A new, volunteer, coalition will revisit Civil Rights era crimes that happened across the state of Tennessee. Their findings could even mean prosecution in some decades old cases.
"If there are people who committed crimes back in the 50's, 60's, 70's who weren't prosecuted because they were protected perhaps by the politics of the day, we want those cases, if there's credible evidence, to be prosecuted and brought to justice," said Nashville attorney Alex Little.
Little chairs the group called the Tennessee Historical Justice Coalition. More than 100 volunteers made up of attorneys, law students, clergy, and educators are part of the group.
Their goal is not just to pursue possible litigation, but to recognize victims and their families who have not received justice in decades old cases.
Little said much of the work will include compiling research that others have already collected. But some volunteers will also hit the streets in an effort to talk to people to identify unsolved or unreported crimes.
Finally, the group will also provide lawmakers with a list of recommendations.
The coalition hopes to have a report for lawmakers by the end of this year.
