Civil Wrongs is a project of the Institute for Public Service Reporting in collaboration with WKNO-FM. Here, we analyze the present-day effects of historical cases of racial terror in Memphis and the Mid-South.
In this third and final episode of season 6, we talk to the family and others connected to the Memphis case that resulted in a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that made national waves and shaped how police could use force against people fleeing from them. And that probably would have made a difference in the case against Phillip Hatley’s killer, too.
We also dive into the most recent scathing report on the Memphis Police Department from the U.S. Department of Justice and how the city plans to move forward.
Mentioned in this episode:
Tennessee v. Garner decision by U.S. Supreme Court (https://www.loc.gov/item/usrep471001/) (Library of Congress)
"Investigation of the Memphis Police Department and the City of Memphis (https://www.justice.gov/crt/media/1379096/dl)" (U.S. Department of Justice, 2024)
"Fired Officers Worked In MPD’s ‘SCORPION’ Unit (https://www.psrmemphis.org/fired-officers-worked-in-mpds-scorpion-unit/)" by Marc Perrusquia, Institute for Public Service Reporting
13 Oct 2025
S6E2: Silenced Bloodlines
This episode explores how Phillip Hatley’s family responded to his death — both at the time and through three generations, as more information has come to light.
His grandsons say they have a newfound understanding of their father, who was five years old when Phillip Hatley was killed within earshot of his family. The next generation sees opportunities to affect change in their community as police brutality feels closer to home and their family heals.
We also talk to Dr. Monnica Williams, a clinical psychologist and associate professor of psychology at the University of Ottawa on how trauma, including racial trauma, can be carried through generations.
Mentioned in this episode:
Dr. Monnica Williams X: @DrMonnica, Instagram: @drmonnica, LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/monnicawilliams, Treating Racial Trauma: A Certification in Clinical Anti-Racism (http://www.racialtraumahealing.com/certification.php)
Solomon Hatley Ministries on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/SolomonHatleyMinistries/), YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@SolomonHatleyMinistries), TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@pastorsolomonhatley)
Phillip Hatley Foundation (https://philliphatley.org/)
13 Oct 2025
S6E1: The Killer Wore a Badge
In this episode, we bring you the story of Phillip Hatley, a 43-year-old Black husband and father who was shot in the back and killed by a drunk Memphis police officer in 1939.
His death led to a publicly contentious trial that ended with his killer going free.
But his own grandsons knew only bits and pieces of what happened despite growing up in the same neighborhood. We journey with them back to where it all began and chat with the researcher who uncovered the story.
Mentioned in this episode:
Civil Rights & Restorative Justice (https://crrj.org/) Project
"From Boss Crump to King Willie: How Race Changed Memphis Politics" (https://www.burkesbooks.com/pages/books/227383/otis-l-sanford/from-boss-crump-to-king-willie-how-race-changed-memphis-politics) by Otis Sanford
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
11 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
4 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 30 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
39
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
51
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