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52: The Socialite & The Gardening Shears: The Murder of Idella Thompson

Southern Fried True Crime
Southern Fried True Crime
Episode • May 10, 2019 • 53m
In 1948, a Delta Mississippi socialite named Ruth Thompson Dickins, hacked her mother to death with gardening shears. She blamed the murder on a “negro” man she claimed attacked her as well. But a jury of 12 white men didn’t believe her, in Mississippi, in 1949. That fact alone is incredible. But with her prominent family, wealthy and aggressive “cotton man” husband and the backing of the elite white people of her town and county, the governor of Mississippi was finally badgered into suspending her sentence after she served only six years.

Sources: https://www.southernfriedtruecrime.com/52-the-murder-of-idella-thompson

Written, hosted, produced by Erica Kelley
Researched by Erica Kelley
Original Graphic Art by Coley Horner
Original Music by Rob Harrison-Gamma Radio

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