McBane saying that “any” black person would do to burn for the crime is significant in a number of ways.
First, it reiterates what we already know to be true about McBane: he’s the literal worst (well, he might be in competition with Tom for that title).
Second, it proves his lack of care for justice (pretty sketchy for a captain, am I right?).
Third, this might be a bit of a stretch, but I believe McBane doesn’t even think the crime was committed by a black person. I know he’s awful, but he isn’t stupid. The only people who had motivation to kill her were the white people who would receive some inheritance from her (*cough cough* Tom). McBane probably knows this, but he hates African Americans enough to use anything as an excuse to see one lynched.
Fourth, I think his words are foreshadowing what is to come. I don’t know what is going to happen to Sandy specifically, but we all know that a violent, bloody struggle is ahead (I mean, just look at the cover of the book), and Mrs. Ochiltree’s death is the catalyst. Sandy may or may not be proven innocent, he may or may not pay for this crime he didn’t commit with his life. Regardless, lives will be lost. It may be just as McBane says, “any” black person will do to take the fall for this.
My Thoughts on African American Literature 
Rachel, another thing McBane says that I find disturbing is, “The example would be all the more powerful if we got the wrong one. It would serve notice on the “blacks” that we shall hold the whole race responsible for the misdeeds of each individual.” I mean this pretty much proves that he doesn’t care about justice. I think you have an interesting point in saying that maybe he does know it isn’t a black criminal. I think they will use whatever they have honestly, true or not, to advance their purpose, which is essentially to “dethrone” African Americans from government positions and from being their equals.
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