In lynchings, the town's solid citizens turned out to cheer. It was a public occasion.

In the '60s, investigation of race-based murders in the deep South could be minimal; but even then the killers had to act in secret.

In recent hate killings, however, the town, the state, and the FBI go after the killers, who are almost always apprehended, convicted, and punished.

Which brings me back to the point that first-degree murderers don't worry much about the law.