MovieChat Forums > Ghosts of Mississippi (1997) Discussion > Beckwith gives himself away.

Beckwith gives himself away.

posted 14 years ago by mistershankly
7 replies | jump to latest

During DeLaughter`s opening statement, he says that the person who committed this murder was a coward. Then you see in the background Beckwith makes a gesture that indicates this is nonsense.

But then he is unconsciously admitting he is the murderer, because he feels he has to defend himself. "I`m not a coward". He knows the prosecutor is speaking about him. If he was innocent, or at least going to act innocent, he shouldn`t have done anything, because he wouldn`t know the real murderer.

If I had been in the jury and seen that, I`d know he was guilty.

[–] marebytes 14 years ago

Funny- I just rewatched it today and noticed the same exact thing. If you were not guilty- there would be no reason to react.

However, it could also be noted that in a later scene during the trail - he pretty much admits to DeLaughter that he did it- but he'lll never be convicted.

[–] 14 years ago

[deleted]

[–] acter 13 years ago

I disagree -- I think Beckwith is indicating that "whoever" killed Mr. Evers is a coward, because, after all, Mr. Evers was "only a ... [I just can't bring myself to use the word he would have used]".

Acter

[–] MuchToBeGratefulFor 10 years ago

I think he gives himself away too, and that's part of the point: back in the 60s, it was clear he was guilty, yet there was no way that he was going to get convicted of this crime. He still thinks that he won't be convicted no matter what. Was he in for a shock.

You must be the change you seek in the world. -- Gandhi

[–] Moviefan-Two-Kay-Four 9 years ago

Beckwith was an arrogant weasel with too much anger and even more supporters. He even filed for an appeal after his 1994 conviction, and it was briefly considered by the Mississippi courts in 1997. Thankfully, it never happened, and he died as a prisoner. People like him are why I'm thankful to not be God...because my heart doesn't have enough love in it to put up with psychos.

[–] Topcat81 (222) 5 years ago

Honestly, i have nothing but pity for beckwith or any member of the klan. I feel sorry for them, because they werent born racists, they were taught that. And I would feel the same for any other person, whatever their race, who was a racist. Its ignorance.

[–] [deleted] 2 years ago

So what evidence was there?