Dying Civil Rights Leader Sentenced To 15 Years

The Rev. James Bevel, who was a key architect of the 1963 Children's Crusade in Birmingham, was convicted of having sex 15 years ago with his then-teenage daughter.

By: Jamie Burch | WKRG-TV
Published: October 15, 2008

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LEESBURG, Va. (AP) - A top lieutenant to Martin Luther King Jr.
has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for incest.
The Rev. James L. Bevel was a key architect of the 1963
Children's Crusade in Birmingham, Ala., and other pivotal moments
of the civil rights movement. He was convicted earlier this year of
having sex 15 years ago with his then-teenage daughter in Virginia.
The prison sentence was the most severe the Virginia circuit
judge could impose. Sentencing guidelines called for a term of
probation.
The 71-year-old Bevel revealed during his testimony Wednesday
that he was recently diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He says
doctors estimate he has six weeks to six months to live.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)