Killing of Joe Hodnett in Virginia in 1938

Incident

Case summary

Joe Hodnett, age 24, a laborer, was killed in 1938 by state police officer George Moore in Danville, Pittsylvania County, Virginia. Hodnett was accused of stealing automobile licenses and an automobile trailer. When Moore, along with Sheriff Overby, Deputy Sheriff Simpson, and an unnamed constable, tried to arrest Hoddnett, Hodnett tried to flee. Moore and Simpson fired. Judge Bennett dismissed charges against Simpson. It appears that a grand jury declined to indict Moore.

Victim(s):

Alleged perpetrators/other named individuals:
Perpetrator group type: police

Date of incident: 1938-10-15
Location: Chatham, Pittsylvania County, Virginia
Location type: private space - commercial
Allegation against victim: stealing automobile licenses

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

Criminal process
Arrest: [ ]
Charge/indictment/information: no
Grand jury: [ ]
Trial: [ ]
Conviction: [ ]
Sentence: [ ]


Document(s):
advocacy group resources
death certificates - closed
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