AP
An unidentified Madison County Sheriff's Department deputy escorts reputed Ku Klux Klansman James Ford Seale to the federal courthouse, yesterday, in Jackson, Miss., for sentencing in the deadly abductions of two black teenagers in 1964.

JACKSON, Mississippi (AP):

A reputed Ku Klux Klansman was sentenced yesterday to three life terms in prison for his role in the 1964 abduction and murder of two black teenagers in south-west Mississippi.

James Ford Seale, 72, was convicted in June on federal charges of kidnapping and conspiracy in the deaths of Charles Moore and Henry Hezekiah Dee, two 19-year-olds who disappeared on May 2, 1964. The young men's bodies were found two months later in the Mississippi River.

Seale showed no emotion as Judge Henry T. Wingate read his sentence.

Reviewing cases

United States prosecutors have been taking another look at a number of stalled cases from the civil rights era. Prosecutors revived this case in 2005, largely at the urging of Moore's brother, Thomas, who researched the crime.

Wingate told Seale the crimes committed 43 years ago were "horrific" and "justice itself is ageless." He denied a defence motion to allow Seale to be 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, Louisiana.

Prepared statement

Thomas Moore 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 it meant by love of your fellow man."

Both of them stood about 10 feet (three metres) from Seale, but he never made eye contact with them.