The young men's decomposing bodies, mostly just skeletal remains, were found more than two months later in a river backwater. No one was convicted in the case -- until now.
US District Judge Henry T. Wingate told Seale the crimes for which he was convicted were "horrific" and "unspeakable." Though the crimes occurred 43 years ago, "justice itself is ageless," Wingate said.
The judge denied a defense request to allow Seale to go free on bond while his case is appealed; public defender Kathy Nester filed a notice of appeal.
"Mr. Seale maintains his innocence to this crime," Nester said.
During the hearing, one of Dee's sisters and Moore's brother talked about how the violent deaths affected them and their families.
"I don't have no hate in my heart, but I'm happy for justice," said Dee's sister Thelma Collins of Springfield, La.
Thomas Moore of Colorado Springs, Colo., read from a prepared statement directed at Seale.
"I hope you perhaps spend the rest of your natural life in prison thinking of what you did to Charles Moore and Henry Dee and how you ran for a long time but you got caught," he said. "I hope the spirit of Charles and Henry come to your cell every night and visit with you to teach you what is meant by love of your fellow man."
Seale never made eye contact with the relatives.
Asked by Wingate whether he had anything to say, a shackled Seale stood, shook his head, and said, "No."
Wingate agreed to assign Seale to a prison where his health needs can be met. He has cancer and bone spurs, among other health problems.
The jury of eight whites and four blacks took two hours in June to reach the unanimous verdicts to convict Seale.
The prosecution's star witness was Charles Marcus Edwards, a confessed Klansman who received immunity from prosecution for his admitted role in the abductions and his testimony.
He testified that Seale and other Klansmen abducted the two teenagers near Meadville, in southwest Mississippi, took them to the Homochitto National Forest, and beat them while asking questions about rumors that black people in the area were stockpiling guns. Edwards said that during the beating the young men said -- falsely -- that weapons were being stored in a black church, Roxie First Baptist.
