Truer Crime: Blood at the Hanging Tree

Season 2, Episode Release Date: March 13, 2025
Host: Celisia Stanton

Introduction

In "Blood at the Hanging Tree," Celisia Stanton delves into one of Georgia's most harrowing hate crimes—the brutal murder of Timothy Coggins. This episode explores the deep-seated racism, the prolonged silence of a small Southern community, and a family's relentless 34-year quest for justice.

Discovery of the Crime

The story begins in 1983, when a tragic discovery shakes a small southern town:

• Narrator [00:09]: "In 1983, a 10-year-old boy hunting with his father made a horrifying discovery beneath what locals called the hanging tree."

The scene is set with the grim finding:

• Investigator [00:19]: "This was a horrible crime. In 1983, deputies found the body here along Mentor Road, right over there by those power lines."

The victim, a Black man, was found brutally murdered:

• Narrator [00:28]: "There was the body of a black man, brutally murdered, stabbed in an X pattern that echoed the Confederate flag. A terrifying discovery in a community still haunted by its past."

Community's Haunting Legacy

The presence of the "hanging tree" symbolizes the community's unresolved racial tensions:

• Community Member [00:41]: "And they know that their day of reckoning is coming."

Despite the community's attempt to move past the trauma, the scars remain.

The Boy's Unforgettable Witness

The young boy who discovered the body was forever changed by the event:

• Narrator [00:58]: "But that 10-year-old boy, the one who'd first uncovered the body, would never forget what he saw that day. And 34 years later, he would help unlock the truth about one of Georgia's most brutal hate crimes, the murder of Timothy Coggins."

Family's Pursuit of Justice

For decades, Timothy Coggins' family pursued justice against those responsible:

• Family Member [01:16]: "The people who did it, they know what it was. The people who committed the crime know how he was killed. And those are the people that we were coming after."

This relentless effort highlights the family's determination to seek truth and accountability.

Community Silence and Secrets

In a tightly-knit Southern town, secrets are hard to keep, yet this case remained unsolved for over three decades:

• Narrator [01:25]: "In a small southern town where everyone knows everyone's secrets, how did this kid go unsolved for three decades? And what happens when a community finally confronts its darkest truths?"

The episode probes the complexities of small-town dynamics and the barriers they can create to justice.

Reawakening Memories and Grief

The resurfacing of the case brings old wounds back to the surface:

• Local Resident [01:39]: "We grieved 34 years ago. We learned to deal with it. Although it was unsolved all these years, we still learned to deal with it. Now we're grieving all over again. Because now the memories are coming back again."

This resurgence forces the community to face unresolved emotions and the lingering effects of the crime.

Conclusion

"Blood at the Hanging Tree" is a poignant narrative of racism, silence, and the enduring fight for justice. Through Celisia Stanton's insightful storytelling, listeners gain a deeper understanding of Timothy Coggins' tragic murder and the long-term impact it had on his family and community. This episode underscores the importance of confronting past injustices to pave the way for healing and reconciliation.

Notable Quotes:

• Narrator [00:09]: "In 1983, a 10-year-old boy hunting with his father made a horrifying discovery beneath what locals called the hanging tree."

• Investigator [00:19]: "This was a horrible crime... deputies found the body here along Mentor Road."

• Family Member [01:16]: "The people who did it, they know what it was... we were coming after."

• Local Resident [01:39]: "Now we're grieving all over again. Because now the memories are coming back again."

Further Listening

For those interested in exploring more about Timothy Coggins' case and the intricate web of community secrets, "Blood at the Hanging Tree" offers a compelling and thorough examination of a long-unsolved hate crime that continues to reverberate through time.