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The Macedonia Baptist Church is a centuries-old historically black church located in rural Clarendon County, South Carolina. It was destroyed by arsonists following direction from the local Ku Klux Klan chapter known as the Christian Knights of the Ku Klux Klan and was later rebuilt. Four Klansmen were convicted for the crime, and a subsequent civil suit effectively closed the Klan chapter's operation in the county. The successful civil suit was called a "wake-up call" indicating that racial violence would not be tolerated.^[1]

Background

In 1994 the Christian Knights of the Ku Klux Klan (a South Carolina branch of the Ku Klux Klan) set up headquarters in a field near the church, proclaiming that black churches taught their congregations how to manipulate the welfare system and procure government subsidies. The church congregation could hear the Klan's sermons blaring from the building next door on megaphones.^[2]

Arson and investigation

On June 21, 1995, Timothy Adron Welch and Gary Christopher Cox of the Christian Knights of the Ku Klux Klan poured gasoline on the floor of the Macedonian Baptist Church and set it on fire. The church was one of several rural black churches burned by arsonists in the mid-1990s. The crimes prompted president Bill Clinton to visit South Carolina in 1996 and pledge federal help in investigating the crimes.^[3] Due to the possibility that the arson violated federal civil rights hate crime laws, the arson case was investigated by the FBI.^[4]

Welch and Cox were apprehended in connection to a stabbing assault on a black man on June 16. The two were charged with assault and battery with intent to kill, first-degree arson, and second-degree burglary of the Mount Zion AME Church in Greeleyville, SC.^[4]

Trials

Criminal trial

Welch, Cox, and two older accomplices, Arthur Haley and Hubert Rowell were indicted on several charges of civil rights violations involving the burning of the Macedonian Baptist Church and other racially charged crimes. Haley and Rowell were also charged with burning a Hispanic migrant camp in Manning, SC, burning a car of a black Manning resident, and illegally possessing firearms. The federal indictment said that Haley selected the Macedonian Baptist Church as the arson target and Rowell instructed Cox and Welch on how to set the fire.^[5] All four defendants pleaded guilty to the charges. They received federal prison sentences ranging from 12 to 21.5 years.^[6]

James E. Johnson and Isabelle Katz Pinzler, co-chairs of the National Church Arson Task Force commended the work of officials and investigators in the case. Rene Josey, U.S. attorney for the District of South Carolina, said "Today's sentences should serve as a wake-up call to those individuals who may consider the unlawful use of force and violence to intimidate persons based on their race and religious beliefs."^[1]

The sentences for Cox and Welch were reduced to 12 years in prison for testifying in the civil suit against the Klan.^[2]

Civil suit

A subsequent civil case trial was held in 1998 with the charges that the Ku Klux Klan incited the crime. The case was brought to court by the Southern Poverty Law Center, represented by attorney Morris Dees.^[6] The lawyer for the Klan insisted that the criminals acted alone in burning down the church. Defense attorney Gary White painted the Klan Grand Dragon Horace King as a feeble old man merely exercising his right to free speech, saying King never authorized the arson. During the trial, the Church's lawyers showed racist Klan posters and literature and played a videotape for the jury showing King speaking at a Klan rally, saying "It's time, people, to wake up and shape up and say this is our country, white people, take it back." The Klan leaders insisted that they never encouraged anyone to break the law, but two of the sentenced arsonists testified against their case. Welch testified, "The church fire was Klan business, and we were told we would not go to jail. We were convinced we were untouchable."^[7] Both Welch and Cox said that they testified against the Klan to atone for what they'd done.^[3]

The case was decided by nine black and three white jurors.^[8] On July 24, 1998, the jury deliberated for just 45 minutes before it returned a decision that the Ku Klux Klan must pay $37.8 million, $12.6 million more than even lawyers for the church requested. The verdict included $300,000 in actual damages and $37.5 million in punitive damages.^[6]^[9] King was ordered to pay $15 million,^[6] as was the Christian Knights of the Ku Klux Klan Inc. of North Carolina. The Christian Knights' South Carolina affiliate was ordered to pay $7 million, while the four men in prison were ordered to pay $100,000 to $200,000 each.^[10] The judgement was the largest ever awarded against a hate group.^[8]^[11] The amount was later reduced to $21.5 million.^[12] King's "tiny house, a shed, a chicken coop and seven acres in rural Lexington County"^[13] were sold, and he died in the early 2000s.^{[citation needed]}

Aftermath

On the day the verdict was read, Welch's younger brother Richard stated that he blamed the Klan for changing his brother. He said he was happy with the verdict and hoped that it would be enough to keep the Klan away from their town.^[6]^[7]^[14]

The civil suit forced the Klan to surrender the land on which its headquarters were built. When the property was sold, the deed included a restriction that the land never be used for white supremacist activities. The SPLC credits this judgement with reducing "one of the most active Klan groups in the nation to a defunct organization."^[12]

After the suit, King stated publicly that he was sorry anyone ever connected with his group was involved in the arson, he refused to admit personal guilt or apologize for inciting the crime. He claimed that he would continue to fight to proclaim his innocence.^[10]

The Macedonian Baptist Church was later fully rebuilt.^[2]

Forgotten Fires, a film about the fires and subsequent trials was produced by Michael Chandler & Vivian Kleiman in 1998.^[2] The church and trials were discussed in Standing on Holy Ground, a book by Sandra E. Johnson about the spate of arsons targeting black churches in rural South Carolina.^[15]

References

^ ^a ^b "#076: 02-20-97 - Two Klansmen Receive Lengthy Sentences for Burning Two South Carolina Churches". www.justice.gov. Archived from the original on October 10, 2015. Retrieved July 21, 2016.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d "Forgotten Fires - The Story". archive.itvs.org. Independent Television Service. Archived from the original on May 13, 2016. Retrieved July 8, 2016.
^ ^a ^b MOEHRINGER, J. R. (July 25, 1998). "Church Wins $37.8 Million in KKK Suit". Los Angeles Times. ISSN 0458-3035. Archived from the original on August 18, 2016. Retrieved July 21, 2016.
^ ^a ^b Kiersek, Amy; Murphy, C.S. (June 30, 1995). "Suspects in church fires deny connections to Klan". The Sumter Item. Retrieved July 21, 2016.
^ Holl, Jesse (17 August 1996). "2 Accused of Masterminding Church Burning". Washington Post. Archived from the original on 22 August 2016. Retrieved 21 July 2016.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e "Klan ordered to pay for inciting church burning" (PDF). Laredo Morning Times. July 24, 1998. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 4, 2016. Retrieved July 7, 2016.
^ ^a ^b Smith, Bruce (July 25, 1998). "Jury ties Klan to church fire". Eugene Register-Guard. Retrieved July 21, 2016.
^ ^a ^b "Klan Ordered To Pay Black Church $37.8m". Philly.com. Philadelphia Media Network. 25 July 1998. Archived from the original on 17 August 2016. Retrieved 19 July 2016.
^ Levin, Jack; Eubank, William Lee; Weinberg, Leonard (January 1, 2006). Domestic Terrorism. Infobase Publishing. ISBN 9781438107189.
^ ^a ^b "Klan leader is sorry black church burned". chronicle.augusta.com. 6 August 1998. Archived from the original on 21 August 2016. Retrieved 7 July 2016.
^ "Civil Trial". archive.itvs.org. Independent Television Service. Archived from the original on July 24, 2015. Retrieved July 8, 2016.
^ ^a ^b "Macedonia v. Christian Knights of the Ku Klux Klan". Southern Poverty Law Center. Archived from the original on August 19, 2016. Retrieved July 7, 2016.
^ "Klan leader is sorry black church burned | chronicle.augusta.com". chronicle.augusta.com. Archived from the original on August 21, 2016. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
^ "Klan Must Pay $37 Million for Inciting Church Fire". The New York Times. July 25, 1998. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on August 19, 2016. Retrieved July 19, 2016.
^ Smith, W. Thomas (June 6, 2002). "'Holy Ground' details town's fight against hate". usatoday30.usatoday.com. USA Today. Retrieved July 21, 2016.

[:8-1] "#076: 02-20-97 - Two Klansmen Receive Lengthy Sentences for Burning Two South Carolina Churches". www.justice.gov. Archived from the original on October 10, 2015. Retrieved July 21, 2016.

[:3-2] "Forgotten Fires - The Story". archive.itvs.org. Independent Television Service. Archived from the original on May 13, 2016. Retrieved July 8, 2016.

[:5-3] MOEHRINGER, J. R. (July 25, 1998). "Church Wins $37.8 Million in KKK Suit". Los Angeles Times. ISSN 0458-3035. Archived from the original on August 18, 2016. Retrieved July 21, 2016.

[:6-4] Kiersek, Amy; Murphy, C.S. (June 30, 1995). "Suspects in church fires deny connections to Klan". The Sumter Item. Retrieved July 21, 2016.

[5] Holl, Jesse (17 August 1996). "2 Accused of Masterminding Church Burning". Washington Post. Archived from the original on 22 August 2016. Retrieved 21 July 2016.

[:0-6] "Klan ordered to pay for inciting church burning" (PDF). Laredo Morning Times. July 24, 1998. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 4, 2016. Retrieved July 7, 2016.

[:7-7] Smith, Bruce (July 25, 1998). "Jury ties Klan to church fire". Eugene Register-Guard. Retrieved July 21, 2016.

[:4-8] "Klan Ordered To Pay Black Church $37.8m". Philly.com. Philadelphia Media Network. 25 July 1998. Archived from the original on 17 August 2016. Retrieved 19 July 2016.

[9] Levin, Jack; Eubank, William Lee; Weinberg, Leonard (January 1, 2006). Domestic Terrorism. Infobase Publishing. ISBN 9781438107189.

[:2-10] "Klan leader is sorry black church burned". chronicle.augusta.com. 6 August 1998. Archived from the original on 21 August 2016. Retrieved 7 July 2016.

[11] "Civil Trial". archive.itvs.org. Independent Television Service. Archived from the original on July 24, 2015. Retrieved July 8, 2016.

[:1-12] "Macedonia v. Christian Knights of the Ku Klux Klan". Southern Poverty Law Center. Archived from the original on August 19, 2016. Retrieved July 7, 2016.

[13] "Klan leader is sorry black church burned | chronicle.augusta.com". chronicle.augusta.com. Archived from the original on August 21, 2016. Retrieved January 13, 2022.

[14] "Klan Must Pay $37 Million for Inciting Church Fire". The New York Times. July 25, 1998. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on August 19, 2016. Retrieved July 19, 2016.

[15] Smith, W. Thomas (June 6, 2002). "'Holy Ground' details town's fight against hate". usatoday30.usatoday.com. USA Today. Retrieved July 21, 2016.

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+{{short description|Historic black church burned down by the KKK in South Carolina}}
-The '''Macedonia Baptist Church''' is a centuries-old historically black church located in rural [[Clarendon County, South Carolina]]. It was destroyed by arsonists following direction from the local [[Ku Klux Klan]] chapter and later rebuilt. Four klansmen were convicted for the crime, and a subsequent civil suit effectively closed the Klan chapter's operation in the county. The successful civil suit was called a "wake-up call" indicating that racial violence would not be tolerated.<ref name=":8">{{Cite web|url=https://www.justice.gov/archive/opa/pr/1997/February97/076cr.htm|title=#076: 02-20-97 - Two Klansmen Receive Lengthy Sentences for Burning Two South Carolina Churches|website=www.justice.gov|access-date=2016-07-21}}</ref>
+{{Use American English|date = December 2019}}
+{{Use mdy dates|date = December 2019}}
+The '''Macedonia Baptist Church''' is a centuries-old historically black church located in rural [[Clarendon County, South Carolina|Clarendon County]], South Carolina. It was destroyed by arsonists following direction from the local [[Ku Klux Klan]] chapter known as the Christian Knights of the Ku Klux Klan and was later rebuilt. Four Klansmen were convicted for the crime, and a subsequent civil suit effectively closed the Klan chapter's operation in the county. The successful civil suit was called a "wake-up call" indicating that racial violence would not be tolerated.<ref name=":8">{{Cite web|url=https://www.justice.gov/archive/opa/pr/1997/February97/076cr.htm|title=#076: 02-20-97 - Two Klansmen Receive Lengthy Sentences for Burning Two South Carolina Churches|website=www.justice.gov|access-date=2016-07-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151010082750/http://www.justice.gov/archive/opa/pr/1997/February97/076cr.htm|archive-date=2015-10-10|url-status=live}}</ref>
 == Background ==
-In 1994 the Ku Klux Klan set up headquarters in a field near the church, proclaiming that black churches taught their congregations how to manipulate the [[welfare|welfare system]] and procure [[government subsidies]]. The church congregation could hear the Klan's sermons blaring from the building next door on megaphones.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|url=http://archive.itvs.org/forgottenfires/story_a.html|title=Forgotten Fires - The Story|last=|first=|date=|website=archive.itvs.org|publisher=Independent Television Service|access-date=2016-07-08}}</ref>
+In 1994 the Christian Knights of the Ku Klux Klan (a South Carolina branch of the Ku Klux Klan) set up headquarters in a field near the church, proclaiming that black churches taught their congregations how to manipulate the [[welfare spending|welfare system]] and procure [[government subsidies]]. The church congregation could hear the Klan's sermons blaring from the building next door on megaphones.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|url=http://archive.itvs.org/forgottenfires/story_a.html|title=Forgotten Fires - The Story|website=archive.itvs.org|publisher=Independent Television Service|access-date=2016-07-08|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160513091307/http://archive.itvs.org/forgottenfires/story_a.html|archive-date=2016-05-13}}</ref>
 == Arson and investigation ==
-On June 21, 1995, Timothy Adron Welch and Gary Christopher Cox of the Christian Knights of the Ku Klux Klan poured gasoline on the floor of the Macedonian Baptist Church and set it on fire. The church was one of several rural black churches burned by arsonists in the mid-1990s. The crimes prompted president [[Bill Clinton]] to visit [[South Carolina]] in 1996 and pledge federal help in investigating the crimes.<ref name=":5">{{Cite news|url=http://articles.latimes.com/1998/jul/25/news/mn-7055|title=Church Wins $37.8 Million in KKK Suit|last=MOEHRINGER|first=J. R.|date=1998-07-25|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|language=en-US|issn=0458-3035|access-date=2016-07-21}}</ref> Due to the possibility that the arson violated federal civil rights [[Hate crime laws in the United States|hate crime]] laws, the arson case was investigated by the [[Federal Bureau of Investigation|FBI]].<ref name=":6">{{Cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1980&dat=19950630&id=1TtAAAAAIBAJ&sjid=_K0FAAAAIBAJ&pg=1264,6905749&hl=en|title=Suspects in church fires deny connections to Klan|last=Kiersek|first=Amy|date=30 June 1995|work=The Sumter Item|last2=Murphy|first2=C.S.|access-date=21 Jul 2016|via=}}</ref>
+On June 21, 1995, Timothy Adron Welch and Gary Christopher Cox of the Christian Knights of the Ku Klux Klan poured gasoline on the floor of the Macedonian Baptist Church and set it on fire. The church was one of several rural black churches burned by arsonists in the mid-1990s. The crimes prompted president [[Bill Clinton]] to visit [[South Carolina]] in 1996 and pledge federal help in investigating the crimes.<ref name=":5">{{Cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-jul-25-mn-7055-story.html|title=Church Wins $37.8 Million in KKK Suit|last=MOEHRINGER|first=J. R.|date=1998-07-25|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|language=en-US|issn=0458-3035|access-date=2016-07-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160818230528/http://articles.latimes.com/1998/jul/25/news/mn-7055|archive-date=2016-08-18|url-status=live}}</ref> Due to the possibility that the arson violated federal civil rights [[Hate crime laws in the United States|hate crime]] laws, the arson case was investigated by the [[Federal Bureau of Investigation|FBI]].<ref name=":6">{{Cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1980&dat=19950630&id=1TtAAAAAIBAJ&pg=1264,6905749&hl=en|title=Suspects in church fires deny connections to Klan|last1=Kiersek|first1=Amy|date=30 June 1995|work=The Sumter Item|last2=Murphy|first2=C.S.|access-date=21 July 2016}}</ref>
 Welch and Cox were apprehended in connection to a stabbing assault on a black man on June 16. The two were charged with assault and battery with intent to kill, first-degree [[arson]], and second-degree burglary of the [[Mount Zion AME Church (Greeleyville, South Carolina)|Mount Zion AME Church]] in [[Greeleyville, South Carolina|Greeleyville, SC]].<ref name=":6" />
 == Trials ==
 === Criminal trial ===
-Welch, Cox, and two older accomplices, Arthur Haley and Hubert Rowell were indicted on several charges of civil rights violations involving the burning of the Macedonian Baptist Church and other racially-charged crimes. Haley and Rowell were also charged with burning a Hispanic migrant camp in [[Manning, SC]], burning a car of a black Manning resident, and [[Illegal possession of a firearm|illegally possessing firearms]]. The federal [[indictment]] said that Haley selected the Macedonian Baptist Church as the arson target and Rowell instructed Cox and Welch on how to set the fire.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1996/08/17/2-accused-of-masterminding-church-burning/23f3bf82-9177-49ea-8e06-8817e4086c6e/|title=2 Accused of Masterminding Church Burning|last=Holl|first=Jesse|date=17 Aug 1996|website=Washington Post|publisher=|access-date=2016-07-21}}</ref> All four defendants pleaded guilty to the charges. They received [[federal prison]] sentences ranging from 12 to 21.5 years.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=http://airwolf.lmtonline.com/news/archive/072698/pagea12.pdf|title=Klan ordered to pay for inciting church burning|last=|first=|date=24 July 1998|work=Laredo Morning Times|access-date=7 July 2016|via=}}</ref>
+Welch, Cox, and two older accomplices, Arthur Haley and Hubert Rowell were indicted on several charges of civil rights violations involving the burning of the Macedonian Baptist Church and other racially charged crimes. Haley and Rowell were also charged with burning a Hispanic migrant camp in [[Manning, SC]], burning a car of a black Manning resident, and [[Illegal possession of a firearm|illegally possessing firearms]]. The federal [[indictment]] said that Haley selected the Macedonian Baptist Church as the arson target and Rowell instructed Cox and Welch on how to set the fire.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1996/08/17/2-accused-of-masterminding-church-burning/23f3bf82-9177-49ea-8e06-8817e4086c6e/|title=2 Accused of Masterminding Church Burning|last=Holl|first=Jesse|date=17 Aug 1996|newspaper=Washington Post|access-date=2016-07-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160822064531/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1996/08/17/2-accused-of-masterminding-church-burning/23f3bf82-9177-49ea-8e06-8817e4086c6e/|archive-date=22 August 2016|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> All four defendants pleaded guilty to the charges. They received [[federal prison]] sentences ranging from 12 to 21.5 years.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=http://airwolf.lmtonline.com/news/archive/072698/pagea12.pdf|title=Klan ordered to pay for inciting church burning|date=24 July 1998|work=Laredo Morning Times|access-date=7 July 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304022637/http://airwolf.lmtonline.com/news/archive/072698/pagea12.pdf|archive-date=4 March 2016}}</ref>
 James E. Johnson and Isabelle Katz Pinzler, co-chairs of the [[National Church Arson Task Force]] commended the work of officials and investigators in the case. Rene Josey, [[U.S. Attorney for the District of South Carolina|U.S. attorney for the District of South Carolina]], said "Today's sentences should serve as a wake-up call to those individuals who may consider the unlawful use of force and violence to intimidate persons based on their race and religious beliefs."<ref name=":8" />
@@ Line 19: / Line 21: @@
 === Civil suit ===
-A subsequent civil case trial was held in 1998 with the charges that the Ku Klux Klan [[Hate speech|incited the crime]]. The case was brought to court by the [[Southern Poverty Law Center]], represented by attorney [[Morris Dees]].<ref name=":0" /> The lawyer for the Klan insisted that the criminals acted alone in burning down the church. Defense attorney Gary White painted the Klan [[Grand Dragon]] Horace King as a feeble old man merely exercising his [[right to free speech]], saying King never authorized the arson. During the trial, the Church's lawyers showed racist Klan posters and literature and played a videotape for the jury showing King speaking at a Klan rally, saying "It's time, people, to wake up and shape up and say this is our country, white people, take it back." The Klan leaders insisted that they never encouraged anyone to break the law, but two of the sentenced arsonists testified against their case. Welch testified, "The church fire was Klan business, and we were told we would not go to jail. We were convinced we were untouchable."<ref name=":7">{{Cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1310&dat=19980725&id=U91YAAAAIBAJ&sjid=resDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6727,6392747&hl=en|title=Jury ties Klan to church fire|last=Smith|first=Bruce|date=25 Jul 1998|work=Eugene Register-Guard|access-date=21 Jul 2016|via=}}</ref> Both Welch and Cox said that they testified against the Klan to atone for what they'd done.<ref name=":5" />
+A subsequent civil case trial was held in 1998 with the charges that the Ku Klux Klan [[Hate speech|incited the crime]]. The case was brought to court by the [[Southern Poverty Law Center]], represented by attorney [[Morris Dees]].<ref name=":0" /> The lawyer for the Klan insisted that the criminals acted alone in burning down the church. Defense attorney Gary White painted the Klan [[Grand Dragon]] Horace King as a feeble old man merely exercising his [[right to free speech]], saying King never authorized the arson. During the trial, the Church's lawyers showed racist Klan posters and literature and played a videotape for the jury showing King speaking at a Klan rally, saying "It's time, people, to wake up and shape up and say this is our country, white people, take it back." The Klan leaders insisted that they never encouraged anyone to break the law, but two of the sentenced arsonists testified against their case. Welch testified, "The church fire was Klan business, and we were told we would not go to jail. We were convinced we were untouchable."<ref name=":7">{{Cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1310&dat=19980725&id=U91YAAAAIBAJ&pg=6727,6392747&hl=en|title=Jury ties Klan to church fire|last=Smith|first=Bruce|date=25 Jul 1998|work=Eugene Register-Guard|access-date=21 Jul 2016}}</ref> Both Welch and Cox said that they testified against the Klan to atone for what they'd done.<ref name=":5" />
-The case was decided by nine black and three white jurors.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|url=http://articles.philly.com/1998-07-25/news/25737743_1_black-church-klan-organizations-morris-dees|title=Klan Ordered To Pay Black Church $37.8m|last=|first=|date=25 July 1998|website=Philly.com|publisher=Philadelphia Media Network|access-date=2016-07-19}}</ref> On July 24, 1998, the jury deliberated for just 45 minutes before it returned a decision that the Ku Klux Klan must pay $37.8 million, $12.6 million more than even lawyers for the church requested. The verdict included $300,000 in actual damages and $37.5 million in [[punitive damages]].<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2_xHed1DiHcC|title=Domestic Terrorism|last=Levin|first=Jack|last2=Eubank|first2=William Lee|last3=Weinberg|first3=Leonard|date=2006-01-01|publisher=Infobase Publishing|isbn=9781438107189|language=en}}</ref> The amount was later reduced to $12.5 million.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.splcenter.org/seeking-justice/case-docket/macedonia-v-christian-knights-ku-klux-klan|title=Macedonia v. Christian Knights of the Ku Klux Klan|date=|publisher=Southern Poverty Law Center|access-date=2016-07-07}}</ref> King, the South Carolina leader of the Christian Knights, was ordered to pay $15 million himself.<ref name=":0" /> The Christian Knights' South Carolina affiliate was ordered to pay $7 million, while the four men in prison were ordered to pay $100,000 to $200,000 each.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/1998/08/06/met_235223.shtml#.V36zVOaDFBc|title=Klan leader is sorry black church burned|date=6 Aug 1998|website=chronicle.augusta.com|access-date=2016-07-07}}</ref> The judgement was the largest ever awarded against a [[hate group]].<ref name=":4" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://archive.itvs.org/forgottenfires/story_b.html|title=Civil Trial|last=|first=|date=|website=archive.itvs.org|publisher=Independent Television Service|access-date=2016-07-08}}</ref>
+The case was decided by nine black and three white jurors.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|url=http://articles.philly.com/1998-07-25/news/25737743_1_black-church-klan-organizations-morris-dees|title=Klan Ordered To Pay Black Church $37.8m|date=25 July 1998|website=Philly.com|publisher=Philadelphia Media Network|access-date=2016-07-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160817025516/http://articles.philly.com/1998-07-25/news/25737743_1_black-church-klan-organizations-morris-dees|archive-date=17 August 2016|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref> On July 24, 1998, the jury deliberated for just 45 minutes before it returned a decision that the Ku Klux Klan must pay $37.8 million, $12.6 million more than even lawyers for the church requested. The verdict included $300,000 in actual damages and $37.5 million in [[punitive damages]].<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2_xHed1DiHcC|title=Domestic Terrorism|last1=Levin|first1=Jack|last2=Eubank|first2=William Lee|last3=Weinberg|first3=Leonard|date=2006-01-01|publisher=Infobase Publishing|isbn=9781438107189|language=en}}</ref>  King was ordered to pay $15 million,<ref name=":0" /> as was the Christian Knights of the Ku Klux Klan Inc. of North Carolina.  The Christian Knights' South Carolina affiliate was ordered to pay $7 million, while the four men in prison were ordered to pay $100,000 to $200,000 each.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/1998/08/06/met_235223.shtml#.V36zVOaDFBc|title=Klan leader is sorry black church burned|date=6 Aug 1998|website=chronicle.augusta.com|access-date=2016-07-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821054956/http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/1998/08/06/met_235223.shtml#.V36zVOaDFBc|archive-date=21 August 2016|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> The judgement was the largest ever awarded against a [[hate group]].<ref name=":4" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://archive.itvs.org/forgottenfires/story_b.html|title=Civil Trial|website=archive.itvs.org|publisher=Independent Television Service|access-date=2016-07-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150724220520/http://archive.itvs.org/forgottenfires/story_b.html|archive-date=2015-07-24|url-status=dead}}</ref>  The amount was later reduced to $21.5 million.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.splcenter.org/seeking-justice/case-docket/macedonia-v-christian-knights-ku-klux-klan|title=Macedonia v. Christian Knights of the Ku Klux Klan|publisher=Southern Poverty Law Center|access-date=2016-07-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160819070649/https://www.splcenter.org/seeking-justice/case-docket/macedonia-v-christian-knights-ku-klux-klan|archive-date=2016-08-19|url-status=live}}</ref>  King's "tiny house, a shed, a chicken coop and seven acres in rural Lexington County"<ref>{{cite web |url=http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/1998/08/06/met_235223.shtml |title=Klan leader is sorry black church burned &#124; chronicle.augusta.com |website=chronicle.augusta.com |access-date=13 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821054956/http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/1998/08/06/met_235223.shtml |archive-date=21 August 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref> were sold, and he died in the early 2000s.{{Citation needed|date=June 2019}}
 == Aftermath ==
-On the day the verdict was read, Welch's younger brother Richard stated that he blamed the Klan for changing his brother. He said he was happy with the verdict, and hoped that it would be enough to keep the Klan away from their town.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":7" /><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/07/25/us/klan-must-pay-37-million-for-inciting-church-fire.html|title=Klan Must Pay $37 Million for Inciting Church Fire|date=1998-07-25|newspaper=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=2016-07-19}}</ref>
+On the day the verdict was read, Welch's younger brother Richard stated that he blamed the Klan for changing his brother. He said he was happy with the verdict and hoped that it would be enough to keep the Klan away from their town.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":7" /><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/07/25/us/klan-must-pay-37-million-for-inciting-church-fire.html|title=Klan Must Pay $37 Million for Inciting Church Fire|date=1998-07-25|newspaper=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=2016-07-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160819125227/http://www.nytimes.com/1998/07/25/us/klan-must-pay-37-million-for-inciting-church-fire.html|archive-date=2016-08-19|url-status=live}}</ref>
 The civil suit forced the Klan to surrender the land on which its headquarters were built. When the property was sold, the deed included a restriction that the land never be used for white supremacist activities. The SPLC credits this judgement with reducing "one of the most active Klan groups in the nation to a defunct organization."<ref name=":1" />
-After the suit, disgraced KKK Grand Dragon Horace King stated publicly that he was sorry anyone ever connected with his group was involved in the arson, although he refused to admit guilt or apologize for inciting the crime. He claimed that he would continue to fight to proclaim his innocence.<ref name=":2" />
+After the suit, King stated publicly that he was sorry anyone ever connected with his group was involved in the arson, he refused to admit personal guilt or apologize for inciting the crime.  He claimed that he would continue to fight to proclaim his innocence.<ref name=":2" />
 The Macedonian Baptist Church was later fully rebuilt.<ref name=":3" />
-''Forgotten Fires'', a film about the fires and subsequent trials was created by Michael Chandler in 1998.<ref name=":3" /> The church and trials were discussed in ''Standing on Holy Ground'', a book by Sandra E. Johnson about the spate of arsons targeting black churches in rural South Carolina.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/books/2002/2002-06-06-holy-ground.htm|title='Holy Ground' details town's fight against hate|last=Smith|first=W. Thomas|date=6 Jun 2002|website=usatoday30.usatoday.com|publisher=USA Today|access-date=2016-07-21}}</ref>
+''Forgotten Fires'', a film about the fires and subsequent trials was produced by Michael Chandler & Vivian Kleiman in 1998.<ref name=":3" /> The church and trials were discussed in ''Standing on Holy Ground'', a book by Sandra E. Johnson about the spate of arsons targeting black churches in rural South Carolina.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/books/2002/2002-06-06-holy-ground.htm|title='Holy Ground' details town's fight against hate|last=Smith|first=W. Thomas|date=6 Jun 2002|website=usatoday30.usatoday.com|publisher=USA Today|access-date=2016-07-21}}</ref>
 == See also ==
 * [[List of attacks against African-American churches]]
+* [[Charleston church shooting]], an infamous instance of a violent attack on a black church in which [[Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church]] in [[Charleston, South Carolina|Charleston]], South Carolina had nine congregants killed by [[Dylann Roof]] on June 17, 2015.
+* [[16th Street Baptist Church bombing]], another infamous incident involving Ku Klux Klan members committing violence against the 16th Street Baptist Church in [[Birmingham, Alabama|Birmingham]], Alabama on September 15, 1963, resulting in four female African-Americans dead and twenty-two injured.
 == References ==
@@ Line 42: / Line 46: @@
 {{coord missing|South Carolina}}
-[[Category:Places of worship in the United States destroyed by arson]]
+[[Category:Church arson in the United States]]
 [[Category:Racially motivated violence against African Americans]]
 [[Category:Ku Klux Klan crimes]]
 [[Category:1995 in South Carolina]]
-[[Category:June 1995 events]]
+[[Category:June 1995 events in the United States]]
+[[Category:Arson in 1995]]
+[[Category:1995 fires in the United States]]
+[[Category:Attacks on African-American churches]]
+[[Category:Ku Klux Klan in South Carolina]]
+[[Category:Arson in South Carolina]]
+[[Category:Attacks on buildings and structures in 1995]]
+[[Category:Terrorist incidents in the United States in 1995]]
+[[Category:Terrorist incidents involving incendiary devices]]