Jasper community reflects on Byrd dragging death 25 years later

Today marks the 25th anniversary of the racially-motivated murder of James Byrd Jr.

Three white men were convicted of dragging the 49-year-old black man to his death on June 7, 1998.

Two of the killers were executed and the third is serving life in prison.

We went there Wednesday and asked Jasper County leaders about the significance of June 7.

They call it a day of remembrance to honor the memory of James Byrd Jr., but they also say what happened on that date should not define their community.

Read more: KFDM (Beaumont, TX)