3 Life Terms Handed Down in '64 Killings

A Madison County Sheriff's Department deputy, right, escorts reputed Ku Klux Klansman James Ford Seale to the federal courthouse, Friday, Aug. 24, 2007, in Jackson, Miss., for sentencing in the deadly abductions of two black teenagers in 1964. Seale, 72, faces up to life for the June 14 convictions on kidnapping and conspiracy charges. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis) (Rogelio V. Solis - AP)

JACKSON, Miss. -- Reputed Ku Klux Klansman James Ford Seale showed no emotion Friday as he was sentenced to three life terms in prison for his role in the segregation-era abduction and killing of two black teenagers.

Seale, 72, was convicted June 14 on federal charges of kidnapping and conspiracy in the deaths of Charles Eddie Moore and Henry Hezekiah Dee, two 19-year-olds who disappeared May 2, 1964. Seale and other Klansman beat them, then dumped them into the Mississippi River still alive, according to testimony.

The young men's decomposing bodies, mostly just skeletal remains, were found more than two months later in a river backwater. No one was ever convicted in the case _ until now.

U.S. District Judge Henry T. Wingate told Seale the crimes for which he was convicted were "horrific" and "unspeakable." Though the crimes occurred 43 years ago, "justice itself is ageless," Wingate said.

The judge denied a defense request to allow Seale go free on bond while his case is appealed; federal public defender Kathy Nester filed a notice of appeal.

"Mr. Seale maintains his innocence to this crime," Nester said.

During the hearing, one of Dee's sisters and Moore's brother talked about how the violent deaths affected them and their families.

"I don't have no hate in my heart, but I'm happy for justice," said Dee's sister Thelma Collins of Springfield, La.

Thomas Moore of Colorado Springs, Colo., read from a prepared statement directed at Seale.

"I hope you perhaps spend the rest of your natural life in prison thinking of what you did to Charles Moore and Henry Dee and how you ran for a long time but you got caught," he said. "I hope the spirit of Charles and Henry come to your cell every night and visit with you to teach you what is meant by love of your fellow man."

Both of the relatives stood about 10 feet from Seale, but he never made eye contact with them.

Asked by Wingate whether he had anything to say, Seale _ who wore an orange jail jumpsuit and was shackled at his waist, wrists and ankles _ stood, shook his head and said, "No."