Jerry Mitchell, Mississippi Clarion-Ledger

The University of Arizona Department of Journalism and the Arizona Newspapers Association Foundation have named Jerry Mitchell the 2007 winner of the John Peter and Anna Catherine Zenger Award.

Mitchell, an investigative reporter for the Mississippi Clarion-Ledger, has worked since 1989 pursuing evidence about killings during the civil rights era. His work so far has helped put four Klansmen behind bars and inspired countless other investigations. Authorities in Mississippi and six other states have re-examined 29 killings from the civil rights era and made 29 arrests, leading to 23 convictions. The Justice Department is now re-examining more than 100 deaths from the era.

For more than 50 years, this award has honored people who have made extraordinary contributions to freedom of the press and the people's right to know.

"Jerry Mitchell's reporting exemplifies the type of courageous work the Zenger award is designed to honor," said University of Arizona journalism department head Jacqueline Sharkey. "His determination to continue informing the public about these crimes and their impact on individuals, families and our society sets an example for every journalist."

Mitchell, who has received more than 20 national awards, says he is humbled by the Zenger honor.

"To win an award named after Zenger, knowing what they mean to journalism in this country, it's incredible. If that weren't enough, the list of past winners is phenomenal and include many of my heroes, such as Woodward and Bernstein," Mitchell said.