The iconic civil rights leader's 1976 death led to probes by the Texas attorney general, the FBI, and others. But all documents that might have proven he was murdered appeared to have vanished. In the Ghost of Frank J. Robinson podcast, reporter David Martin Davies investigates and finds new evidence about this mystery that haunts East Texas.

Introducing The Ghost of Frank J. Robinson

On Oct. 13, 1976, East Texas voting rights activist Frank J. Robinson was mortally wounded from a shotgun blast to his head. When the police chief saw the body, he declared it looked like a murder — but days later he retracted his assessment. After a public inquest, Robinson’s death was ruled a suicide. But a specter of doubt hangs over his death — so much so that even the Texas State Historical Association’s Handbook of Texas questions the ruling. Robinson had won victories to promote and preserve the power of the Black vote in East Texas, and some say that’s why he was killed. In Texas Public Radio’s "The Ghost of Frank J. Robinson," reporter David Martin Davies investigates and finds new evidence about this mystery that haunts East Texas. This podcast is made possible in part by Texas A&M San Antonio.

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On Oct. 13, 1976, East Texas voting rights activist Frank J. Robinson was mortally wounded from a shotgun blast to his head. When the police chief saw the body, he declared it looked like a murder — but days later he retracted his assessment. After a public inquest, Robinson’s death was ruled a suicide. But a specter of doubt hangs over his death — so much so that even the Texas State Historical Association’s Handbook of Texas questions the ruling. Robinson had won victories to promote and preserve the power of the Black vote in East Texas, and some say that’s why he was killed. In Texas Public Radio’s "The Ghost of Frank J. Robinson," reporter David Martin Davies investigates and finds new evidence about this mystery that haunts East Texas. This podcast is made possible in part by Texas A&amp;M San Antonio.

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Introducing The Ghost of Frank J. Robinson

Introducing The Ghost of Frank J. Robinson

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