Heather Ellis

Rev. Dwight Montgomery and the Memphis chapter of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference continues with its resolve to garner support for Heather Ellis, who is at the center of what increasingly is becoming a high-profile court battle in Kennett, Mo.

Ellis goes to trial on Nov. 18 facing felony charges related to an encounter with police following an incident that happened three years at the checkline of a Wal-Mart Store In Kennett. At 7 p.m. Friday, a Gospel concert to benefit Ellis’ legal defense fund will take place at Cane Creek Baptist Church at 1785 Elvis Presley Blvd, where Rev. Leonard Dawson, president of the Baptist Ministerial Association, is pastor.

The upcoming trial of Heather Ellis in Kennett, Mo., has become tinged with references to the KKK and is drawing support from several quarters, including Rev. Dwight Montgomer and the Memphis chapter of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. (Photos by Tyrone P. Easley)

Montgomery and SCLC members joined some of Ellis’ other supporters during a show of support during a pre-trial hearing last week.

Ellis’ father, Rev. Nate Ellis, a Church of God in Christ in minister, has said at one point a Kennett police officer brought KKK cards to two people participating in marches on his daughter’s behalf.

Dunklin County Prosecutor Stephen Sokoloff said police found the cards along a rally route and alerted members of Ellis’ family – a move he said that led to accusations that police were distributing the KKK cards.

Ellis’ supporters have written the governor of Missouri seeking help in getting a change of venue, the removal of Sokoloff from the case and an investigation of the Dunklin County legal system. Sokoloff says none of those moves are warranted.

Ellis was in college in Louisiana when the incident occurred. She has since graduated but the case has detoured her from her goal of becoming a doctor, Rev. Ellis said.