James Bonard Fowler Surrenders in 1965 Shooting Case

Former Alabama trooper, James Bonard Fowler, surrendered Thursday to a murder charge in the 1965 death of Jimmie Lee Jackson This shooting occurred during a civil rights protest. This killing is believed to have caused the "Bloody Sunday" protest at Selma and eventually the ratification of the Voting Rights Act.

The shooting of Jimmie Lee Jackson occurred at Mack's Cafe, where many people had gone after officers had broken up a civil rights protest on Feb. 18, 1965. . Witnesses claim that Jackson was trying to help his mother and 82 year old grandfather when he was shoot twice.

Fowler,73, claims the killing was self-defense after a fight over the gun. According to troopers present the night of the shooting, the crowd was disobeying orders to leave. Suddenly, the lights were out and they began getting hit by bricks and bottles. According to Fowler, he was helping a fellow trooper when Jackson assaulted him with a bottle. Fowler claims that Jackson provoked him by trying to take the gun from his holster. According to Fowler's lawyer, George Beck, "He was up here quelling a disturbance and someone was killed. It's very unfortunate but it's certainly not murder. Under no circumstances could it be intentional murder or murder. The shooting was justified and the evidence will show this."

This is not the only report of violence during Fowler's tenure as a trooper. Fowler killed a prisoner in 1966, when the prisoner began striking him with Fowler's club. He is also accused of striking his trooper supervisor in 1968.

Fowler has been charged with with intentional or first-degree, and unintentional or second-degree murder in the fatal shooting. Since he is charged with both offenses, a jury could pick either one during his trial. Both charges carry a maximum sentence of life in jail. Fowler is free on $250,000 property posted by Joe Wells and Mickey Baine .

Doug Jones, the former U.S. attorney, stated that the Jimmie Lee Jackson case hinges on intent."This is not a random act of racially motivated crime. This is law enforcement," he said. "It's never been a question of who shot Jimmie Lee Jackson. It's under what circumstances, and whether there was criminal intent."

Carlton Hogue, a cousin of Jackson, was there to witness Fowler being booked and came in to see his surrender.

Hogue said, " I was here today to stand for Jimmie Lee, my family and for justice. All I am looking for is the trial to take place, and I harbor no hopes other than the truth will come out in court."

Ex-state trooper surrenders in 1965 Ala. Slaying,http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18574158/ associated press 5/10/2007

Mullinax , Kennneth Ex-trooper surrenders in 1965 slaying http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2007705110326, Montgomery Advertiser. 5/11/2007