Killing of Johnny Gibbs Dunn in Georgia in 1953

Incident

Case summary

Johnny Gibbs Dunn, 20, was killed in 1953 by prison guard John Lanier in Wayne County, Georgia. Dunn had asthma. He sought to be excused from work.. A guard beat him with a stick. Dunn grabbed and held onto the stick. Lanier then fatally shot Dunn. Grand jury declined to indict.

Victim(s):

Johnny Gibbs Dunn


Alleged perpetrators/other named individuals:

John Lanier

Perpetrator group type: police

Date of incident: 1953-12-09
Location: Jesup, Wayne County, Georgia
Location type: carceral location
Allegation against victim: refusing to work in the water on a cold December day while suffering from asthma "or some other ailment"; resisting a guard's attempt to beat him

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

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

DOJ case ID:

144-20-160


Document(s):
death certificates
federal agency records
police reports
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