Killing of Willie James Howard in Florida in 1944

Incident

Case summary

Willie James Howard, 15, a store worker, was killed in 1944 by A. S. Dennis, S.B. McCullers, and Phil Goff in Suwannee County, Florida. The three white men bound Howard’s hands and feet and forced him to jump into a river allegedly because he had written a Christmas card and then a letter expressing his affection to a young white girl who worked in the same store. Howard’s father was made to watch as the men drowned his son. Grand jury declined to indict.

Victim(s):

Willie James Howard


Alleged perpetrators/other named individuals:

A. S. Dennis

Phil Goff

A. P. Goff

S. B. McCullers

Reg Scott

Perpetrator group type: [ ]

Date of incident: 1944-01-02
Location: Live Oak, Suwannee County, Florida
Location type: public space - rural
Allegation against victim: writing a love letter to a young white girl

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

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

FBI case ID:

Miami 44-47

DOJ case ID:

144-18-25


Document(s):
advocacy group resources
federal agency records
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