In this interview, 2009 MacArthur Fellow Jerry Mitchell explains why he was driven to investigate and report on unpunished murders from the Civil Rights era. As a journalist with the Jackson, Mississippi, Clarion-Ledger, Mitchell began his examination of decades-old stories of thwarted justice. His investigations laid the groundwork for new trials and eventual convictions. In an era when long-term investigative reporting is increasingly rare, Mitchell’s work serves as an example of how a journalist can make a difference in the pursuit of justice. This resource is part of the MacArthur Fellows Program Collection.