Tours
Freedom Summer Tragedy
The Medical Center was thrust into the international spotlight in August 1964 when the bodies of civil rights workers James Chaney, Michael Schwerner, and Andrew Goodman arrived at the hospital for autopsies. The young men had been missing from Neshoba County for six weeks. An anonymous tip led the Federal Bureau of Investigation to the location of their remains not far from where their burned-out station wagon had been discovered. This incident, as well as the work of thousands of Freedom Summer volunteers, brought renewed attention to discriminatory voting practices common throughout the South. As a result, national support swelled for federal legislation prohibiting racial discrimination in voting.
In the 2021 article "Doctor vs. Doctor: An Examination of The Feud Over A Civil Rights Era Autopsy" by Lindon Ratliff, Ph.D., she examines the conflicting autopsies of James Chaney, one of the three victims of the 1964 Mississippi Burning murders during the Civil Rights Movement.
Historical Context
Mississippi in 1964 was rife with racial tension, leading to the murders of three civil rights workers—James Chaney, Michael Schwerner, and Andrew Goodman—by the Ku Klux Klan. The murders became pivotal in the civil rights struggle and led to a massive FBI investigation.
Autopsy Dispute
After the bodies were discovered, Dr. William Featherston, a coroner, conducted the first autopsy at UMMC, determining that the men were shot, with Chaney’s injuries being attributed to gunshots. Dr. David Spain, however, in a second autopsy, suggested Chaney had been severely beaten in addition to being shot, leading to accusations that Featherston’s report downplayed the brutality.
Featherston vs. Spain
Ratliff delves into the professional conflict between Dr. Featherston and Dr. Spain, highlighting how their differing conclusions shaped public perception of the case. Featherston's original report omitted any signs of a severe beating, while Spain’s findings suggested Chaney had suffered extreme blunt force trauma, possibly before being shot.
Impact on Historical Record
The conflicting autopsies have blurred the historical understanding of the murders. Subsequent investigations, including forensic reviews decades later, debated whether Chaney had been beaten or if the burial process caused some of his injuries.
Consequences
The medical dispute contributed to historical inaccuracies and intensified public outrage over the murders. Despite the autopsy controversies, the case remains a significant moment in civil rights history.