Killing of John McCoy in Florida in 1948

Incident

Case summary

John McCoy (1900 – 1948) was killed by William Wade in Saint Johns County, Florida. Wade shot McCoy multiple times, claiming self-defense. McCoy had allegedly entered Wade’s store, threatened, and took a gun from Henry McKnight, a Black employee. Wade was arrested. State Attorney Julian C. Calhoun declined to pursue murder charges against Wade.

Victim(s):

John McCoy


Alleged perpetrators/other named individuals:

William Wade

Perpetrator group type: [ ]

Date of incident: 1948-03-18
Location: Saint Augustine, Saint Johns County, Florida
Location type: public space - urban
Allegation against victim: dispute over a pawned diamond ring; stealing a pistol; threatening to shoot a white man

Coroner process
Coroner/inquest: yes
Finding of no legal responsibility: no

Criminal process
Arrest: yes
Charge/indictment/information: [ ]
Grand jury: [ ]
Trial: yes
Conviction: [ ]
Sentence: [ ]


Document(s):
advocacy group resources
census records - closed
military documents - closed
news articles - closed
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