The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll

[oberliner]

Anyone else thinking of this Bob Dylan song tonight?

Last verse:

In the courtroom of honor, the judge pounded his gavel
To show that all's equal and that the courts are on the level
And that the strings in the books ain't pulled and persuaded
And that even the nobles get properly handled
Once that the cops have chased after and caught 'em
And that ladder of law has no top and no bottom
Stared at the person who killed for no reason
Who just happened to be feelin' that way witout warnin'
And he spoke through his cloak, most deep and distinguished
And handed out strongly, for penalty and repentance
William Zanzinger with a six-month sentence
Oh, but you who philosophize disgrace and criticize all fears
Bury the rag deep in your face
For now's the time for your tears.

[struggle4progress]

1. ... In 1991, The Maryland Independent disclosed that Mr. Zantzinger had been collecting rent

from black families living in shanties that he no longer owned; Charles County, Md., had foreclosed on them for unpaid taxes. The shanties lacked running water, toilets or outhouses. Not only had Mr. Zantzinger collected rent for properties he did not own, he also went to court to demand past-due rent, and won. He pleaded guilty to 50 misdemeanor counts of deceptive trade practices, paid $62,000 in penalties and, under an 18-month sentence, spent only nights in jail ...
W. D. Zantzinger, Subject of Dylan Song, Dies at 69
By DOUGLAS MARTIN
Published: January 9, 2009
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/10/us/10zantzinger.html

[madaboutharry]

2. He also wrote The Ballad of Emmett Till