Other civil rights-era cases have been revived by prosecutors in recent years. Blanton is the second former Klan member put on trial in the bombing of the church, a downtown rallying site for civil rights protesters. Another former Klansman, Bobby Frank Cherry, was indicted last year but his trial was delayed after evaluations raised questions about his mental competency. A fourth suspect, Herman Cash, died without being charged. The bombing came during white backlash to desegregation, including a series of dynamite bombings of black homes in Birmingham.
Many residents remain defensive of the city's reputation from that era.
Jones, who prosecuted the case in state court under a special arrangement, touched on the fact in his closing statement. All Rights Reserved.