Lovett Wimberly, 28, a saw mill worker, a log hauling business owner and a union activist, was killed in 1948 by Oscar Neil Knighton in Quitman County, Georgia. Lovett worked for his brother William Johnie Wimberly, age 33, owner of a logging business. As a subcontractor to logger Lenoard Sparks, William went with Lovett to collect their fee from Sparks. Knighton, a grocer, confronted the Wimberly brothers outside of Sparks’s office, claiming they owed him for an outstanding grocery bill. By one account, Knighton shot both brothers when they insisted on carrying on with their business. Knighton claimed that after they finished their business, Lovett threatened him with a weapon and he shot Lovett and William in self-defense. Knighton was freed following a committal hearing. An essay on this case, researched and authored by a CRRJ student, is available on request.

Lovett Wimberly

Neal Knighton