Law: Racist's Victory

The Jordan case is closed

Joseph Paul Franklin, 32, rarely has much to smile about. The self-proclaimed racist lives in virtual solitary confinement at the federal penitentiary in Marion, Ill., serving life terms for the 1980 slaying of two black joggers in Salt Lake City. Earlier this year, he says, he was stabbed 15 times by six black prisoners. But last week in a federal courtroom in South Bend, Ind., Franklin smiled at jurors and flashed a V-for-victory sign. They had just found him not guilty of violating the civil rights of former National Urban League President Vernon Jordan, who was wounded...

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