know not what they do." (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
• Woman held in theft of church's statue of Jesus | Authorities say 44-year-old homeless woman may have taken it believing it would protect her. (Los Angeles Times)

More than Isidore
It seemed rather settled that the Vatican would name Isidore of Seville patron saint of the Internet. Now comes word that the sixth-century Spanish bishop and etymologist may not be alone. News service Ananova reports that Titus Brandsma, a Carmelite professor of philosophy and the history of spirituality executed by the Nazis in 1942 because of his promotion of a free press, is also being considered. The Vatican is also reportedly considering a patron saint of the media in general.

More articles about Catholicism:

• Pope maps out moral battle | Cardinals asked to ponder seven key questions on the future of the Roman Catholic Church ahead of a gathering expected to offer a foretaste of the battle between conservatives and liberals at the next conclave to choose his successor. (The Times, London)
• New stock fund to invest according to Catholic values | Ave Maria Catholic Values Fund excludes companies involved in abortion, pornography—and has big names on its board. (Reuters)
• Over 250 Roman Catholic Church followers scared away | Tanzanian parishioners stop attending services after two catechists died in circumstances linked to witchcraft. (TOMRIC Agency, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania)

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April (Web-only) 2001, Vol. 45